Written Answers Nos. 676-700
679. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that progressed onto third level education in 2019, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15957/20]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of student and graduate data from all HEA-funded higher education institutions.
The latest available HEA data relates to enrolments in the 2018/2019 academic year. Data in relation to enrolments in the 2019/2020 academic year are currently being returned by institutions to the HEA for collation and audit. This process has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19. The data will be published on the HEA's website: www.hea.ie when available.
680. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision on funding for emergency works at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15968/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the school to which he refers has been approved for funding, under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme, for the works in question.
The current position is that a tender report in respect of these works was received but further information in relation to the cost of same had to be obtained from the school authorities in order to make a decision on the matter. This information has now been received. A decision will be made in a timely manner in that respect and notified to the school directly.
681. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if universities and institutes of technology have notified her, either separately or through their representative organisations, regarding their current financial position in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if a request for additional funding has been made by them. [15970/20]
View answerSince the onset of Covid-19 in March, my Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) have collaborated with key stakeholders from the Higher Education sector, including the Irish Universities Association, (IUA) and the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) to identify, quantify and develop options to mitigate the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector.
A stakeholder working group chaired by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), including representatives from my Department, the IUA, THEA and TU Dublin, worked to collect information on the overall increased costs and projected income losses advised by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) arising from the crisis, based on an agreed set of assumptions
In addition to the sectoral analysis the HEA and representative bodies engaged closely to provide specific and granular institutional-level detail essential to safeguard individual institutions and the sector as a whole and to inform the process of examining options to support the sustainability of the sector. Furthermore my Department has met with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to discuss the potential impact of COVID on the sector and the issue has also been highlighted at Government.
The provision of additional financial support in order that the sector can contribute fully to economic recovery and to meeting priority skill needs is currently being assessed and my Department will continue to engage with key stakeholders to underpin the achievement of this objective.
682. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that have access to adequate hot water; the estimated cost to ensure that every school has hot water; and if all schools will have access to hot water in view of the current pandemic. [16000/20]
View answerThe specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of primary and post-primary school that have access to hot water is not readily available within my Department.
The Covid 19 Interim Recommendations for the reopening of schools and educational facilities public health guidance states that while warm running water is preferable for handwashing, that cold water is sufficient. In schools which do not have warm running water, a soap that emulsifies easily in cold water will be provided.
It is also recognised that the existing handwashing facilities in schools are not designed for the enhanced level of handwashing envisaged in a post COVID-19 environment without significantly impacting on educational class time including the requirement for a high level of supervision by teachers to ensure pupils wash their hands properly.
The public health guidance also states that hand sanitiser can be used. It is anticipated hand-sanitisers in key areas in every school in the country, as well as in every classroom will be provided. To enable the supply of sanitizer fluid for each school, a drawdown framework for use by schools to purchase sanitiser etc. (as well as other potential PPE requirements) is in the process of being established by the Department.
683. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the board of management of a school (details supplied) will be entitled to rent additional space in order to accommodate the students in the school in a safe manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16112/20]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that an application has been received, by my Department, in relation to the school concerned. The application is currently under assessment and once complete, the school authorities will be notified directly.
684. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of tribunals, public investigations and commissions of investigations in process; the length of time each has been under way; when each will conclude; the cost to date of each; and the estimated cost of each at completion. [16133/20]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that there are no tribunals, public investigations and commissions of investigation in process in my Department.
685. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a Covid-19 crisis payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14707/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic emergency. As stipulated in the scheme guidelines both employees and self-employed people can apply for the payment if they satisfy a number of qualifying conditions as set out below.
In order to qualify for the payment, an applicant must:
- be aged between 18 and 66 years old and
- be currently living in the Republic of Ireland and
- have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic or
- have been temporarily laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
- have worked in the Republic of Ireland or were a cross border frontier worker and
- not be in receipt of any employment income.
The person applied online for Covid-19 PUP on 31/3/2020 and received the weekly income support of €350 from 6/4/2020 to 8/6/2020 inclusive.
However, the person concerned advised immigration officials at Dublin Airport on 27/4/2020 that he had left the State on 1/3/2020. He was therefore not in the State at the time of his application for the Covid-19 PUP. The claim was stopped by the Department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on 5/6/2020. The person concerned was issued a review notice and SIU has had no further communication with him.
It would appear now that the claim made by the person concerned for a Covid-19 PUP was invalid and there may be an overpayment due to the Department.
It is open to the person to review the eligibility criteria for Covid-19 PUP at the Department’s website www.Gov.ie/DEASP and to submit a further application if he feels he now meets the qualifying criteria.
If the person concerned considers he may have an entitlement to payments under Jobseeker’s Benefit/Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance, he can obtain further information or apply online at www.mywelfare.ie. Alternatively he can phone 1890 800 024 and request the relevant application form.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
686. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of businesses that have notified her Department regarding their intention to consider collective redundancies in June 2020; the number of jobs involved by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14817/20]
View answerSection 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 provides that employers proposing a collective redundancy must notify the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection of the proposed collective redundancy.
The statistics in relation to collective redundancy notifications for June 2020 are -
|
Redundancy Notifications |
June |
|
Number of Notifications Received |
37 |
|
Number of Potential Redundancies Advised |
1,464 |
My Department monitors that the legislative requirements for consultation and notification of potential redundancies to the Minister are complied with.
I am advised that it is not possible to confirm if the actual number of redundancies occurring will correlate to that advised to me as Minister as a potential redundancy.
I am further advised that statistics are not retained on a county by county basis.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
687. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a claim for disability status by a person (details supplied) has been granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14925/20]
View answerI confirm that an application from this lady for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 7 March 2019.
The application was referred to a social welfare inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. To date the investigating officer has been unable to determine her place of residence. The person concerned has also failed to supply information which was requested by this Department.
Once the person concerned supplies all requested information, the investigating officer can finalise his/her report and submit to DA section. A decision will then be made on this lady's entitlement to DA and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
688. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the existing timeframe of the pandemic unemployment payment in respect of self-employed persons who work in the events industry; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that if public health advice force events to either cancel or postpone later into the year many of these persons will be forced into permanent unemployment and the closure of their businesses. [15098/20]
View answer689. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a means testing procedure has been considered regarding future amendments to the pandemic unemployment payment (details supplied). [15099/20]
View answer727. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding an anomaly in Covid-19 payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15071/20]
View answer731. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the pandemic unemployment payment of a person would be affected if the recipient was able to source casual work, that is, for a few days per month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15158/20]
View answer753. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consequences for those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment but accept short-term work for a day, several days or longer to maintain links with their pre-Covid-19 employment relationships and contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15413/20]
View answer754. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consequences for those who accept work while on jobseeker's for the self-employed or jobseeker's for those who were in full employment but were let go at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis and the short-term work scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15414/20]
View answer756. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a system will be created by which those on the pandemic unemployment payment can accept sporadic work, declare it, offset that amount against the payment, yet retain the payment until such time as the live events sector and other sectors in prolonged Covid-19 shutdown return to normal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15416/20]
View answer759. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for the pandemic unemployment payment and self-employed persons who will not be able to return to full employment due to space restrictions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15513/20]
View answer764. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consequences for those who accept work while receiving the pandemic unemployment payment or another unemployment payment (details supplied); and her views on the matter especially in terms of artists working in the arts and culture sector or involved in the live events production industry. [15528/20]
View answer766. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to the creation of a system that would allow persons in receipt of a pandemic unemployment payment to avail of sporadic work, declare same and offset that amount against the payment without having to lose their entitlement to the payment (details supplied). [15530/20]
View answer772. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consequences for self-employed persons who work in the event industry and accept work while receiving a pandemic or other unemployment payment such as payments (details supplied). [15618/20]
View answer774. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department can create a system by which self-employed persons involved in the events industry on the pandemic unemployment payment can accept sporadic work, declare it, offset that amount against the payment yet retain their payments until such time as live events return to normal or they leave the live events industry permanently to find alternative employment in another sector. [15620/20]
View answer786. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address the issue of members of an association (details supplied) having their pandemic unemployment payments reduced; the further supports available for this sector of society that continue to be without work as live music venues remain closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15992/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 688, 689, 727, 731, 753, 754, 756, 759, 764, 766, 772, 774 and 786 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and has been extended until 10th August. A two level payment structure has also been introduced to link the pandemic unemployment payment level to prior earnings. As we gradually move through the phases of reopening our society and the economy, the pandemic unemployment payment will be assessed to see how it fits into cross-Government plans to keep Ireland healthy while continuing to get the country working again.
The conditions for receipt of this payment are that a person must have lost their employment due to the pandemic and are now fully unemployed. A self-employed person must have suffered a collapse in their trading income to the extent that they are available to take up other full-time work. Where a self-employed individual has regular employment or it generates significant income, then they should close their pandemic unemployment payment on the basis that they do not satisfy the conditions for the payment. In cases of doubt where emergency or sporadic work is undertaken, an individual should discuss the matter with the Department. In the case where a person is not satisfied with a decision to withdraw their pandemic unemployment payment on the basis of their level of engagement in employment, they can have this decision reviewed.
If a person is ineligible for the pandemic unemployment payment as they are engaged in employment, they may be entitled to support under the jobseekers benefit or jobseekers allowance scheme depending on their individual circumstances. A person in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment may take up employment but they must be unemployed for at least 4 days in 7 consecutive days to be eligible for a payment and continue to satisfy the other qualifying conditions of the schemes.
Jobseekers benefit (self-employed) is available for self-employed people who have ceased trading and is not available while a person is engaged in self-employment.
The Enterprise Support Grant has recently been extended and will be made available to small business owners who transition from the pandemic unemployment payment to re-open their business. The grant, of up to €1,000, will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. The Department is developing the systems to put it into effect and will communicate how to access the grant in the coming weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
690. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to seasonal workers who were not entitled to the Covid-19 payment in view of the fact they had not returned to work in March 2020; if the scheme will be reviewed to take such persons into consideration (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15243/20]
View answer728. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding seasonal workers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15075/20]
View answer734. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans in respect of supports for seasonal workers who had not returned to work by the deadline in March 2020 and that face little prospect of employment for the remainder of 2020; if she is making provision for implications for 2021 due to the fact these workers are not currently in a position to pay stamps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15187/20]
View answer737. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if provision will be made for those in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit to retain some of their PRSI stamps in view of the fact that their ability to seek work was restrained due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15236/20]
View answer739. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures her Department has taken to provide supports to seasonal workers, such as those employed in summer camps, who have lost income due to Covid-19 but are not covered by the pandemic unemployment payment. [15250/20]
View answer781. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to or partly reimburse students fully who usually work summer jobs to fund university education but can no longer do so due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15936/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 690, 728, 734, 737, 739 and 781 together.
The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
One of the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment are that a person must have been in employment immediately before 13th March and lost their income from employment. Where a person was due to take up seasonal employment but they were not in employment immediately prior to 13th March 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.
People who do not qualify for the pandemic unemployment payment are eligible to apply for a jobseekers payment. Jobseeker's benefit is a weekly payment to people who have lost their employment and who satisfy the scheme's statutory conditions including the requirement to have sufficient social insurance contributions paid. This benefit is paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and for 6 months (156 days) for people who have less than 260 paid. Where a person does not re-qualify or has used up their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit they can apply for the means tested jobseeker’s allowance.
I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
691. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015; the circumstances in which it will be permissible for a child to change gender without parental consent; the minimum age that a child must reach before he or she can change gender; if the self-declaration process of gender change is to be introduced for children under 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15423/20]
View answerThe report of the group established to conduct a review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 was published in July 2018. Under legislative proposals to implement some of the recommendations contained in the report, there are no circumstances in which it will be permissible for a child to change gender without parental consent and the current minimum age for legal gender recognition will remain at 16 years.
Included in the legislative proposals are the following measures:
- Simplify the path to legal gender recognition for children aged 16/17 years by introducing an arrangement for self-declaration, with parental consent; a simple revocation process; and by making family mediation support available on a voluntary basis;
- Identify clearly on a gender recognition certificate for 16 and 17 year olds that it is awarded on the basis of self-declaration only. This is in order to bring greater clarity to the fact that legal gender recognition is separate and distinct from any question of medical intervention.
A number of other recommendations are more administrative in nature and are being implemented or will be progressed under Ireland’s National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 – 2021.
The legislative proposals relating to children over 16 years, and the commissioning of research to examine issues of concern relating to children aged under 16 years, are included in the current Programme for Government.
692. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Covid-19 rent supplement scheme will be extended beyond August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15493/20]
View answerRent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21,200 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 7,150 customers have been provided rent supplement support and remain in payment;. In addition, there are currently, some 1,200 pending customers awaiting a decision or in the process of providing the necessary documentation to the officer dealing with their claim.
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.
693. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will accept self-assessed income for 2019 from self-employed persons, as would be accepted by the Revenue Commissioners for tax purposes, as reference year evidence of income for the purposes of determining the level of continued payment of the pandemic unemployment payment rather than only using 2018 as self-employed reference year income to determine the level of continued payment (details supplied). [15577/20]
View answer695. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the reduction of the pandemic unemployment payment to taxi drivers in view of the serious continuing impact on passenger numbers as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15780/20]
View answer777. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the reduction of the pandemic unemployment payment to taxi drivers in view of the serious continuing impact on passenger numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15781/20]
View answer779. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available to a self-employed taxi driver impacted by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15828/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 693, 695, 777 and 779 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and which has been extended to 10th August. A two level payment structure has been introduced to link the pandemic unemployment payment level to prior earnings.
If a recipient’s gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher then there is no change to their rate of payment. If a person’s gross weekly earnings were under €200 then the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment has been adjusted to €203 per week which is in line with the standard personal rate of jobseeker's benefit. The majority of recipients, approximately 75%, have not been impacted by this change in rate.
Where a person is self-employed their average weekly income for 2018 was used to determine their rate of payment which is the last tax year for which complete data on self-employed income is available.
Any person who feels that the assessment of their earnings, based on returns already submitted to Revenue, is inaccurate can ask for a review of their case with further details available on www.gov.ie.
Where a persons rate is reduced to the flat rate €203 per week and their family circumstances are that they have adult or child dependents in their household it may be more financially beneficial to apply for a jobseekers payment.
A self-employed person who is continuing to operate their business at a reduced level may be eligible for support under the means tested jobseekers allowance scheme.
There are a range of supports available to employers from other Government Departments including the Department of Business, Department of Children and the Revenue Commissioners. Information on these supports is available gov.ie. My Department also recently announced the extension of the Enterprise Support Grant which will be made available to small business owners who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to re-open the business. The grant, of up to €1,000, will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. The Department is developing the systems to put it into effect and will communicate how to access the grant in the coming weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
694. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount of additional revenue that would be generated if the 2.6% PRSI of classes B, C or D increased to 3% or a minimum of €315. [15614/20]
View answerIt is understood from clarification received from the Deputy that the question refers to both employer and employee PRSI charges increasing to 3% or a minimum payment of €315.
It is estimated that an increase to the employee and employer rates of PRSI to 3% for PRSI Classes B, C and D would yield additional full year revenue of €70m.
Applying a minimum payment of €315, based on current rates, for employees and employers in respect of Classes B, C and D would yield an estimated additional full year revenue of €1.4m.
These estimates are based on the latest available data and reflects macro-economic indicators for 2020.
Theses estimates do not take into account any possible changes in contributor behaviour arising from increasing the rates of contribution.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
696. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the small business grant will be open for applications. [15823/20]
View answer716. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the applications will be available for the enterprise support grant for businesses impacted by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14969/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 696 and 716 together.
The Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25 June 2020 to re-start their business. A once-off grant will be awarded for 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000 covering vouched costs associated with re-opening a business which was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The grant will be available to self-employed individuals who satisfy the scheme conditions including, employing fewer than 10 people, having an annual turnover of less than €1 million and not being liable for commercial rates. This grant is available for micro enterprises that are not eligible for other similar COVID business re-start grants from other Government Departments.
Funding of €12 million has been provided for this grant and my Department is developing the systems to put this grant into effect and will communicate how to apply for the grant over the coming weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
697. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the development of a youth employment strategy in view of the fact that this sector will be greatly affected by Covid-19 and that the unemployment rate in 2019 for those under 35 years of age has still not recovered fully. [15860/20]
View answerGovernment policy to reduce youth unemployment is twofold:
- to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and
- to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register, including young people.
Providing education and employment opportunities to young jobseekers forms a central tenet of my Department’s Pathways to Work strategy and has been effective in reducing youth unemployment from a peak of over 30 percent in 2012 to a rate of 9.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019. Moreover, Ireland’s youth unemployment rate has been significantly lower than the EU27 rate for a number of years now; which highlights the progress that had been made in Ireland’s labour market recovery in recent years.
However, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting labour market conditions, the CSO estimated youth unemployment to be at 12.8 percent for June, with the COVID-adjusted rate at just over 45 percent. This COVID-adjusted rate is considered to be the upper bound, as all claimants of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment who are not already included on the Live Register are classified as unemployed.
My Department recently published a Working Paper entitled ‘The Initial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ireland’s Labour Market’, which highlights that those who have lost their jobs in the sectors most severely impacted as a result of the pandemic and the associated containment measures are more likely to be younger than the overall population. This disproportionate impact is driven by the high levels of young people in employment in the most affected sectors, namely ‘accommodation and food’ and ‘wholesale and retail trade’.
While planning for economic recovery it is crucial that we provide young people with holistic supports to assist them back to work and support new young entrants to compete for job vacancies in a competitive labour market. We must also not forget our disadvantaged youths who were unemployed prior to the Pandemic and face significant barriers to work.
Building and enhancing the skills of the workforce will be an important element of economic recovery; having regard to the skills currently in demand and those likely to be in demand by employers in the future. SOLAS are working in partnership with officials in my Department to develop an agile response which brings together and builds on existing further education and training expertise and resources to provide the recently unemployed cohort with the ‘Skills to Compete’ in the labour market. This activation initiative will support young people to develop their transversal skills and increase employability; build digital competency so as to flourish in the changing world of work; and participate in specific training targeting growth sectors and occupations.
Intreo, the public employment service which provides job search and activation supports will maintain a close relationship with SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) at a national and local level to identify appropriate opportunities for referral to re-skilling and upskilling opportunities for young jobseekers.
The Labour Market Advisory Council was convened by my predecessor earlier this year to provide advice to Government on employment and labour market issues. The first task assigned to the Council was to develop, as a matter of urgency, proposals for actions to tackle the labour market challenges arising from the pandemic. This mandate has resulted in the publication of a Policy Paper ‘Preparing for Economic Recovery’ by the Council, which will assist the Government in developing the public policy responses required to support national economic recovery. Among its recommendations, the Council recognise:
- The potential for targeted wage subsidies to ease labour market entrance for young workers in particular.
- The need to enhance and expand existing work placement programmes such as the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) to broader categories of jobseekers, including increasing the eligible age cohort to include those aged 25-29 years.
- The additional value to be gained by linking these programmes to upskilling and reskilling opportunities in enhancing the labour market prospects of young jobseekers.
Targeted policies to assist the labour market prospects and recovery for young jobseekers, will be a strong feature of the July stimulus package and the upcoming Pathways to Work 2020-2025 strategy, with strategy publication expected in Q3 2020.
698. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the feasibility of a basic income for artists and performers will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15919/20]
View answerWhere an artist or performer has lost their employment as a consequence of the pandemic they may avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at this time.
The main social welfare schemes for unemployed people are the jobseeker’s allowance and jobseekers benefit schemes which provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. A person must be fully unemployed for 4 days in 7 consecutive days to qualify for either scheme. They must also satisfy other conditions such as being available for and genuine seeking full time employment and in the case of jobseekers benefit entitlement a person must have sufficient PRSI contributions paid. If a person does not meet the contribution condition for jobseekers benefit they may be eligible for means tested jobseekers allowance. There is also the option of Jobseekers Benefit for the self-employed where the person has ceased trading.
The Professional Artist Scheme under jobseekers allowance, which was developed in consultation with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is a mechanism to assist self-employed artists who are temporarily in need of additional income support but wish to continue as a professional artist. The scheme acknowledges the status of self-employed artists in specified art forms and gives them a 12 month window to focus on building up their work before they became subject to labour market activation which is mandatory for most recipients of jobseekers payments.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to request the Low Pay Commission to examine Universal Basic Income, so any proposals on that issue will be addressed in that context.
699. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the increase in the pension age to 67 years of age has been deferred; the steps required to implement the policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16100/20]
View answer748. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for enacting commitments in the programme for Government on deferring the increase in the pension age in 2021 and the introduction of a transition payment for persons having to retire at 65 years of age; when legislation will be published to give effect to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15381/20]
View answer775. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the age at which persons are entitled to the old age pension; her plans to change the requirement for persons of 65 years of age and above who do not qualify for the old age pension to sign on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15695/20]
View answer785. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if new legislation will be required to ensure that State pensions are paid to those aged 66 years of age and over after 1 January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15989/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 699, 748, 775 and 785 together.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides for increases to the State pension age to make the State pension system more sustainable as life expectancy increases. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State Pension (Transition). This measure standardised the State pension age for all at 66 years. The legislation provides for increases to the State pension age - to 67 in 2021 and further to 68 in 2028.
The new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” states that the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred. This will require amendment to primary legislation and the Government will bring in the necessary legislation later this year.
Furthermore, a Commission on Pensions will be established to examine sustainability and eligibility issues in relation to State pensions and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission is to report to Government by June 2021 on options including the qualifying age, contribution rates, total contributions and eligibility requirements. The Government will take action, having regard to the recommendations of the Commission, within six months. Pending the Commission’s report and any subsequent Government decisions on its recommendations, it is intended that the State pension age will remain at 66 years as at present.
The Programme also proposes an “Early Retirement Allowance or Pension” for 65 year olds paid at the same rate as Jobseekers Benefit without a requirement to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. The new allowance will be introduced as early as possible for those who are retired from employment. Officials in my Department are currently assessing the necessary legislation, ICT systems and administrative processes required for the introduction of this payment.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
700. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the age and county profile of those who have had their pandemic unemployment payment rate changed to €203 from €350. [14662/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time-limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Government has recently approved the extension of the payment up to 10th August and announced a two-level payment structure to link the payment to gross prior earnings. This change to the payment structure ensures that the rate is fair and targeted. The age and county details for those receiving a €203 Pandemic Unemployment Payment the week ending July 11th are detailed in the table below.
|
County |
<25 |
25-34 |
35-44 |
45-54 |
55-59 |
60+ |
|
Carlow |
362 |
213 |
295 |
249 |
103 |
109 |
|
Cavan |
452 |
221 |
379 |
359 |
160 |
145 |
|
Clare |
626 |
339 |
557 |
615 |
282 |
254 |
|
Cork |
3357 |
1647 |
2183 |
2114 |
956 |
995 |
|
Donegal |
1466 |
744 |
1007 |
998 |
382 |
367 |
|
Dublin |
8410 |
7818 |
6636 |
5275 |
2163 |
2149 |
|
Galway |
1501 |
890 |
1275 |
1232 |
512 |
510 |
|
Kerry |
969 |
531 |
805 |
804 |
375 |
440 |
|
Kildare |
1340 |
625 |
1004 |
853 |
352 |
345 |
|
Kilkenny |
552 |
225 |
391 |
446 |
173 |
179 |
|
Laois |
342 |
220 |
333 |
295 |
114 |
133 |
|
Leitrim |
253 |
106 |
185 |
176 |
78 |
99 |
|
Limerick |
1014 |
778 |
803 |
681 |
301 |
320 |
|
Longford |
191 |
153 |
213 |
211 |
87 |
72 |
|
Louth |
929 |
508 |
768 |
743 |
279 |
232 |
|
Mayo |
891 |
376 |
594 |
600 |
320 |
336 |
|
Meath |
1122 |
599 |
950 |
935 |
386 |
365 |
|
Monaghan |
441 |
250 |
360 |
306 |
123 |
146 |
|
Offaly |
402 |
230 |
313 |
299 |
143 |
124 |
|
Roscommon |
390 |
177 |
293 |
345 |
148 |
162 |
|
Sligo |
484 |
208 |
332 |
253 |
136 |
166 |
|
Tipperary |
931 |
432 |
664 |
615 |
329 |
308 |
|
Waterford |
792 |
386 |
556 |
498 |
210 |
238 |
|
Westmeath |
562 |
290 |
412 |
397 |
178 |
178 |
|
Wexford |
875 |
491 |
708 |
718 |
305 |
318 |
|
Wicklow |
959 |
473 |
761 |
767 |
315 |
297 |
|
Unknown |
78 |
106 |
87 |
58 |
44 |
28 |
