Written Answers Nos. 478-492
478. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of eligible workers for community employment schemes who have been signed up to Turas Nua; the percentage of eligible workers for community employment schemes this represents; the efforts being made to address the crisis of recruiting persons for community employment schemes throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38369/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most distant from the labour market to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. My Department has contracted two companies, Turas Nua and Seetec JobPath, to provide the service.
All persons engaged with JobPath may also be eligible for a placement on CE. From 1st June 2018, I broadened access by allowing persons to take up a placement on CE while also attending their JobPath provider.
This facilitates the combination of the strengths of the two programmes - by enabling those people with the JobPath service to avail of a CE placement and in turn benefit from the job-seeking support of their JobPath personal advisor while also availing of a quality training and development opportunity provided by a CE scheme.
The Deputy will appreciate that the welcome reduction in the unemployment rate is a factor in recruitment to all programmes. The Government is very mindful of the large number of work programme places involved in service delivery and other valuable services around the country. In this regard if any scheme is experiencing particular recruitment difficulties, they should contact their local Department Intreo Centre for assistance.
479. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received guarantees from the UK Government that the portability and payment of British pensions to older persons resident here will not be affected by the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union; the guarantees and measures which will be put in place to safeguard the financial security of Irish residents in receipt of UK pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38440/18]
View answerIt is important to note that social security arrangements between the UK and the EU27 have not changed. The future operation of arrangements will, of course, be determined as part of the complex process of negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.
My key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes and child benefit between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland. The importance of maintaining the Common Travel Area was acknowledged in Prime Minister May’s letter of 29 March 2017 triggering Article 50 of the TEU, the Joint EU/UK Progress report agreed at the European Council on 15 December 2017 and in the protocol to the draft Withdrawal Agreement published by the Commission on 28 February 2018. It has also been acknowledged in the technical paper issued by the UK Government on 13 September.
I met with the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Right Honourable Esther McVey, on Monday 23 April 2018. I emphasised my objective of ensuring that the reciprocity of social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the Common Travel Area, are safeguarded and maintained. I am happy that we have a broad agreement to preserve the status quo in that regard.
I have a dedicated team in my Department which is conducting a deep analysis of scenarios on a scheme by scheme basis and contingency planning is ongoing for all outcomes, including a no-deal or worst-case outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
480. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [38452/18]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 18 July 2018. The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 3 October 2018.
Arrears of payment due will issue once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any other social welfare payments received since 18 July.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
481. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review has been carried out on the pilot scheme which allowed those aged 62 years of age and over to remain on a community employment scheme until their retirement age; if this pilot scheme will now be extended to remove the restrictions on the numbers both nationally and within each scheme; her views on whether this scheme has been effective in relieving the crisis of recruitment within community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38453/18]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is a programme providing part-time temporary work in local communities, including opportunities for training and development, as a stepping-stone back to employment. The CE programme provides funding for participants aged up to 66 years of age who meet the current eligibility criteria.
A pilot initiative known as the Service Support Stream (SSS) was implemented in January 2016. This enabled 7% of participants aged 62 years and over to extend their participation beyond the standard maximum participation limits and to remain on CE up to State pension age, provided the participant continued to meet the eligibility conditions and the number of places on the scheme was not exceeded. The total number of places allocated nationally to the SSS for the 12 month period of 2016 was 1,600 places, which represented 7% of the total number of active CE places. To date, all places have not been utilised.
A commitment given by Government to review the SSS is now completed. Overall the scheme for over 62’s has been positively received by Sponsors, Community Groups who benefit from the service of CE and the participants who have availed of the pilot scheme. My Department has examined the recommendations, which includes re-visiting the number of places available to the SSS. I have recently permitted persons on reaching age 62 to apply for one of these places rather than completing a waiting period, in some cases up to 12 months following the break in their previous CE participation. This should assist in filling some of the places available on the SSS.
The Deputies will appreciate that the welcome reduction in the unemployment rate is a factor in recruitment to all programmes. The Government is very mindful of the large number of work programme places involved in service delivery and other valuable services around the country. In this regard if any scheme is experiencing particular recruitment difficulties, they should contact their local Department Intreo Centre for assistance.
482. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amalgamate Tús and community employment programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38454/18]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, there is provision for almost €840m to be spent on working age employment supports provided by my Department in 2018. It is recognised by Government that work schemes such as Tús and Community Employment are positive initiatives that enable the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment. Various community services and activities are directly and indirectly supported by participants through these programmes and initiatives.
Tús was introduced and numbers on other schemes expanded as a direct response to the growth in the level of unemployment during the financial crisis. As the economy continues to recover and the overall level of unemployment continues to fall, the Department recognises the need to adapt these work schemes to the changing circumstances, opportunities and needs of jobseekers and others.
The Department will continue to review these schemes and continue to work with stakeholders in planning the longer term needs of jobseekers and other customers. It remains committed to ensuring that the social inclusion and community benefits that accrue from these schemes continue to be recognised and supported. I do not have any plans to amalgamate the two schemes as suggested by the Deputy.
483. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of community employment supervisors' pay and pensions; if she has engaged with the Minister for Finance regarding the provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38458/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, CE scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. They are not employees of my Department or public servants, and as such were not subject to pay reductions under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) which only applied to public servants.
The issue of CE Supervisor pensions is currently being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform who are taking the lead on this matter. A number of Departments, including my own Department, are represented on this group, as are the unions and Pobal.
A detailed scoping exercise was carried out with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland. The exercise clearly illustrated that this matter presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost to the State of €188 million per annum in respect of funding to enable an employer pension contribution in State funded Community and Voluntary organisations, excluding any provision for immediate ex gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could, depending on the size of the sector, entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.
I am very conscious that while the issue relates to Community Employment supervisors and assistant supervisors, such individuals comprise of just one small group within the wider Community and Voluntary sector.
Any provision of State funding for such a scheme in respect of those employees could potentially give rise to claims for similar schemes on the part of those in the broader sector, thus crystallising the potential level of liability. Any solution to this issue will require careful consideration, in particular the implications for scarce Exchequer resources.
484. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the value of the carer's allowance payable will be increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38465/18]
View answerThe Department provides a range of income supports to assist carers. These include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer's Support Grant. The 2018 Revised Estimates provide an allocation of over €1.18 billion for these schemes (€789.1 million for Carer's Allowance , €35.9 million for Carer's Benefit, €153.1 million for Domiciliary Care Allowance and €207.7 million for the Carer's Support Grant), representing an increase of over €138 million from the 2017 allocation for these schemes.
It should be noted that Carer’s Allowance recipients automatically qualify for the Carer's Support Grant, an annual payment of €1,700, which is not means-tested or taxed. Carer's Allowance recipients also qualify for Free Travel and, if they are living with the person they are caring for, the Household Benefits package.
The appropriate rates of income supports, including supports for carers, will be considered by Government in the context of the Budget, in light of available resources and other priorities. In this regard, each €1 increase in the weekly rate of Carer's Allowance (including proportionate increases for qualified adults) is estimated to cost €3.3 million in 2019. This cost is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019.
485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for fuel allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38466/18]
View answerFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.
The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons. The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory). The applicant and their spouse can have a combined weekly household income of €100.00 above the maximum rates for state pension (contributory) and Increase for qualified adult and still be eligible for a fuel allowance.
The person concerned is in receipt of an occupational pension in addition to their State pension entitlements. This brings their household means over the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes.
For every means limit set, there will be applicants who exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, and fail to qualify. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 11 April 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
486. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure savings that are earmarked for her Department for 2019 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2019. [38485/18]
View answerThe Mid-Year Expenditure Report (MYER) sets out the starting baseline in relation to the gross voted expenditure for 2019. As outlined in the MYER, the technical pre-Budget position for current expenditure is the current expenditure allocation for this year set out in REV 2018 plus an additional allocation for certain demographic pressures and the Department's share of unallocated carryover costs relating to 2018 measures. This pre-Budget position will be adjusted to reflect the allocation to the Department of a central provision in relation to the Public Service Stability Agreement.
The capital ceiling set out in the MYER is consistent with the ceiling for 2019 published in the National Development Plan.
The figures set out in the MYER do not include expenditure savings targets specifically earmarked for my Department. However, as usual as part of the Estimates process, my Department will be examining the allocations across its programme areas, including taking into account expenditure trends in 2018, to identify how services can be delivered within the overall fiscal parameters for 2019.
487. 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. [38495/18]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 9 July 2018.
One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of CA is that the applicant must be providing full-time care and attention. Based on the evidence submitted in support of this application, a deciding officer has disallowed the application on the grounds that this condition was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 20 September 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
488. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38504/18]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.
To qualify for WFP a person must be engaged in full time remunerative employment as an employee for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight (or 19 hours per week). It is also possible to combine hours worked with a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to satisfy this condition.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 12th September 2018.
The applicant has been awarded WFP with effect from 05th July 2018 to 29th August 2018. The award period is effective to 29th August 2018 only as the applicant is no longer engaged in full-time remunerative employment. The person concerned is currently in receipt of maximum rate Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) with effect from 30th August 2018. (WFP is not payable with JB)
The total WFP payment owing will issue shortly to the applicant's nominated bank account as arrears.
The person concerned was notified on 21st September 2018 of this decision and of their right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
489. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for jobseeker's allowance might be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38609/18]
View answerThe person concerned made an application for a Jobseeker's Allowance payment in December 2017. The application was disallowed by the Deciding Officer as it was deemed that the person concerned had means in excess. The person concerned appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, and a decision is awaited.
The person concerned has no pending application for a Jobseeker's Allowance Payment at this time.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
490. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of hours per week that workers on the job initiative scheme are required to work; if this includes time for tea breaks in the morning and afternoon; the length of lunch break provided for; if time for lunch breaks is included in the working hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38632/18]
View answerThe Job Initiative (JI) Programme is one of a range of activation supports and programmes provided by my Department, catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market.
The JI programme is sponsored by local community groups/statutory organisations (Managing Agents) wishing to benefit the local community. My Department provides financial support in the form of allowances and funding to assist with the programme, including wages, materials/overheads grants and training grants.
The Managing Agent is entitled to claim funding towards the cost of wages. In general employees work 39 hours per week, excluding breaks. Funding is not provided to cover the cost of breaks.
As the employer, the Managing Agent is responsible for all matters concerning the management and welfare of participants. It is their responsibility to be familiar with all relevant employment legislation and to ensure that statutory entitlements with regards to breaks are met.
491. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if all arrears will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38635/18]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 2 May 2018.
Carer's allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 10 September 2018 with effect from 3 May 2018. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 4 October 2018.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of another social welfare payment. Arrears of CA will be due for the period from 3 May 2018 to 3 October 2018 and will be calculated once the other social welfare payment has been stopped.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
492. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38674/18]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 15th February 2018. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 23rd April 2018 setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
An appeal of this decision was requested on the 28th May 2018. As part of the appeals process the application was reviewed by a deciding officer who determined that a revised decision was not warranted. The person concerned was notified of this decision on the 22nd August 2018. On 30th August 2018 additional medical information was received which was forwarded to the Department's Medical Assessor. The application will again be re-viewed by a deciding officer and a revised decision will be made if warranted. If the decision is not revised, the case will be referred for consideration by the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the deciding officer's review as soon as it is completed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
