Written Answers Nos. 1850-1868
1850. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated costs of developing and issuing public services cards in 2017; if she has made provision for further costs in 2018 and 2019; the cost of the managed service provider contract to date in 2017; the duration of the contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37882/17]
View answerThe roll out of Public Services cards is demand led. As a result it isn’t possible to precisely predict the volumes of cards will be issued or their costs over a given period of time. My Department has made a provision of some €5.2M to cover all costs associated with the PSC project in 2017. The Department’s estimates for 2018 and 2019 have not been finalised with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
To the end of July 2017, the latest date for which statistics are available, payments amounting to €3.626M including VAT, have been made to the managed service provider for card production and the provision of a customer helpdesk.
The contract with the managed service provider is scheduled to run to the end of this year.
1851. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will publish the original business case for the SAFE public services card project that was under development in the early 2000s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37883/17]
View answerWhile a single document business case was not produced in the early 2000’s, the Department did endeavour, in as much as was then possible, to set out the constituent elements of a business case in the 2004 and 2005 Memoranda for Government and various associated papers (including the Accourt Study into the PSC and the SAFE Business Requirements).
In his 2015 Report on the Accounts of the Public Services, the C&AG found that elements of a good practice business case were included in several documents examined.
Given the innovative nature of the project and the fact that there weren’t any ready references for comparison purposes, it was not possible in the early stages of the project to determine precise costs and staffing requirements. Accordingly, the Department developed the project in phases and prepared costs and staffing requirements once they became known through these various phases.
The first phase of the project involved the research and design of a card and associated processes. From July 2005 to July 2007 the Department concentrated on the development of the detailed functional specification required for the PSC. It also developed a project proposal for the development and deployment of the PSC and associated infrastructure. This led to a submission in July 2007 to the Department’s Management Board resulting in the Board giving its approval to proceed with the project proposal and with the preparation of a Request for Tender for an outsourced card management service.
The second phase then was to undertake this procurement exercise for a managed services contract for the production of the card. This was completed in 2009 and then provided the Department with definitive costs for this element of the project.
The third phase was the operation of a trial or pilot to test how registration processes and card production facilities would work in practice. Once this was completed it was then possible to determine the staffing levels that would be required to undertake the customer registration processes countrywide. It would not have been possible to determine the staffing requirement in advance of this phase. This was completed in 2011 culminating in the Department’s request for sanction to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in that year.
The fourth phase was implementation which began gradually as resources became available and registration infrastructure was deployed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1853. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that have been referred to Jobpath since its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37912/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The service is delivered by two companies, Seetec and Turas Nua.
The service was rolled out on a phased basis over the period mid-2015 to July 2016. The numbers referred initially were low but this has increased with circa 119,000 Jobseekers having commenced with the service by September 2017. It is important to note, Jobseekers may be supported through the service for up to 30 months - under the service jobseekers have access to a personal adviser (PA) who works with them over two phases. During the first phase, of 12 months duration, the PA provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment. The second phase starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work. During this phase the PA continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months. In addition to the two phases Jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months.
1854. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of places available on community employment schemes; the number of persons participating in community employment schemes from 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37913/17]
View answerThe aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. The programme helps break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market. My Department is also conscious of the valuable contribution these schemes are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland.
The Department for Employment Affairs and Social Protection assumed responsibility for the Community Employment (CE) Programme from FÁS in January 2012. The number of participants employed on CE schemes nationally as at the end of December 2012 to end of June 2017 is as follows;
- 2012: 21,081
- 2013: 22,575
- 2014: 23,249
- 2015: 22,813
- 2016: 22,356
- 2017: 22,053
The number of people on CE fluctuates on an ongoing basis as vacancies arise and are filled on schemes. With reducing numbers on the Live Register, which is the main target cohort for CE, demand for places may also vary.
CE Sponsors advertise their vacancies free-of-charge on the Department's JobsIreland website - www.jobsireland.ie. Posting vacancies is a relatively simple process and a dedicated video tutorial is available on the site to assist sponsors. Anyone requiring further assistance can contact my Department’s National Contact Centre by phone at Lo Call 1890 800 024 or (01) 248 1398, or by email at jobsireland@welfare.ie.
Jobseekers can also view CE vacancies online. Eligible candidates are referred to sponsors by case officers in the local Intreo office. My Department continues to refer candidates, so I would advise sponsors who have any recruitment concerns to contact their local Intreo office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1855. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider amending the criteria to enable those referred to JobPath to avail of a place on a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37914/17]
View answer1857. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review JobPath in view of the impact that it is having on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37916/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1855 and 1857 together.
The aim of the JobPath service, which is provided for jobseekers only, is to assist them in finding sustainable full-time paid employment. Community Employment ( CE) schemes provide part-time work experience and training opportunities in local communities as a stepping stone back to employment for people on a range of Social Welfare payments including those on long term unemployment payments, however they are not full-time jobs.
Customers who on the date of their referral to JobPath have a written offer with a start date within four weeks for CE or TÚS will be facilitated to take up the placement. Additionally, in a small number of exceptional cases, which are assessed on a case by case basis, my Department may facilitate a customer to move from one activation support to another.
Jobseekers who are already participating with the JobPath service will not be referred to CE as they can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time. This allows the service providers’ sufficient time to work with the participants in order to develop their skills and competencies to pursue suitable job opportunities which may result in sustainable employment and also to ensure that the best use is made of the available places on all activation supports. .
Those jobseekers that have completed their 52 week engagement with JobPath without finding suitable and sustainable employment are being referred back to their Intreo centres for an assessment by one of my Department’s case officers. They may then apply for other activation supports such as CE, thus ensuring ongoing availability to all schemes.
My Department keeps all aspects of its activation programmes under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants and earlier this year the Government approved the implementation of a number of changes to the terms and conditions of participation on CE. The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register and to standardise other conditions around the length of time a person can participate on the programme
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1856. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that community employment schemes have reported that they are unable to fill places due to JobPath; if so, the steps she will take to rectify the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37915/17]
View answerMy Department provides a range of activation supports catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These supports include Community Employment (CE) and JobPath.
Job Path aims to place people into full-time sustainable employment. The period of engagement with the service for any individual is typically 52 weeks. During that time they receive intensive individual support to help them overcome barriers to employment.
CE provides part-time temporary work in local communities, including opportunities for training and development as a stepping-stone back to employment, for people in receipt of a range of social welfare payments, including those on a long-term jobseeker’s payment. While CE is a stepping stone back to employment, these positions are not full-time sustainable jobs. These schemes help to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.
It should be noted that my Department recently implemented changes to the terms and conditions of participation on CE. The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register and to standardise other conditions around the length of time a person can participate on the programme. As part of these changes, the general qualifying age for CE for those on the live register has been reduced from 25 to 21 years. It is also now easier for previous participants who have exhausted their CE entitlement to requalify, as participation prior to the year 2007 will be disregarded. In addition those who have completed their year-long engagement with JobPath may, if eligible, apply for a CE vacancy.
If any CE scheme is experiencing particular difficulties, they should contact their local Intreo office for assistance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1858. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal to a decision on disability allowance lodged by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37981/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20th March 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 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.
1859. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in her Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37991/17]
View answer1860. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff deployed full time in her Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38007/17]
View answer1920. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of vacancies in her Department for Brexit-related roles; the expected date for these rolls to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38821/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1859, 1860 and 1920 together.
The Department’s EU and International section, which includes a separate Brexit Unit, is led by an Assistant Secretary. The Brexit Unit has, at present, three additional staff assigned to it and reports directly to the Assistant Secretary. These are two Assistant Principals, one on a full-time basis and one on a four-day per week basis, and one Executive Officer on a four-day per week basis due to worksharing.
In addition to the salary costs for the three extra staff referenced above, an initial €10,000 was assigned to this unit under the Department’s Administrative Budget to cover home travel and subsistence and the cost, where necessary, of facilitating the Department’s Brexit consultative process with key stakeholders. Expenditure, to date, is €7,075.80. Additional expenditure of €4,134.37 has been incurred on airfares, and foreign travel and subsistence associated with Brexit, which is managed under central budgets. It is anticipated that total expenditure for the unit for 2017 will be in the region of €20,000.
Both staffing and funding requirements are being kept under continuous review.
More generally, the Management Board of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has been fully engaged with the social protection implications of the vote by the UK to leave the EU and, indeed, the earlier negotiations on the UK’s relationship with the EU; a sub group of the Management Board is in place and the Board also receives regular updates on the key developments relating to Brexit.
1861. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the drafting, completion and publication of the report investigating bogus self employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38035/17]
View answerAn interdepartmental working group, comprising officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, has been examining the emergence of new forms of employment arrangements, which may involve a degree of disguised employment. These include arrangements i) where an individual, who would otherwise be an employee, establishes a company to provide their services employment and ii) where an individual, who is dependent on and under the control of a single employer in the same manner as an employee, is classified as self-employed.
The working group sought the views of interested parties and stakeholders through a public consultation. The consultation received 23 submissions from interested parties, including employers, trade unions, professional bodies and individuals. The working group is preparing a report which will present the views of these organisations and individuals, together with an analysis of the issues arising. I understand that the working group is currently finalising the report.
I look forward to seeing the report and I will then consider, along with my colleague the Minister for Finance, what changes, if any, might be required.
1862. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) regarding disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38104/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8th 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 2nd August 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.
1863. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) regarding disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38105/17]
View answerI confirm that an application from this gentleman for disability allowance (DA) was received by the department on 15 June 2017. The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. 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.
1864. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community employment schemes that have an assistant supervisor in place as well as the supervisor; the number of persons that are on such schemes; the number of persons required for an assistant supervisor to be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38112/17]
View answer1865. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community employment schemes in the country; the number of persons on these schemes; the number of supervisors on these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38113/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1864 and 1865 together.
The following table outlines the position in relation to the numbers requested by the Deputy as at end March 2017.
|
Total CE schemes |
Total CE Participants |
Total CE Supervisors |
Total CE Assistant Supervisors |
|
953 |
22,121 |
1,129 |
251* |
* This figure represents 212 CE schemes which have both a supervisor and a least one assistant supervisor with a total of 7,285 participants.
My Department makes funding available for supervisory support however Community Employment (CE) sponsors are the legal employers of CE supervisors. The level of supervision required depends on the circumstances pertaining to each particular CE scheme. My Department will consider providing additional supervisory grant support where a CE scheme maintains an approval level of at least 26 or more participants, the Sponsor must submit a detailed job description for the additional supervisory tasks and each application is then examined on a case-by-case basis taking into account the relevant evidence and circumstances.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1866. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount her Department's new name change will cost in terms of rebranding and logos, and the amount of stationery to be replaced; and the cost and tender that was submitted for such costings. [38119/17]
View answerTo minimise the cost implications of the change of the Department’s name, the change to the Department’s logo was done in-house. Also, the Department’s current stationery including information leaflets and application forms will continue to be used and will only be replaced with newly branded items when the existing stocks are depleted. Hence, the Department has not incurred any additional cost from the re-design of its logo or from the changeover to new stationery.
As part of the change of Department name, a number of Department buildings will require a change of signage; however it is not proposed that any changes will be made to Intreo Centre signage. The Department is currently reviewing the signage requirements of individual buildings, with a view to tendering for replacement signs shortly.
Question No. 1868 answered with Question No. 1827.
