Monday, 11 Sep 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1829-1849

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Questions (1829, 1830)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1829. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the eligibility criteria for persons wishing to participate in community employment schemes; if persons are only deemed eligible for the scheme in circumstances in which they are in receipt of payments from her Department for a specific period such as jobseekers' allowance or jobseekers' benefit, or if all persons signing on are eligible for inclusion as part of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37626/17]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1830. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the eligibility criteria for persons wishing to participate in community work placement schemes; if participants are only deemed eligible for said schemes in circumstances in which they are in receipt of payments from her Department for a specific period such as jobseekers' allowance or jobseekers' benefit, or if all persons signing on eligible for inclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37627/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1829 and 1830 together.

The aim of employment schemes like Community Employment (CE) and Tús is to enhance the employability and skills of unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. These schemes help unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine.

One of the requirements to be eligible to participate on these employment schemes is that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment from my Department for a minimum period of 12 months.

Persons who do not qualify for a social welfare payment but are signing for credited PRSI contributions, do not meet the current eligibility requirements for participation on either CE or the Tús scheme. Persons signing for credits may, however, be eligible for other programmes or support to help them return to work. Such persons are advised to contact their local 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.

Housing Assistance Payment Data

Questions (1831, 1867, 1901)

Seán Haughey

Question:

1831. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the housing assistance payment will eventually replace the long-term rent supplement scheme; if these two schemes are still in existence; the differences between the two schemes; the person or body that administers both schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37628/17]

Joan Burton

Question:

1867. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of households in receipt of rent supplement that have transferred to the housing assistance payment in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38134/17]

Willie O'Dea

Question:

1901. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of households in receipt of rent supplement, by county, in tabular form; the number of households in each county that have rent supplement increased above the prescribed limits for their area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38567/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1831, 1867 and 1901 together.

The rent supplement scheme, administered by my Department, plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting in excess of 38,600 recipients for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017.

In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, the Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case policy approach in the administration of rent supplement that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. In addition, the Protocol arrangement in place with Threshold continues to operate in the areas where supply issues are particularly acute covering Dublin, Cork, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow and Galway City. To date in 2017, in excess of 1,360 recipients have been supported with increased rent payments. A county breakdown of these payments, along with statistics in relation to rent supplements recipients as at end August 2017 is provided in the attached tabular statement.

A key difference between rent supplement and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is their intended target customer base. Under HAP, responsibility for the provision of rental assistance for those with a long-term social housing is met by the local authorities, under the auspices of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG). Rent supplement will continue to be paid to households who are already in the private rented sector but who, generally because of a loss of income through unemployment, require a short term income support to pay their rent.

In general, persons who are in receipt of rent supplement for over 18 months are being requested to contact their local authority to have their housing needs assessed beginning the transfer process to HAP. New applicants who have been deemed as having long term housing needs are being supported by the Local Authorities under HAP directly rather than seeking rent supplement support.

Under HAP, the local authority pays the rent directly to the landlord and the HAP recipient will then pay a rent contribution to the local authority. The rent contribution is a differential rent, which is set by the local authority based on income and the customer’s ability to pay. A significant difference between the HAP scheme and rent supplement is that HAP has been designed to allow households with a long term housing need to secure full-time employment and continue to remain in the scheme. There are currently 26,400 HAP tenancies in place of which some 7,980 (30%) are direct transfers from rent supplement. Details of rent supplement recipients transferring to HAP in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 are provided in the attached tabular statement. Under the targets outlined in the Action plan for Housing and Homelessness - Rebuilding Ireland, the aim is to complete the transfers from rent supplement by 2020.

Officials in my Department continue to work closely with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and local authorities to facilitate the ongoing transfer of cases from rent supplement.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies.

Public Services Card

Questions (1832)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1832. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the implementation of the public services card across the country; if it will become mandatory across all Departments; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37652/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

In all, approx. 2.8m Public Services Cards (PSC) have issued since SAFE registration commenced in 2011. 66% of adults resident in the State have now completed registration to SAFE Level 2 (substantial assurance of identity) which is the minimum for issue of a PSC.

SAFE registration facilities are available at over 100 of the Department’s locations nationally, and in at least one location in every county in the State.

With respect to the use of the PSC by other Departments, I have informed by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that “it is not mandatory for residents in Ireland to be SAFE 2 registered, though a growing number of public services that require proof of identity of individuals will be underpinned by the SAFE 2 standard, ensuring services are provided to the correct people in an efficient manner, while protecting their data. The recently published eGovernment Strategy 2017 – 2020, lists a number of public services for which SAFE 2 registration will be required. Others are likely to be listed in the future. The transition plans, including communications, interim arrangements, exceptions, etc., will be worked through by the Departments with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

SAFE 2 offers a standard way of identifying citizens that will reduce the administrative burden both on the service providers and on the citizens accessing the services. The registration process also offers the most robust identity proofing process to protect personal data used within Government. As such it is Government policy that SAFE registration is required for access to all services that require proof of a person’s identity. The SAFE 2 process is essential for Ireland to be aligned with the EC EIDAS legislation, which is a key aspect of the EC eGovernment Action Plan and Digital Single Market Strategy.”

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (1833, 1834, 1835)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1833. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the types of job schemes that are or will be available for young persons with disabilities in the Cavan, Monaghan and north Meath areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37745/17]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1834. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her Department is improving services for persons with disabilities and mental health issues in the Cavan, Monaghan and north Meath area. [37746/17]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1835. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the investment made by her Department since March 2016 in the Cavan, Monaghan and north Meath area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37747/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1833 to 1835, inclusive, together.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection provides a wide range of work related supports for people with disabilities, which are voluntary in nature.

One of the principal supports is the EmployAbility service, which provides job coach support to people with disabilities in accessing jobs in the open labour market. The service is currently delivered nationwide by 23 limited companies, each with a specific geographical remit and each fully funded by the Department. Cavan, Monaghan and north Meath is serviced by two EmployAbility companies: EmployAbility Cavan/Monaghan and EmployAbility Meath.

Other employment supports available to people with disabilities in the Cavan, Monaghan and North Meath area include the provision of employment subsidies through the Wage Subsidy Scheme, Workplace Adaptation Grants and specialist training courses that are specifically designed for people with disabilities. Furthermore, participation in community employment (CE) schemes and the rural social scheme is also open to people with disabilities.

The Department has rolled out its full Intreo service to people with disabilities who wish to avail of the service on a voluntary basis. In such cases, people with disabilities who present at an Intreo Centre will be offered an interview by an employment support officer with a view to agreeing a suitable action plan. People with disabilities in the Cavan, Monaghan and North Meath areas who wish to access the service can do so at their local Intreo Centres located in Cavan and Navan.

Since June 2015, one of the four pilot projects participating in the Integrating Employment and Mental Health Support Project (IEMHS) was located in Cavan/Monaghan. In this project, my Department has collaborated with the HSE, Genio and Mental Health Reform, with the aim of demonstrating how existing mental health and supported employment (EmployAbility) services can fulfil the best practice Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment. Although this project is currently coming to an end, the project has demonstrated good outcomes through improved integration between mental health services and employment support services. An evaluation report is currently being completed, which will provide lessons for the mainstreaming of this approach.

In relation to the level of investment made by my Department since March 2016 in the Cavan, Monaghan and north Meath area, statistics on expenditure at county level are not compiled by my Department.

The Government remains committed to facilitating increased participation in employment for persons with a disability. The challenge now is to improve on the programmes for people with disabilities by focusing on ability rather than disability and to enhance their potential and achieve greater independence through education, training and employment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Child Benefit Payments

Questions (1836, 1838)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1836. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the costs of reversing all cuts and changes to child benefit since 2008. [37748/17]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1838. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated annual cost of increasing maternity benefits to €300 per week. [37750/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1836 and 1838 together.

The current Child Benefit rate is €140 per month for each child. For twins, the rate is one and a half times the normal monthly rate for each child. For triplets and other multiple births, Child Benefit is paid at double the normal monthly rate for each child, provided at least three of the children remain qualified.

In April 2008, the Child Benefit rate for the first and second child was €166 per month and the rate for the third and subsequent children was €203 per month. At this time, Child Benefit was payable in respect of children who were aged 18 and still in full-time education. There was also a Special Grant of €635 which was payable at birth for all multiple births and further grants of €635 were paid when these children were aged 4 and 12. The cost of implementing all of these measures is estimated to be close to €627 million in 2018.

The cost of increasing both the Maternity and Adoptive Benefits to €300 per week is estimated to be almost €69 million in 2018. In addition, the estimated cost of increasing Paternity Benefit (which is paid at the same rate of €235 per week) to €300 per week is €2.7 million in 2018.

It should be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018.

Maternity Benefit

Questions (1837)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1837. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending paid maternity leave to 42 weeks or 52 weeks. [37749/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Maternity Benefit is paid by my Department and is based on payment of PRSI contributions while working. The current entitlement to paid maternity leave is 26 weeks. The table below estimates the additional cost of increasing the duration of paid maternity leave by 16 weeks to 42 weeks and by 26 weeks to 52 weeks. These estimates are based on the cost for a full year and assume that any increase in duration is implemented from the beginning of the year. The estimated additional cost of extending the duration of maternity benefit is approximately €10.3 million for each extra week, at the current rate of €235 per week.

Estimated annual cost of increasing the duration of maternity benefit based on 2017 rates
No. of additional weeks	Estimated cost (€m)
16	164.8
26	267.8

It should be noted that this costing 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. It should also be noted that there are additional costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups for public/civil servants.

Question No. 1838 answered with Question No. 1836.

Questions Nos. 1839 and 1840 answered with Question No. 1827.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (1841)

Michael Ring

Question:

1841. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an appeal (details supplied) for an invalidity pension will be finalised. [37764/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th 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 Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 18th 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 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.

Question No. 1842 answered with Question No. 1827.

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

Questions (1843)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1843. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funding provided as part of the humanitarian assistance scheme activated after unprecedented flooding occurred in County Donegal during the week of 22 August, 2017; the number of persons in receipt of this assistance from that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37781/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

My Department immediately activated its humanitarian assistance scheme, administered by the local Community Welfare Service (CWS), to assist householders in County Donegal affected by flooding following the recent severe weather conditions.

The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to prevent hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, replacement of household items and in some instances structural repair. In dealing with emergency events of this nature, the Department generally adopts a three stage approach as follows:

- Stage 1 is to provide emergency income support payments (food, clothing and personal items) in the immediate aftermath of the event. A relatively small amount of financial assistance is generally provided initially.

- Stage 2 generally involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items. It is not until the flood water abates and houses dry out that the full extent of the damage to homes will become fully known.

- Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support or works are required. It could take some time before this stage of response commences and this involves a cross Departmental/Agency response. Works carried out can include plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.

The Department has provided financial support under Stage 1 to over 130 affected households and payments are continuing to be processed, including some under Stage 2. The Government has not set a limit on the amount that can be paid to an individual household under this scheme. Levels of payment depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household’s ability to meet these costs ensuring that the funding is appropriately targeted. The scheme is demand led and there is a time-lag between the flooding event and actual claims for financial support.

It is unclear at this time the response the level of funding that will be required to return homes to a habitable condition. However, it is expected that the value of payments under the scheme will increase as we continue to move into Stage 2 and Stage 3 supports.

People seeking assistance under the humanitarian assistance scheme should contact their local Intreo Centre where CWS staff are available to offer assistance or contact the Buncrana Intreo Centre on 074 9364600.

Further information on the scheme is available on the Department’s website: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Humanitarian-Assistance-Scheme.aspx.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (1844)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1844. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37786/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 27 June 2017.

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 4 September 2017 and the first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 26 September 2017.

Arrears of allowance due from 29 June 2017 to 25 September 2017 will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified on 4 September 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (1845)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1845. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal to a decision on a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37787/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 8th August 2017 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.

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.

State Pensions

Questions (1846)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1846. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will respond to the Citizens' Assembly recommendations regarding a mandatory pension scheme to supplement the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37819/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The rate of supplementary pension coverage in Ireland is 47% of the working population and this reduces to 35% when the private sector is considered in isolation. Whilst the State pension provides a reasonable basic level of income and guards against poverty in retirement, if measures are not taken to address this low rate of coverage, many future retirees will experience unwanted reductions in living standards when they reach retirement. Therefore, I would welcome the broad support for reform evident in July 2017 in the Citizen’s Assembly deliberations regarding retirement income and where 87% agreed with the proposal that the Government should introduce some form of mandatory pension scheme to supplement the State pension.

I intend to make pension reform a priority in my term as Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. To this end, I can confirm my intention in the coming months to publish and commence the implementation of a number of measures for the reform of pensions. In addition to a range of other long term reform measures, I will detail proposals for a transition from the current and purely voluntary supplementary pension system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. This reform, where the saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out, will encourage long term saving and asset accumulation amongst those who may otherwise suffer a reduction in living standards at retirement. It will increase the wellbeing, financial security and independence of future retirees.

A review of international auto enrolment retirement systems has confirmed that success is dependent on well tested design and securing member trust. To this end, detailed evidence building and consultation will be undertaken to inform fundamental choices which are required regarding the preferred operational structure and organisational governance for a new system as well as design elements such contribution levels, financial incentives and target membership. Correctly positioning/designing each of these will be critical to the success of any system.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 1847 answered with Question No. 1827.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1848)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1848. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the staff costs to date in 2017, based on her Department's request for 200 additional staff over a four-year period regarding those only directly involved in the public services card project; the staff costs for staff involved in the internal upgrade of the ICT systems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37876/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

In all, 2.8m Public Services Cards (PSC) have issued since SAFE registration commenced in 2011, and 66% of adults resident in the State have now completed registration to SAFE Level 2 (substantial assurance of identity) , which is the minimum for issue of a PSC.

SAFE registration facilities are available at over 100 of the Department’s locations nationally, and in at least one location in every county in the State. In-person SAFE registrations currently exceed 12,000 weekly.

Currently the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has sanctioned a total of up to 218 posts for the Public Services Card project. These posts include both temporary and permanent roles, and the numbers and locations of deployed staff are kept under constant review to ensure the best use of resources.

As of July 2017 there are 55.63 full-time-equivalent permanent staff (FTE) and 146 Temporary Clerical Officers working on the PSC Project. These figures include four full-time IT staff assigned to the PSC project. This represents a full-year staff cost of €5,857,888.33.

Public Services Card

Questions (1849, 1852, 1930, 1931)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1849. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of helpdesk staff in her Department and the costs associated with calls from customers to request activation of the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37878/17]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1852. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of public services cards produced; the number of cards that have been activated to date in 2017 as, at the end of June 2016, over two million public services cards had been produced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37885/17]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1930. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the outcome of completing the activation process on public services cards with respect to the use of the card; if the card can be used without being activated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38976/17]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1931. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of non-activated public services cards that are in circulation; the steps she is taking to ensure they are in the possession of the correct person; the safeguards in place to ensure non-activated cards are not used by persons other than the correct cardholder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38977/17]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1849, 1852, 1930 and 1931 together.

In all, approximately 2.8m Public Services Cards (PSC) have issued since SAFE registration commenced in 2011.

At the time of the commencement of the roll-out of the Public Services Card (PSC) in 2011, the then Data Protection Commissioner requested that controls be put place to ensure that PSCs were getting to the correct people. As a result, the Department requested that customers, on receipt of their PSC, make contact by telephone to confirm receipt of their card. This process was known as ‘activation’.

As part of the procurement of the production, personalisation, distribution and management of the PSC, the managed service provider was charged with the provision of a helpdesk facility to deal with customer enquiries including ‘activation’ calls. The number of staff on the helpdesk is dependent on the call volumes at any time.

Things have changed since the Data Protection Commissioner’s original request. Firstly, the PSC is sent to an address that has already been verified during the SAFE registration process within days of that process, i.e., there is no delay between registration and issuance of the card. Secondly, as more public bodies use the PSC and with the introduction of MyGovID, the opportunities for confirmation that cards have been received by the correct person have increased. Thirdly, the registration process now facilitates the capture and verification of mobile phone details. Accordingly, the Department considered that the ‘activation’ service was no longer required and decided to cease asking customers to ring to confirm receipt of their PSC with effect from August 2016.

There is no activation process for cards post issue. All issued cards are valid.

Calls to the customer support helpdesk (the majority of which were ‘activation’ calls) up to September 2016 cost €3.1 million including VAT.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.