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Tuesday, 16 Jun 2020

Written Answers Nos. 979-1003

Rent Supplement Scheme

Questions (981, 982, 983)

Alan Kelly

Question:

981. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for rent supplement which have been assessed since post-Covid-19 changes were made to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10711/20]

View answer

Alan Kelly

Question:

982. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide updated operational guidelines for rent supplement provided to community welfare officers in which rental costs exceed 2016 limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10712/20]

View answer

Alan Kelly

Question:

983. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the communication and outreach undertaken by her Department to advise persons who are now eligible to apply for rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10713/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 981 to 983, inclusive, together.

Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21,150 recipients.

The scheme provides short-term income support, to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.  The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, and due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Since the introduction of the Government’s Covid emergency response approximately, 6,400 customers have been provided rent supplement support; in addition, there are currently, approximately, 1,500 pending applications awaiting a decision or in the process of providing the necessary documentation to the officer dealing with their claim.  Statistics in relation to overall approval/refusal rates in relation to the Scheme are not currently available.

In the context of the Covid emergency, for persons to be eligible for Rent Supplement, once it has been confirmed that they are a bona fide tenant, the two standing qualification criteria apply:

- The customer was in receipt of Rent Supplement in the last 12  months before the date of application; or,

- The customer was living in private rented accommodation prior to the Covid emergency (at least 4 weeks), could afford their rent at the beginning of the tenancy and were now unable to continue to pay the rent because of a substantial change in their circumstances.

The principal underlying criteria for access to the Scheme have not changed: an applicant receiving a primary social welfare payment or reduced income with an identifiable rental commitment can apply.  Rent supplement’s core customer message remains in line with previous policy, and is supported by the existing customer information available explaining the Scheme’s objectives and criteria.  Where a tenant approaches the Department for support towards their rental commitments, the application will be considered by the officer dealing with their case.

The overarching Covid-19 response by rent supplement is to provide a flexible case-by-case driven solution for customers, providing temporary income support during the emergency for their housing costs.  The scheme has not fundamentally changed, and I am satisfied that the appropriate information is available to both officers and the general public with respect to the scheme.  The Department’s current flexible rent supplement response has been extended to end-August 2020 and remains under review within context of the overall Government response to the Covid-19 emergency.  

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Question No. 984 answered with Question No. 956.
Question No. 985 answered with Question No. 951.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (986)

James Browne

Question:

986. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding full-time working parents who cannot leave their employment to care for children while there are no childcare options available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10790/20]

View answer

Written answers

I understand that some workers and employers are in a difficult situation as a result of the temporary closure of schools and crèches.  From the outset of Covid-19, many employers will have taken the initiative, in line with subsequent requests from the Government, to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff time off to look after their children who are not attending school or crèche.  Employers have a general duty of care towards their workers and that care is often expressed in the form of negotiation, compromise and flexibility.

Statutory leave entitlements available for parents include maternity leave, adoptive leave, paternity leave, annual leave and parent’s leave.  Some of the options to be considered for workers with caring responsibilities might include - 

- Offering paid compassionate leave,

- Allowing employees to work from home,

- Altering shifts, so that employees can coordinate caring between themselves and partners, or another person,

- Allowing employees to rearrange holidays,

- Allowing employees to rearrange parental leave,

- Allowing employees to take paid time off that can be worked back at a later time,

- Allowing employees to take unpaid leave until they can return to work full or part-time.

While employers cannot in principle be asked to keep paying or to keep in their employment workers who are not available to work for them, they are encouraged to be as supportive as possible in the circumstances with a view to maintaining good employment relationships over the long term.

Any employees affected by the lack of childcare are strongly encouraged to engage with their employer in the first instance with a view to exploring all options available to enable them to return to, or continue with, work where possible.

In circumstances where employers fail to consider any reasonable accommodations during the temporary Covid period where schools and crèches are closed, an employee may potentially have recourse to pursue a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under the relevant legislation such as the Unfair Dismissals Act, the Payment of Wages Act or the Employment Equality Acts.  Complaints to the WRC are dealt with either by mediation or adjudication.  Further information on your potential options are available at www.workplacerelations.ie and their dedicated information helpline is at Tel: 059 9178990 or Lo Call: 1890 80 80 90.  The WRC website also contains extensive information on these matters.

The Government has put in place emergency financial supports including the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and allows employers to pay their employees during the current pandemic.  It is designed to maintain the employment relationship between employer and employee and thereby avoid redundancies.  If a person has left work or been forced to leave work and the employer is no longer paying their wages, they may potentially still qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), which is administered by my Department.  This Department also provides other financial supports and employment services to jobseekers through its Intreo centres.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Rates

Questions (987)

David Cullinane

Question:

987. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of a €1 increase for each weekly social welfare payment in tabular form. [10796/20]

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Written answers

The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following tables.

Table 1: Cost of €1 increase in all weekly social insurance payments 

Scheme

Full year cost of a €1  increase (€m)

Social Insurance Schemes

 

 

 

Pension Age Payments

 

State Pension (Contributory)

24.02

Widow/er's Contributory Pension (Aged 66 and over)

4.54

Deserted Wife's Benefit (Aged 66 and over)

0.16

Death Benefit Pension (Aged 66 and over)

0.03

 

 

Working Age Payments

 

Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension

1.57

Deserted Wife's Benefit

0.14

Invalidity Pension                                     

3.26

Partial Capacity Benefit

0.11

Guardian's Payment (Contributory)

0.06

Disablement Pension

0.26

Illness Benefit

2.65

Injury Benefit

0.04

Incapacity Supplement

0.05

Jobseeker's Benefit

7.79

Carer's Benefit

0.15

Health and Safety Benefit

0.00

Maternity & Adoptive Benefit

1.08

Paternity Benefit

0.06

Parent’s Benefit

0.09

Total Social Insurance Schemes

46.07

Table 2: Cost of €1 increase in all weekly social assistance payments

Scheme

Full year cost of a €1 increase (€m)

Social Assistance Schemes

 

 

 

Pension Age Payments

 

State Pension (Non Con)

5.07

Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over)

0.10

Half Rate Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over)

0.36

 

 

Working Age Payments

 

Blind Pension                           

0.06

Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension                 

0.07

Deserted Wife's Allowance

0.00

One-Parent Family Payment                    

2.05

Carer's Allowance                                    

2.36

Half Rate Carer's Allowance

0.63

Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)

0.03

Jobseeker's Allowance

12.36

Jobseeker's Allowance - for those aged 18 to 24 years of age

1.00

Disability Allowance

8.22

Farm Assist

0.36

Back to Education Allowance

0.25

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

0.19

Community Employment

1.31

TÚS

0.34

Rural Social Scheme

0.22

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

0.95

Other

0.07

Total  Social Assistance Schemes

36.00

Total Assistance and Insurance*

82.07

*Rounding may affect totals 

The costs shown are on a full year basis.  They are based on the estimated number of recipients underpinning the Revised Estimate of expenditure for 2020 voted by the Oireachtas on 28 May 2020.  It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients. 

It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and, for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.

Question No. 988 answered with Question No. 951.

Social Insurance

Questions (989)

Michael McGrath

Question:

989. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the class and rate of PRSI contributions paid by local authority members in recent decades; the changes that have been introduced; the impact of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10821/20]

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Written answers

Prior to 2011 public office holders, including local authority members, were not liable to make Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions on payments received in that capacity.  A PRSI Class K charge of 4% on income received by such persons (provided that income exceeds €5,200 per annum) was introduced in Budget 2011 as a measure of solidarity to contribute to social insurance at a time when extensive curtailment of social insurance entitlements to private sector employees was introduced. 

From 1 January 2017, most local authority members are not regarded as public office holders for PRSI Class K purposes.  Their income in that capacity is now regarded in the same way as income received by a self-employed worker.  Accordingly, local authority members, under pensionable age, who earn €5,000 or more per annum are liable to pay Class S PRSI contributions at a rate of 4% on their income or make a minimum annual payment of €500 whichever sum is the greater.  

The exceptions are local authority members who are aged 66 years or over and in respect of whom no PRSI charge arises, or members who are under 66 years and who are also serving civil or public service employees recruited prior to April 1995 where a liability to pay a Class K PRSI contribution of 4% on their local authority income arises.  

PRSI Class S contributors are covered for a range of social insurance benefits.  These are the State pension (contributory), widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity and adoptive benefits, paternity benefit, treatment benefits (from March 2017), invalidity pension (from December 2017), jobseeker’s benefit (self-employed) and parent’s benefit (from November 2019).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Illness Benefit

Questions (990)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

990. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an illness benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10824/20]

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Written answers

I am advised that the person concerned made an Illness Benefit claim from the 25th March 2020 and she therefore does not qualify for payment based on her PRSI contributions.  

In order to qualify for illness benefit, a person must have 104 total PRSI contributions paid at class A, E H or P. A person also must have 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions at class A, E, H or P. Alternatively, a person may have 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, and 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year with all such contributions at class A, E, H or P. 

The person concerned does not satisfy both of the PRSI conditions necessary for illness benefit payment. She can continue to send in medical certificates in order to receive PRSI credited contributions for the duration of her illness.

I am advised that regrettably an incorrect letter issued to the person concerned on 03/04/20 advising her that she qualified for payment of Illness Benefit. A further letter issued to the person concerned on the 9th June 2020 advising her that she is not entitled to payment of Illness and giving her full details of the decision.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (991, 1021)

Bríd Smith

Question:

991. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the difficulties faced by persons in receipt of social welfare payments who do not have access to debit or credit cards and who are being refused service at some retail outlets as a result of Covid-19 measures which see some outlets refusing cash; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10837/20]

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Bríd Smith

Question:

1021. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to deal with the situation of persons on low incomes who have no debit or credit card facilities and use cash only in the Covid-19 crisis in view of the fact many retailers are refusing to accept cash payment; if those on social protection payments will be facilitated with some form of access to cashless methods without incurring the costs associated with such banking facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11487/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 991 and 1021 together.

My Department is taking all necessary measures, in line with the advice of the Department of Health, the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), to respond to the significant challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.  In order to comply with social distancing requirements, the Department has relaxed the rules around payment arrangements.  The option to have one’s social welfare payment made directly into a bank account by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) is now available on the request of the customer. 

Social Welfare payments made directly into customer accounts can be paid into any financial institution, whether they are with  An Post, commercial high street banks, credit unions or digital only banks.  Within these financial institutions, there are a range of account options which charge varying fees.  Every person receiving a Social Welfare payment by EFT has the right to choose which financial institution they wish to use to receive their payment. 

In addition, the European Union (Payment Accounts) Regulations 2016 stipulate that any consumer who is legally resident in the European Union and who does not already have a payment account with a credit institution in the State has the right to open and use a payment account with basic features.  These include a stipulation that such accounts be offered free of charge for a period of not less than 12 months.

Carer's Allowance

Questions (992)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

992. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in respect of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10857/20]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 26 February 2020.  Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision. 

I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case.  In addition, on 11 June the Appeals Officer requested additional evidence from the person concerned and when this is received the Appeals Officer will finalise their review of the case.  The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.

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.

School Meals Programme

Questions (993, 994)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

993. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the allocations made to the school meals programme in each of the past five years; the number of schools and students in receipt of same in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10958/20]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

994. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the allocations made to the hot school meal programme since its inception; the number of schools and students in receipt of same in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10959/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 993 and 994 together.

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children.  The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, take full advantage of the education provided to them.  The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

The statutory Urban School Meals Scheme for primary schools is operated by sixteen Local Authorities in some 300 schools and benefitting approximately 50,000 children.  It is part-financed by the Department which contributed just over €0.9m in 2018 and €0.7m in 2019.

The non-statutory School Meals (Local Projects) Scheme provides funding directly from the Department to primary schools, post-primary schools, special schools, local groups and voluntary not for profit organisations operating their own School meals projects.  The allocations made and the number of schools and students in receipt of same is contained in table 1 in the Appendix.

As part of Budget 2019, I announced that my Department would commence a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020.  The pilot involves 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year. 

The allocations made to the hot school meal programme since its inception and the number of schools and students in receipt of same is contained in table 2 in the Appendix.  

Appendix

Table 1 - School Meals (Local Projects) Scheme Total Allocation, Number of Children benefitting and Number of Schools and Organisations benefitting for the last 5 years. 

Year

2015-2016

2016-2017

2017-2018

2018-2019

2019-2020

Children Benefitting

 

165,141

201,370

207,459

212,584

Schools & Organisations     Benefitting

 

1,302

1,463

1,460

1,439

Total Funds Allocated

€40,530,000

€45,670,000

€53,600,000

€53,790,000

€59,630,000

Note: A breakdown of number of children benefitting and number of schools and organisations benefitting is only available for the last 4 years since the school meals scheme was migrated to the Department’s central IT Platform.  

Table 2 - Hot School Meals pilot Total allocation, Number of Schools and Number of Children benefitting.

School Year

2019/2020

Number of Schools

37

Number of Students

6,744

Total Allocation

€3,140,000

School Meals Programme

Questions (995)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

995. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the costs associated with the extension of the school meals programme to cover youth services, early years settings and after-school programmes as part of a pilot programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10960/20]

View answer

Written answers

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children.  The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, take full advantage of the education provided to them.  The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

In recent years entry to the School Meals Scheme has been confined to DEIS schools in addition to schools identified as having levels of concentrated disadvantage that would benefit from access to the School Meals Programme.  

Prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005, all schools and organisations that were part of one of a number of Department of Education and Skills’ initiatives for disadvantaged schools were eligible to participate in the programme, which included Breaking the Cycle, Giving Children an Even Break, the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, Home School Community Liaison and the School Completion Programme.  These schools and organisations have continued to remain in the scheme. 

The funding currently provided by the Department to youth services, early years settings and after-school programmes is provided in table 1 of the Appendix.  The Department does not have a role in terms of oversight of the programmes referred to by the deputy and overall participant numbers would need to be established to calculate the cost of a pilot programme.

Any decision to extend the current provision would need to be considered in a budgetary context.  However, I am advised that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in planning a pilot meal programme in Early Learning and Care under First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028. 

Appendix

Table 1 - Total allocation to youth services, early years settings and after-school programmes in 2019/2020

Organisation type  

Number of organisations funded  

 Children benefitting  

 Total allocation  

  

 

 

 

Youth Services

525

16

€90,000

Créche/childcare/pre-school

5,436

125

€1,240,000

Afterschool services

14

520

€860,000

Schools and Organisations funded for Afterschool Clubs

264

8,446

€770,000

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (996)

Brian Stanley

Question:

996. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if participants on community employment schemes can continue to do worthwhile work in their community, such as grass cutting and general maintenance in the public areas of housing estates. [10979/20]

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Written answers

The Community Employment (CE) programme is a community centred labour market initiative established for the purposes of social inclusion and activation, to help long-term unemployed people and other vulnerable groups to enter the workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment.

CE projects are sponsored by groups wishing to benefit the local community, namely voluntary and community organisations and, to a lesser extent, public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities.  CE sponsor groups provide valuable and dedicated services in communities all over the country and we simply could not sustain a lot of our local community services without the work undertaken in these projects.

Eligible work placements under CE are those that respond to an identified community need and provide development opportunities for participants in areas involving heritage, arts, culture, tourism, sport and the environment. CE projects must not displace or replace existing jobs, have sufficient insurance cover for the types of work undertaken and offer valuable work experience to the CE participants.   

The range of community and voluntary services delivered by the Department’s employment support schemes does not extend to cover privately held dwellings or business premises or related amenities.  However, I recognise the excellent work undertaken by our tidy towns committees throughout the country and CE participants will continue to work with tidy towns committees to complete eligible work plans and provide valuable services to their communities.

CE sponsoring authorities have recommenced recruitment to their CE Schemes in keeping with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.  Department officials will continue to work with CE sponsoring authorities to ensure a smooth transition to normal operations over the coming period.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (997)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

997. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who is cocooning for medical reasons is entitled to the full pandemic unemployment payment. [10980/20]

View answer

Written answers

A person who is cocooning for medical reasons is not entitled to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment unless they meet the conditions of the payment including that they:

- have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic or

- have been temporarily laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic

In these situations their eligibility for the payment is based on their employment status, not on their health status.

A new enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was introduced in March in response to the infectious disease, COVID-19.  A person who is cocooning for medical reasons is not entitled to this payment unless they have been:

- diagnosed with an infectious disease or

- are a probable source of infection of an infectious disease.

In recognition of the concerns raised by individuals and support groups in relation to those cocooning on health grounds, the Department introduced a policy change in May.  Where a person is not eligible for the enhanced rate of Illness Benefit, standard Illness Benefit payment may be payable subject to normal certification and eligibility criteria to a person with a serious health condition, where a medical practitioner certifies that a person is incapable of work due to the medical condition.  This may be paid for an extended period, depending on the person’s continued eligibility.

Exceptional Needs Payment

Questions (998)

Dara Calleary

Question:

998. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied). [11000/20]

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Written answers

An Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.  ENPs are paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme and are means assessed.

ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.  There is no automatic entitlement to a payment under this scheme. 

The person concerned made an application for an ENP in February 2020. The application was refused on the basis that there was a second income in the home, the details of which were not submitted for means assessment.

I am advised that the Designated Person received new information from the person concerned on 12 June 2020.  Following receipt of this information the Designated Person has revised his original decision and will be assisting the person concerned with payment of an ENP.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension

Questions (999)

Dara Calleary

Question:

999. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied). [11001/20]

View answer

Written answers

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The department received a claim for IP for this gentleman on 23 March 2020.  He was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on 09 April 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The gentleman concerned subsequently appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) and submitted further medical evidence in support of his appeal. 

Following a review of all the information available it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision.  A submission is being prepared by the department and will be forwarded to the SWAO for determination as soon as possible.  The SWAO will be in touch with him directly in due course in relation to the progress of his appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (1000)

Mary Butler

Question:

1000. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a pension scheme for community employment scheme supervisors following the 2008 Labour Court ruling in respect of same; the position regarding the report on a pension scheme for scheme supervisors due to be published by her Department; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11003/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Community Employment Scheme (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

CE sponsor organisations provide a valuable and dedicated service in running CE Schemes all over the country. CE Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors, as employees of these organisations, are an integral part of that good work.

As you are aware, CE supervisors and assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.  

Last year my officials and I met with the unions to establish a process for the related discussions and to agree on the terms of reference.  During the meetings that followed, the parties undertook a detailed analysis of a number of potential solutions tabled, mindful of the broader environment in which any solution found would need to operate.

Related discussions have also been taken place between officials from my Department and their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) and I have asked that my officials continue these discussions.

Further planned discussions between my Department officials and the Unions did not take place in light of the ongoing Covid-19 emergency.  However, my officials will continue these discussions as normal business resumes. 

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (1001)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1001. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the return to work rules for community employment scheme workers; if the lack of childcare for workers can prevent them returning; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11038/20]

View answer

Written answers

During the current Covid-19 emergency, my Department continued to provide the necessary funding for CE schemes while also introducing a number of contingency measures, including the extension of existing CE participant contracts for the duration of the emergency.

Recruitment of new CE participants ceased temporarily during the emergency period while CE many schemes continued to operate.  Now that the country has begun the process of restoring normal operations and in keeping with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the recruitment of new CE participants by the CE sponsoring authorities has recommenced and the first group of new CE participants will be in place from Monday, 6th July, 2020. 

Officials in my Department have continued to communicate with CE sponsoring authorities and Tús implementing bodies on the importance of adhering to the up-to-date information, guidelines and legislation relating to Covid-19 as provided by Government Departments. They have also been asked to ensure that all employees are kept abreast of the national advice provided and to familiarise themselves with the Return to Work Safety Protocol and the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

The Department of Children & Youth Affairs (DCYA) is co-ordinating the return to work for the childcare sector and has announced a funding package for reopening Early Learning and Childcare Services which will assist childcare employees, in returning to work.  My Department Officials are in communication with their counterparts in DCYA in relation to CE and Tús scheme participants operating in the childcare sector and the availability of new recruits to replace those participants who will leave over the coming period.

Department officials will continue to work with CE sponsoring authorities and Tús  implementing bodies to ensure a smooth transition to normal business operations. 

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1002, 1004, 1011, 1023)

James Browne

Question:

1002. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the impact of the pandemic on students who would normally work additional hours during summertime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11039/20]

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Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

1004. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provisions she plans to put in place for seasonal workers who due to Covid-19 will now not have sufficient contributions to qualify for unemployment benefit in late 2020 and early 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11078/20]

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Paul McAuliffe

Question:

1011. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if provision will be made for students who normally rely on full-time work during the summer months; and if they will be able to claim the Covid-19 emergency payment. [11226/20]

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Norma Foley

Question:

1023. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address the urgent case of seasonal workers whose stamps are running out and are not being catered for by the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will address the issue of stamps running out for this cohort of workers due to the pandemic and include them in the payment. [11508/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1002, 1004, 1011 and 1023 together.

The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic that will now be payable until 10 August 2020, further to the recent Government announcement.  The conditions for receipt of this payment are that a person must be of working age between 18 and up to 66 years old, have been in employment immediately before 13 March 2020 and have lost their employment due to the pandemic and are not being paid by their employer.

If a person was in not in employment immediately prior to 13 March 2020 but was due to take up summer employment they are not eligible to receive the pandemic unemployment payment.  It would be impossible to construct a scheme based on claims of potential or prospective but unrealised employment, particularly where the economy was operating at full-employment with many unfilled vacancies prior to the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Jobseekers benefit is payable for 9 months for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid or 6 months if they have less than 260 contributions paid.  Where a person exhausts their claim for jobseekers benefit or they have insufficient contributions paid they may apply for support under the means tested jobseeker's allowance.

In respect of students, the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for persons pursuing third level education.  The matter of supports for students for the forthcoming academic year should be referred to the Minister for Education and Skills.

Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial supports under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.

Question No. 1003 answered with Question No. 963.
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