Written Answers Nos. 1769-1788
1769. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the Central Bank’s new metric, the non-employment index, and the finding that 888,708 persons of working age between 15 to 64 fall into this non-employed category. [38305/17]
View answerThe employment rate for people aged 15-64 is just over 65%. This means that, according to the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) for Q1 2017 published by the Central Statistics Office in May, there are about 1.05 million people in this age group who are not working. As the employment rate has improved from a low of 59% in early 2011, the number of non-working people in this age group has fallen by about 230,000 from its then level of 1.27 million.
The non-working group published in the QNHS includes, as well as the unemployed, other categories such as students, full-time carers, people who are unable to work due to disability, and people who may have retired early.
I understand that these existing QNHS categories, combined with past QNHS data on transitions to employment from each of the various categories, have now been used by the Central Bank to produce a “non-employment index” – a weighted average of the estimated trend in potential availability for work among people in each category. The index for the most recent quarter is given as 7.9% of the relevant population – suggesting that the availability of potential workers aged 15 to 65 available to enter employment in the near term is of the order of 240,000 – i.e. somewhat greater than the figure of 150,000 unemployed in that quarter, but less than a quarter of the 1.05 million people in the same age group who are not working.
It has always been clear that jobs, when created, are taken up not just by the unemployed but also by other groups outside the labour force – particularly new entrants from education and people returning to the workforce after a period when they were engaged, for example, in full-time caring. The work by the Central Bank is a useful attempt to quantify the scale of this labour availability based on historic data on take-up of employment by these groups.
As unemployment falls, government policies under the Pathways to Work strategy are increasingly focused on supporting active labour market participation by people currently outside the workforce – particularly carers and those with disabilities.
1770. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38558/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 June 2017. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 31 July 2017 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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.
1771. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the entitlements of persons to a State pension (contributory) whose insurance contributions records were interrupted due to periods in receipt of farm assist while farm incomes were low; if the periods that persons were on farm assist can be credited for insurance contribution purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36775/17]
View answerThe farm assist scheme was introduced in 1999 to provide income support for low income farmers. It replaced the former smallholders’ unemployment assistance payment. In line with the then existing arrangements for unemployment assistance (including smallholders) and pre-retirement allowance, the income of farm assist recipients was exempt from class S PRSI for self-employed workers.
Recipients of farm assist who had previously paid Class S social insurance had the option of paying voluntary contributions to maintain their social insurance record, provided they satisfied the qualifying conditions. Since 1 January 2007, the exemption from class S PRSI has been removed and those receiving jobseeker’s allowance and farm assist are subject to Class S PRSI as self-employed contributors on their self-employed income, provided their annual income is €5,000 or more.
There are no plans to amend legislation regarding the State pension (contributory), to award a maximum rate payment to pensioners who had such a period during 1999-2006 when they were exempt from PRSI.
However, a person aged over 66 with limited PRSI contributions over the course of their life may claim a State pension (non-contributory) if they have an income need, and this entitlement is not based on payment of social insurance contributions. The maximum weekly rate is €227, i.e. over 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate. While it is means-tested, there are very significant disregards which are to the benefit of claimants, and a significant majority of such pensioners are paid at the full rate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1772. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of restoring child benefit to 2008 levels; and the estimated cost of restoring the higher rates of child benefit for second and subsequent children to 2008 levels. [36832/17]
View answerChild 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 around 627,000 families in respect of some 1.2 million children, with an estimated expenditure of over €2 billion in 2017.
Between 2000 and 2009, there were significant increases in Child Benefit payments and during that period overall expenditure on Child Benefit grew from €638 million to approximately €2.5 billion per year. This reflected a policy focus on targeting additional resources towards the provision of universal child income supports. Child Benefit is paid on such a basis i.e. without regard to household income.
Between 2009 and 2013 a number of reductions were made to Child Benefit as cost saving measures designed to reduce overall public expenditure with a view to restoring stability to the public finances.
Budget 2009 provided for the reduction of the maximum age for which Child Benefit is paid. A half rate payment was paid in respect of those aged 18 years in 2009 and from 2010 Child Benefit was no longer paid in respect of those aged 18. Child Benefit rates were reduced in both Budgets 2010 and 2011. Budget 2011 reduced the lower and higher rates of Child Benefit to €140 and €177 per month respectively and also introduced a third Child Benefit rate of €167 per month.
Budget 2012 maintained Child Benefit rate for the first and second child at €140 per month while reducing the monthly rate for the third child to €148 and for the fourth and each subsequent child to €160. It also proposed to standardise Child Benefit at a rate of €140 per month for all children from 2013. Budget 2012 also provided for the discontinuation of the grant of €635 paid at birth on all multiple births and when multiple birth children are 4 years of age and 12 years of age.
Budget 2013 reduced Child Benefit rates to €130 per month for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd child while Child Benefit rates for the 4th and subsequent children were set at €140 per month as announced in Budget 2012. From January 2014, the monthly rate in respect of the 4th and subsequent children was set at €130. No new changes to Child Benefit were introduced in Budget 2014.
In 2015 the monthly Child Benefit rate increased by €5, from €130 to €135 and in Budget 2016 there was a further €5 increase in the rate, from €135 to €140 per month.
Given the numerous changes made to Child Benefit since 2008 it is difficult to cost with accuracy reversing all the changes to the scheme since 2008. However, using all the available data it is estimated that the cost of restoring child benefit to 2008 levels would be in the region of €627 million. This figure includes an estimated cost of €522 million to restore the higher rates of child benefit for second and subsequent children.
1773. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider introducing new labour activation supports for unemployed persons who do not quality for a basic social welfare payment due to their household means or ongoing medical treatment or who were previously self-employed and are unable to access private training opportunities; and her plans to broaden the access criteria for schemes such as community employment or the back to education allowance. [36876/17]
View answerThe key objective of activation policy and labour market initiatives is to offer assistance to those most in need of support in securing work and achieving financial self-sufficiency. This policy objective prioritises resources to those in receipt of qualifying welfare payments – Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance – that are conditional on the recipient being actively seeking and available for employment, as well as, in the case of Jobseeker’s Allowance, meeting a means test. The employment services and schemes provided by the Department are focused in the first instance on this cohort of unemployed people.
Many other services are also available to people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment. For example, employment services, such as advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools, are available to people if they register with the Department’s Intreo offices regardless of their social welfare status.
Unemployed persons not in receipt of qualifying payments may also be eligible to avail of upskilling opportunities, for example through ETB training for unemployed people, but are not eligible to receive a training allowance while undertaking the course. An unemployed person who does not qualify for a social welfare payment due to the assessment of their means may be eligible to sign for social insurance contribution credits. Persons signing on for credits for 12 months or longer over the previous 18 months are entitled to participate on Momentum courses through Solas, provided that they have been actively seeking work, however they will not receive any payment. Persons signing for credits for six months or more are entitled to participate on ETB-run VTOS courses subject to availability. In the case of VTOS courses, participants do not receive a training allowance but may receive travel and lunch allowances. Springboard and Skillnets courses for unemployed people, funded through the Department of Education and Skills, are also open to people regardless of their social welfare status.
In addition, the Qualified Adult Dependent of a person in receipt of one of the qualifying payments for BTEA purposes may be approved for BTEA provided they establish an entitlement to a BTEA qualifying payment in their own right and subject to satisfying all other BTEA conditions. Those in receipt of a number of other qualifying payments (including One-Parent Family Payment and Disability Allowance) may be approved for BTEA subject to satisfying all BTEA conditions.
Action 26.5 of the current Pathways to Work Strategy commits to examining the supports required to facilitate greater participation by people with disabilities, single parents, qualified adults and individuals in need of greater support in education and training. Having reviewed this action, the Department is satisfied at present that existing supports are sufficient but will continue to review the situation in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills and SOLAS.
The Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.
1774. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for delays in processing applications for domiciliary care allowance; and the reason for the delay in the case of a person (details supplied). [36889/17]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from this lady on the 29th March 2017. This lady was notified on 30 August 2017 that her domiciliary care allowance claim has been awarded from 1 October 2016. The first payment of the allowance, along with arrears due will issue on 19 September 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1775. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person that is 18 years of age and has finished second level education cannot receive social protection payments until September in view of the fact that their parents are on the live register and have no other means to support them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36892/17]
View answerThe jobseeker’s allowance scheme provides income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. The 2017 Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseeker’s allowance scheme of €2.16 billion.
Social welfare legislation provides that a person is not entitled to jobseeker’s allowance while attending a course of study. This disqualification also extends to the holiday periods, including the summer holidays. It also provides that a person shall be regarded as attending a course of study:-
- For 3 months immediately following the completion or the leaving by that person of second level education or the completion by him or her of the leaving certificate examination of the Department of Education and Skills, whichever is the later;
- For the duration of an academic year, or
- For the period immediately following the completion of one academic year, other than the final academic year of a course of study, up to the beginning of the following year.
The disqualification for three months is a targeted measure aimed at protecting young people from welfare dependency. If school leavers or college students were eligible for a jobseeker’s payment for the summer months it could prove a significant disincentive for them to continue their education.
Where the young person’s parent is in receipt of a social welfare payment, an increase for a qualified child can continue to be paid in respect of that young person for the three months referred to above, subject to the scheme conditionality being satisfied.
There are currently no plans to change the current arrangements in this regard and any changes to these provisions could only be considered in the context of the Budget.
1776. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider an exemption for wards of court funds from the calculation of disability allowance for persons in budget 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36903/17]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides that all income and property (excluding the family home) of the claimant and his or her spouse/partner is assessable for means assessment purposes of social assistance schemes.
The purpose of contingency based income support payments such as Disability Allowance is to provide an income to those who have no other source of income (or only a very limited level of income). The assessment of means is a way of checking if a person has access to an income or if their income is so low as to warrant an income support payment. In this regard, a person who is a ward of court is treated in the same manner as any other social welfare claimant.
All means tested schemes assess capital assets (other than the family home) with an initial amount of capital that is disregarded for means purposes. For most social assistance schemes, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Farm Assist, One-Parent Family Payment and the State Pension Non-Contributory, the first €20,000 of capital is disregarded. In the case of Disability Allowance, the initial disregard is significantly higher at €50,000. This means, for example, that a Disability Allowance claimant with €50,000 in savings (and no other means) can be assessed as having nil means and, as a result, receive the maximum rate of Disability Allowance.
It should be noted that a claimant of Disability Allowance, or indeed other social welfare payments, can ask for a review of their welfare entitlement at any stage. Should the value of a claimant’s funds have decreased, this may generate an entitlement or an increase to a social welfare payment.
1777. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) regarding carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36908/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 6 June 2017. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8 August 2017 and the case 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 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 on social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1778. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grounds upon which an appeal for jobseeker's allowance was refused following oral hearing in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36934/17]
View answer1779. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grounds upon which an appeal for jobseeker's allowance was refused following an oral hearing in the case of a person (details supplied) who submitted extra documentation as required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36943/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1778 and 1779 together.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, including extra documentation as required and the evidence adduced at oral hearing, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned as he does not fulfil the statutory requirement of the habitual residence condition for receipt of a social assistance payment.
The person concerned was advised of the Appeals Officer’s decision by notification dated 9 May 2017 which outlined in detail the reasons for his decision. The basis and reasons for the Appeals Officer’s decision was also notified to the Deputy on 28 July 2017.
In summary, the Appeals Officer noted that the person concerned satisfied a means test and as an EU citizen has a right to reside in Ireland as a jobseeker in accordance with Article 6(2) of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 548 of 2015). However, Article 17(2) (a) of S.I. 548 of 2015 also prescribes that a person whose right to reside derives solely from Article 6(2) shall not be entitled to receive assistance under the Social Welfare Acts.
The Appeals Officer also concluded that the person concerned has not established a centre of interest in Ireland which presents a realistic prospect of supporting an intention of ongoing residence here without reliance on social welfare payments and therefore the person concerned does not satisfy the statutory habitual residence condition.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1780. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of political staff employed in her Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant staff; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within her Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [36959/17]
View answerThe following tables provide a breakdown of political staff employed in this Department for the years requested:
|
An Tánaiste Joan Burton TD |
||
|
Year: 2015 |
||
|
Position held |
Annual salary |
|
|
Chief of Staff to the Tánaiste |
€144,550 |
|
|
Economic Advisor to the Tánaiste |
€114,424 |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Tánaiste |
€79,401 |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Tánaiste |
€78,670 |
|
|
Personal Assistant to the Tánaiste |
€49,794 |
|
|
Personal Secretary to the Tánaiste |
€38,945 |
|
|
Communications Executive |
€47,458 |
|
|
Correspondence Co-ordinator |
€38,945 |
|
|
Personal Secretary to the Minister of State |
€49,405 |
|
|
Personal Assistant to the Minister of State |
€52,411 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
An Tánaiste Joan Burton TD |
||
|
2016 (January 2016 to May 2016) |
||
|
Position held |
Annual salary |
|
|
Chief of Staff to the Tánaiste |
€144,550 |
|
|
Economic Advisor to the Tánaiste |
€114,424 |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Tánaiste |
€79,401 |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Tánaiste |
€78,670 |
|
|
Personal Assistant to the Tánaiste |
€49,794 |
|
|
Personal Secretary to the Tánaiste |
€38,945 |
|
|
Communications Executive |
€47,458 |
|
|
Correspondence Co-ordinator |
€38,945 |
|
|
Personal Secretary to the Minister of State |
€49,405 |
|
|
Personal Assistant to the Minister of State |
€52,411 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Minister Leo Varadkar TD |
||
|
From May 2016 to Dec 2016 |
||
|
Position held |
Annual salary |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Minister |
€99,370 |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Minister |
€87,258 |
|
|
Policy and Parliamentary Adviser |
Employed by Houses of the Oireachtas |
|
|
Personal Secretary |
Employed by Houses of the Oireachtas |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Minister Leo Varadkar TD |
||
|
January 2017 to June 2017 |
||
|
Position held |
Annual salary |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Minister |
€99,370 |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Minister |
€87,258 |
|
|
Policy and Parliamentary Adviser |
Employed by Houses of the Oireachtas |
|
|
Personal Secretary |
Employed by Houses of the Oireachtas |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Minister Regina Doherty TD |
||
|
June 2017 to date |
||
|
Position held |
Annual salary |
|
|
Special Advisor to the Minister |
€81,767 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State |
€32,964 |
|
|
Personal assistant |
Employed by Houses of the Oireachtas |
|
|
Personal Secretary |
Employed by Houses of the Oireachtas |
|
1781. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated yearly cost of increasing the living alone allowance from €9 to €15 per week; her views on the fact that persons living alone have higher costs than couples; her plans to increase the living alone allowance in budget 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37039/17]
View answerThe living alone increase is an additional payment of €9 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State pensions, and who are living alone. It is also available to people who are less than 66 years of age, living alone and in receipt of disability allowance, invalidity pension, incapacity supplement or blind pension. The objective of the payment is to compensate for the additional individual costs of living alone when compared to a couple or family.
The cost of raising the living alone increase from €9 to €15 per week is estimated to be €62.8 million in 2018. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018.
The appropriate rates of welfare payments in 2018, including the weekly rate of the living alone increase, will be considered in the context of the Government’s discussions on the next Budget.
According to the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice (VPSJ), as set out in Minimum Essential Standard of Living 2017, the minimum income standard for a pensioner living alone and in receipt of a weekly social welfare payment is €216.38 per week. Currently, a state pension non-contributory recipient receives the equivalent of a weekly income support of c. €255.30 per week, which is in excess of this standard.
Similarly, the minimum income standard, according to the VPSJ, for a single working age adult living alone is €214.69 per week. Currently, a recipient of disability allowance receives the equivalent weekly income of c. €221.30 per week, which again is in excess of this standard.
1782. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there will be changes to sick pay in the next budget; if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37151/17]
View answerIllness Benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. One of the PRSI conditions is that a person must have a minimum of 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. Claims made in 2017 are governed by the 2015 tax year, and only PRSI Classes A, E, H, and P are reckonable for Illness Benefit purposes.
The person concerned made a claim to Illness Benefit and this claim was received in my Department on 20 July 2017. This claim was disallowed as the person concerned does not satisfy the above contribution criteria. According to my Department’s records the person concerned has no reckonable contributions or credits for the 2015 year.
The person concerned has been notified of this decision.
If the person concerned is unable to meet their needs or the needs of their household, they may be entitled to Supplementary Welfare Allowance and should contact their local Intreo centre.
The PRSI contribution conditions governing entitlement to Illness Benefit are statutory and cannot be either waived or modified in any particular case. Any amendments to the qualifying conditions for the scheme would have to be considered in the light of available resources.
Final decisions have not been taken in respect of any Budget matters.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1783. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37334/17]
View answerI confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by my department on 12 April 2017.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The SWI has contacted the person concerned previously to arrange an interview. However, the person concerned was unable to attend. The SWI will contact this lady again to rearrange an interview. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1784. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37335/17]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1785. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37336/17]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1786. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37337/17]
View answerMy Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 November 2016. The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim. The person concerned failed to provide the SWI with information that was required to determine if her means were below the statutory limit.
As the requested information was not supplied it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA.
The application was also disallowed on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care and attention as required.
The person concerned was notified on 25 May 2017 of these decisions, the reason for them and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has appealed this decision and has also requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of the review. However some requested financial documentation is still outstanding. Once this information is received the review will be completed without delay and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1787. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount allocated to the community services programme support fund in 2016 and 2017; the number of applications made to the support fund in 2016 and 2017; and the amount paid out in 2016, and to date in 2017. [37349/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the community services programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies that provide revenue generating services of a socially inclusive nature. The contribution from the CSP is towards the wage costs of the companies. My Department does not set the wage rate but requires the payment of appropriate wage rates, consistent with local norms.
My Department established a CSP Support Fund for a fixed period of time (2016-2018) to assist existing services funded under the programme in enhancing their sustainability as social enterprises so that they might be more able to pay the minimum wage. Funding is provided on a sliding scale for up to 3 years from 2016 to 2018.
In 2016, the approved support budget was €515,050. In 2017 the budget is €317,225.
A total of 243 applications to the Fund were received in 2016. Of these, 166 were approved for payment. A total of €515,050 was paid out of the support fund in respect of 2016 allocations. A total of €237,919 has been paid out to date in respect of 2017 allocations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1788. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of domiciliary care applications received, approved and rejected, respectively, in each of the years 2014 to 2016, and to date in 2017; the number of appeals submitted, upheld and rejected, respectively, in each of the same periods, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37350/17]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance claims 2014 to August 2017;
|
Year |
Applications Received |
Approved |
Not approved |
|
2014 |
5743 |
3104 |
2062 |
|
2015 |
6422 |
4186 |
2102 |
|
2016 |
7434 |
4996 |
1683 |
|
2017* *To end of August |
5772 |
3801 |
970 |
Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals 2014 to June 2017;
|
Year |
Appeals Submitted |
Appeals Allowed |
Appeals Partially Allowed |
Appeals not allowed |
|
2014 |
1193 |
701 |
24 |
334 |
|
2015 |
1258 |
571 |
40 |
266 |
|
2016 |
319 |
162 |
6 |
89 |
|
2017* *to end June |
432 |
186 |
4 |
81 |
