Written Answers Nos. 1452-1478
1452. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if jobseeker's allowance can be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19571/19]
View answerThere is no record of receipt of an application for Jobseekers Allowance from the person concerned.
An application form has now been issued to the person concerned, and an appointment given to attend the local Intreo Centre. Once an application and any necessary supporting documentation has been received, a decision will be made as quickly as possible.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if jobseeker's allowance payment can be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19572/19]
View answerTo qualify for a Jobseekers payment a person must be unemployed, capable of, available for and genuinely seeking full-time work, and when required be able to provide my Department with sufficient evidence to demonstrate that eligibility requirements in respect of these conditions are being met. A disqualification of up to 9 weeks may be imposed if a Deciding Officer is satisfied that a customer refused an offer of suitable employment.
Based on information provided by the person concerned to the Deciding Officer on the 1 May 2019 a revised decision has been made in this instance. The person concerned was disqualified from receiving Jobseekers Allowance for a period of 2 weeks for failing to take up an employment opportunity. The person concerned has been advised in writing of this and also of their right to appeal this decision.
My Department operates a fast-tracking system for customers who sign off the live register to take up employment or training for a short period (up to 12 weeks) whereby a customer does not have to re-apply for a Jobseekers payment when the employment or training ends. The 12 week suspension period ensures that a customer’s payment is re-instated without delay.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1454. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the level of a working family payment can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19573/19]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant must have a qualified child and be engaged in full-time paid employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight.
Working family payment for the person concerned was renewed from 11th October 2018 at a rate of €48 per week, taking the earnings for the person concerned and her spouse's unemployment assistance as assessable income.
Once WFP is granted, it is payable for 52 weeks at the same rate, as long as the customer continues to be engaged in full-time paid employment as an employee for at least 38 hours every fortnight. It is not affected by changes in family income such as increases or decreases. Working family payment for the person concerned will continue at the same rate until the claim is due for next renewal on 9th October 2019.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1455. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for an increase for qualified adult on their invalidity pension payment in respect of their spouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19580/19]
View answerThe lady referred to has been awarded the personal rate of invalidity pension with effect from 04 April 2019. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 16 May 2019. Any arrears due from 04 April 2019 to 15 May 2019 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on 02 May 2019. Correspondence issued to the lady referred to on 23 April 2019 asking if she wished to claim an increase for a qualified adult on her claim. To date no reply has been received to this correspondence.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1456. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an invalidity pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) following review. [19599/19]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the lady referred to on 14 January 2019. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 26 March 2019 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal. The lady concerned requested a review of this decision and a Deciding Officer wrote to her on 30 April 2019 requesting confirmation of the date she ceased self-employment. The review will be finalised as soon as possible on receipt of the requested information.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1457. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19617/19]
View answerThe lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 14 February 2019. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 16 May 2019. Any arrears due from 14 February to 15 May 2019 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue as soon as possible. The lady in question was notified of this decision on 01 May 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1458. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an exceptional needs application form has been returned and is being processed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19618/19]
View answerAs per Parliamentary Question 16009/19, the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) issued an application form to the person concerned on 2 April 2019. The CWO advises that no application form for an exceptional needs payment (ENP) has been received from the person concerned to date. The CWO contacted the person concerned on 1 May 2019. The person concerned has informed the CWO that they will return the form when completed.
I trust this clarifies matter for the Deputy.
1459. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of pensioners who had their pensions assessed under the homecaring periods scheme; the number who received a back payment; the number still to have their pension assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19620/19]
View answerSince late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate-bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.
Wherever possible, reviews are processed based on information already held by the Department, including information about homecaring periods. Where additional information is required about gap periods in a person's social insurance record, a written request is issued. Almost 43,000 requests for further information have issued.
Reviews commenced from 13 February 2019, the day after I signed the necessary Regulations which, together with provisions in the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registrations Act 2018, allows the increased payments to be made.
As at the 2 May 2019, 34,248 reviews have been completed. Just over 19,000 claimants received an increase in their rate of payment. Of these, 12,500 benefitted from homecaring periods, with the remainder benefitting from the new calculation method alone. Over 15, 000 pensioners continue to receive their existing rate of payment following review, of which 3,000 had homecaring periods for inclusion in their calculation.
The remaining review outcomes will issue as individual reviews are completed. Regardless of when a review is conducted, where an increase in payment is due, the person's rate of payment will be adjusted without delay and arrears issued backdated to 30 March 2018, or the person's 66th birthday if later. Where a person's rate does not increase following review, the person will continue to receive their existing rate of payment.
It will take a number of months to complete the reviews due to the numbers involved and the individual nature of social insurance records. This work will continue until all identified pensioners receive their review outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1460. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for the working family payment by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19627/19]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 February 2019. 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 were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 14 March 2019 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1461. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedures for a self-employed person that is signing for jobseeker's allowance on a casual basis; the number of days they can sign during the course of a week, month or calendar year; the income they can earn from self-employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19652/19]
View answerMy Department’s main social welfare schemes for people who are unemployed are the means tested jobseeker’s allowance (JA) and the social insurance contribution based jobseeker's benefit (JB). The 2019 Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseeker’s schemes of €1.95 billion.
The JA scheme is available to all jobseekers including employees and those in self-employment. A self-employed person may qualify for JA if their business ceases or if they are on a low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their business. They also have access to employment supports available to other JA recipients.
In assessing means from self-employment, income from the previous twelve months is used as an indicator of likely future earnings. Given the variety of self-employment situations, the means assessment procedures are applied in a flexible manner to ensure that any circumstances that would be likely to lead to a significant variation, either upward or downward, in the level of a person’s income from one year to the next are taken into consideration. The income from self-employment is generally taken to be the gross profit less allowable work related expenses such as travel, lighting, heating, motor running costs applicable to the business. In the case of a single person, if the weekly means exceeds the weekly JA scheduled rate which is currently €203 there is no entitlement to JA. If the weekly means is less than the scheduled JA rate the weekly entitlement for the claimant is the maximum weekly rate of payment for the person less the means calculated.
When a person applies for a jobseeker’s payment they must declare that they are available for and genuinely seeking work but unable to find work, which is known as ‘signing on.’ Most Intreo centres and branch offices have a monthly signing arrangement and the jobseeker will be given a date and time to sign. Alternative arrangements may be made if the date or time is not suitable subject to agreement by the Intreo Centre/Branch Office.
The new scheme for self-employed people, which I announced as part of the 2019 Budget measures, will extend a social insurance contribution based benefit to those who lose their self-employment. This scheme will be introduced in November 2019 and builds on other significant improvements for self-employed people in recent years such as access to invalidity pension and treatment benefits in 2017. This measure is part of the Government’s stated aim of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, including providing an income safety net to employees and self-employed people alike.
I trust that this clarifies the matter and if the Deputy has a particular case of a self-employed person he should forward the details to my Department for review of the individual circumstances.
1462. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance payment who also receive the qualified adult allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19689/19]
View answerAt the 27th of April there were 17,310 persons under the age of 26 years in receipt of a Jobseeker's Allowance payment. Of these, 1,796 were in receipt of an allowance for a qualified adult.
1463. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who are recorded as homeless and who are in receipt of the €112.70, €157.80 and €203 per week rate of jobseeker's allowance payment in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19690/19]
View answerIn 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 €203.
A breakdown of the total number of people aged 18-25 in receipt of JA payments €112.70, €157.80 and €203.00 is provided in tabular form in Appendix 1. Statistical information is not available in respect of persons receiving JA who are homeless - this information is not currently recorded by my department. However, 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 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.
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 18-25 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). My Department’s community welfare service (CWS) 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 homeless services and moving into the community.
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.
Appendix 1
Number of persons aged 18-25 years in receipt of reduced rate Jobseekers Allowance
|
Age |
€112.70 |
€157.80 |
€203.00 |
|
18 |
1,309 |
0 |
58 |
|
19 |
1,968 |
0 |
135 |
|
20 |
2,020 |
0 |
231 |
|
21 |
1,878 |
0 |
281 |
|
22 |
1,674 |
1 |
407 |
|
23 |
1,602 |
2 |
514 |
|
24 |
1,493 |
6 |
609 |
|
25 |
0 |
1,832 |
682 |
|
Total |
11,944 |
1,841 |
2,917 |
1464. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who are participating on the back to education scheme by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19691/19]
View answer1465. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional financial supports a young person under 26 years of age on the lower rate of jobseeker's allowance will receive when transitioning to an education programme supported by the back to education scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19692/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1464 and 1465 together.
The back to education allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments that pursue courses of education at second or third level. The main focus of the BTEA is to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and improve their prospects of gaining employment.
Age related payment rates for BTEA participants were abolished from 1st September 2017. As a result all BTEA participants receive a weekly payment to the maximum standard rate of their qualifying payment. For example Jobseekers who were previously on an age-related jobseeker allowance payment, will receive the maximum jobseekers weekly payment of €203 if approved for BTEA, subject to any deductions for means.
At the end of April 2019 there were approximately 8,630 students in receipt of the BTEA. The number of these students who are aged under 26 years is 2,009. This information is broken down by county as provided in the attached tabular statement.
In 2017/2018 academic year, the Government reintroduced the annual Cost of Education Grant. This grant of €500 is payable to BTEA participants with a child dependant on their BTEA payment. Of the total 2,009 BTEA recipients under 26 year olds, some 140 are eligible for this grant.
The BTEA is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education. In general, most BTEA customers will also have certain registration and related college fees paid by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
I trust this clarifies the matters raised by the Deputy.
|
COUNTY |
Participants of BTEA under 26 (April 2019) |
|
CARLOW |
44 |
|
CAVAN |
35 |
|
CLARE |
53 |
|
CORK |
149 |
|
DONEGAL |
180 |
|
DUBLIN |
415 |
|
GALWAY |
94 |
|
KERRY |
78 |
|
KILDARE |
59 |
|
KILKENNY |
56 |
|
LAOIS |
41 |
|
LEITRIM |
11 |
|
LIMERICK |
91 |
|
LONGFORD |
19 |
|
LOUTH |
104 |
|
MAYO |
54 |
|
MEATH |
31 |
|
MONAGHAN |
21 |
|
OFFALY |
70 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
19 |
|
SLIGO |
31 |
|
TIPPERARY |
97 |
|
WATERFORD |
102 |
|
WESTMEATH |
30 |
|
WEXFORD |
53 |
|
WICKLOW |
72 |
|
|
2,009 |
1466. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who have been supported to date by the JobsPlus youth scheme by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19693/19]
View answer1467. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who commenced on the JobsPlus youth scheme in each of the years 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19694/19]
View answer1468. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of supporting young persons under 25 years of age on the JobsPlus youth scheme in each of the years 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19695/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1466 to 1468, inclusive, together.
JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from the Live Register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years - paid in monthly instalments.
A total of 3,494 people under 25 years of age have been supported to date by the JobsPlus youth scheme. A county breakdown of those supported is provided in Table 1. The number of people under 25 years of age who commenced on Jobsplus youth scheme from 2015 to 2018 is provided in Table 2. The breakdown of the cost of supporting those under 25 years of age from 2015 to 2018 is provided in Table 3.
Table 1.
County breakdown of persons under 25 years of age supported by JobsPlus.
|
COUNTY |
Number of Employees |
|
CARLOW |
84 |
|
CAVAN |
93 |
|
CLARE |
93 |
|
CORK |
198 |
|
DONEGAL |
183 |
|
DUBLIN |
596 |
|
GALWAY |
152 |
|
KERRY |
102 |
|
KILDARE |
144 |
|
KILKENNY |
64 |
|
LAOIS |
75 |
|
LEITRIM |
42 |
|
LIMERICK |
160 |
|
LONGFORD |
41 |
|
LOUTH |
143 |
|
MAYO |
112 |
|
MEATH |
131 |
|
MONAGHAN |
74 |
|
OFFALY |
116 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
57 |
|
SLIGO |
53 |
|
TIPPERARY |
187 |
|
WATERFORD |
166 |
|
WESTMEATH |
132 |
|
WEXFORD |
180 |
|
WICKLOW |
116 |
|
TOTAL |
3,494 |
Table 2.
Number of people under 25 years of age who commenced on JobsPlus in each of the years 2015 to 2018.
|
Year |
Number of People |
|
2015 |
750 |
|
2016 |
816 |
|
2017 |
625 |
|
2018 |
414 |
Table 3.
The cost of supporting persons under 25 years of age on JobsPlus in each years 2015 to 2018.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2015 |
€4,250,007.00 |
|
2016 |
€4,910,322.00 |
|
2017 |
€3,423,658.00 |
|
2018 |
€1,330,942.00 |
1469. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the implementation of the youth employment support scheme; the proposed number of participants in 2019; the number of participants who have commenced the programme to date; the budget for 2019; the budget spend to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19696/19]
View answer1470. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average cost to date per young person participating on the youth employment support scheme excluding their existing social welfare payment in advance of participating on the YESS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19697/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1469 and 1470 together.
The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on Monday 1 October 2018 and has been open to applications from that date.
YESS is a work experience programme targeted at young jobseekers who are long-term unemployed or who face significant barriers to employment. The scheme aims to provide participants with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement.
Up to the end of March 2019, a total of 225 participants have commenced on the scheme. A budget of up to €5million has been allocated to YESS for 2019. My Department is aiming to provide up to 1,000 placements for participants by year end.
YESS is open to eligible jobseekers in receipt of a number of different social welfare payments, and as such, the weekly rate of the underlying payment varies from one participant to another. While on a YESS placement, participants should receive a minimum weekly allowance of €229.20, which includes their underlying payment. However, it would not be possible to provide the average cost to date per participant, excluding their existing underlying social welfare payment entitlement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1471. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age participating in the community employment scheme on or before July 2017, in tabular form; when the CE scheme rules were changed; the data available on the number of young persons under 26 years of age participating on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19698/19]
View answer1473. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional annual cost of a young person on the €112.70 weekly jobseeker's allowance rate participating on a community employment scheme for 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19700/19]
View answer1474. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional annual cost of a young person on the €157.80 weekly jobseeker's allowance rate participating on a community employment scheme for 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19701/19]
View answer1475. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons in each year of age between 18 and 25 participating on a community employment scheme in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19702/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1471 and 1473 to 1475, inclusive, together.
Community Employment (CE) schemes provide part-time temporary work in their 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.
The general qualifying age for CE for those on the Live Register was reduced from 25 to 21 years in 2017. There is an overall limit of 6 years participation from 2007 (7 years if on a disability payment). While participants between 21 and 55 years on CE are entitled to one year on the programme, this can be extended by up to 2 more years if they are engaged in a recognised training or education award that is helping them progress towards employment. All CE participants age 55 and over can avail of 3 consecutive years on a CE scheme.
Table 1 below shows the number of young persons under 26 years of age participating in CE on or before July 2017. Details of those aged 18 to 25 years participating on a community employment scheme is outlined in Table 2. An estimate of the additional annual cost of employing persons who are under 26 years of age on the CE programme is outlined in Table 3. This costing is based on 52 weeks payment of the personal rate and does not include an increase for a qualified adult or an increase for a qualified child/ren or any other associated costs.
Table 1
|
Age |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
18 |
14 |
13 |
27 |
|
19 |
37 |
31 |
68 |
|
20 |
40 |
61 |
101 |
|
21 |
82 |
47 |
129 |
|
22 |
120 |
65 |
185 |
|
23 |
116 |
72 |
188 |
|
24 |
109 |
83 |
192 |
|
25 |
159 |
102 |
261 |
|
Total |
677 |
474 |
1151 |
Table 2
|
Age |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
18 |
17 |
16 |
33 |
|
19 |
31 |
36 |
67 |
|
20 |
38 |
47 |
85 |
|
21 |
105 |
75 |
180 |
|
22 |
131 |
107 |
238 |
|
23 |
168 |
133 |
301 |
|
24 |
180 |
122 |
302 |
|
25 |
148 |
128 |
276 |
|
Total |
818 |
664 |
1482 |
Table 3
|
Age |
Weekly Jobseekers Allowance ( JA) personal rate |
CE weekly personal rate of payment |
Estimated full year additional personal rate cost between JA and CE |
|
Aged 25 years |
€157.80 |
€225.50 |
€3,588.10 |
|
Aged under 25 years |
€112.70 |
€225.50 |
€5,978.40 |
1472. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if eligibility for the community employment scheme for young persons under 21 years of age who have been on the live register for 12 months or more will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19699/19]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is an employment and training programme which helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine. The programme assists by enhancing and developing a person’s technical and personal skills which can then be used in the workplace.
The general minimum age criterion of 21 for CE has been set to ensure that, in the first instance, younger jobseekers engage with the range of other activation measures already in place for persons of school leaving age and beyond. As there is limited provision for vulnerable groups (e.g. persons with a disability, Travellers, refugees, referred drug misusers, ex-offenders) who can access CE at 18 years of age, they are permitted to participate.
Schemes operated by my Department are kept under constant review to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and continue to meet the needs of the Department's customers.
1476. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age who commenced a Tús programme in each of the years 2015 to 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19703/19]
View answer1477. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional annual cost of a young person under 26 years of age on the €112.70 weekly jobseeker's allowance rate participating on the Tús programme for 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19704/19]
View answer1478. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional annual cost of a young person under 26 years of age on the €157.80 weekly jobseeker's allowance rate participating on the Tús programme for 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19705/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1476 to 1478, inclusive, together.
Tús provides work placements for a twelve month period for those who are on the Live Register for a year or more. The initiative helps break the cycle of long-term unemployment by providing a work routine and valuable work experience. It is recognised by Government that Tús is a positive initiative that enables the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment.
Table 1 below gives a breakdown by year of participants under 26 years of age who commenced on the Tús scheme during the years 2015-2018. An estimate of the additional annual cost of employing persons who are under 26 years of age on the Tús programme is outlined in Table 2. This costing is based on 52 weeks payment of the personal rate and does not include an increase for a qualified adult or an increase for a qualified child/ren or any other associated costs.
Table 1
|
Year |
Participants who commenced Tús under 26 years of age |
|
2015 |
1,586 |
|
2016 |
1,503 |
|
2017 |
1,115 |
|
2018 |
858 |
Table 2
|
Age |
Weekly Jobseekers Allowance ( JA) personal rate |
Tús weekly personal rate of payment |
Estimated full year additional personal rate cost between JA and Tús |
|
Aged 25 years |
€157.80 |
€225.50 |
€3,520.40 |
|
Aged under 25 years |
€112.70 |
€225.50 |
€5,865.60 |
I hope this clarifies the position for you.
