Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
568. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the policy on age-related jobseeker's allowance can continue to be justified as a preventative measure for welfare dependency when there is no basis in evidence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49087/18]
View answer571. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the equality and poverty proofing measurements in place to protect jobseekers under 26 years of age particularly those that are experiencing homelessness, those with international protection that are moving out of direct provision and those that have support needs such as mental health and confidence building and that cannot access or participate in activation schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49109/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 571 together.
In line with other EU and OECD jurisdictions reduced jobseeker’s allowance (JA) rates for young unemployed people were introduced to deal with high youth unemployment. Receiving the maximum rate of JA without a strong financial incentive to engage in education, training or employment can lead to long-term welfare dependency from a young age. As a result, if a young jobseeker on a reduced JA payment participates on an education or training programme they receive the maximum weekly personal payment of €198.
The Deputy will be aware that in 2013 the EU adopted a Council Recommendation to member states on a Youth Guarantee. The aim of the EU-wide Youth Guarantee, supported by central EU funding of €6 billion, was to provide young people under the age of 25 with a good quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a short time of becoming unemployed. Many of the elements of a Youth Guarantee were already in place in Ireland prior to the EU Recommendation, so the implementation of the Irish Youth Guarantee focuses on enhancing processes and policies for assisting young unemployed people to secure sustainable jobs. Under the Youth Guarantee process case officers engage with unemployed young people, on a monthly basis, to prepare and implement personal progression plans for employment. Where young people do not find work quickly, additional supports are offered through places on employment and training schemes, which are closely aligned to the needs of the labour market.
The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) which I launched on 24 September 2018 is a new work experience scheme targeted exclusively at young jobseekers, aged 18 to 24, who are either long-term unemployed or face significant barriers to employment. All participants will receive a payment of €229.20 per week from my Department. Participants whose underlying entitlement is in excess of that amount will continue to receive their weekly payment with an additional top-up allowance of €22.50 per week.
These policies have been effective in reducing both youth and long-term unemployment. For example, the most recent data shows that Irish youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of 31.2% in 2012 to 12.0% in October 2018. Irish youth unemployment has thus fallen from well above the EU average in 2012 (23%) to well below the current EU figure of 14.9%.
The Department is also considering the contents of research undertaken by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, which examined the effectiveness of the reduced rates in encouraging young jobseekers to avail of education, training, employment programmes and opportunities. The University examined the data for 18 and 19 year olds as the reduced rates were first introduced for this cohort. Their findings found positive results noting an overall reduction in unemployment durations.
Age-related reduced rates do not apply to jobseekers with a qualified child, those transferring directly to JA from Disability Allowance or if their claim is linked to a previous JA claim made within the previous 12 months to which the maximum personal rate applied. Jobseekers aged 18-24 years who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) during the period of 12 months before age 18 are not subject to age-related reduced rates (this also includes young unaccompanied minors who were in the care of TULSA). The Department actively engages with Tusla and non-Government organisations to provide supports to vulnerable young people leaving care on a case by case basis who are experiencing homelessness or are in insecure situations.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. ENPs can be paid to assist with rent deposits and the costs of setting up home, including to young persons leaving direct provision accommodation and moving into the community.
CWS staff have extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders and advocacy groups working with vulnerable people, and, for example, engages in local inter-agency responses to homelessness through its work in the Homeless Persons Unit in Dublin and engagement with Homeless Action Teams (HATs) throughout the country. The Department also meets with organisations specifically working with migrants including Crosscare through the Migrant Consultative Forum. This is a forum where representatives of NGOs with a specialist interest in issues concerning migrants, meet with Department representatives to discuss problems/issues facing migrants in their dealings with the Department.
I trust that this information is of assistance and if the Deputy is aware of a particular case where a vulnerable young person requires the assistance of my Department, the details should be provided for review.
