Seán Sherlock
Question:713. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the introduction of universal basic income; and if research has been carried out by her Department on the costs involved. [21899/20]
View answerSocial Welfare Schemes
Questions (713)
Written answers
The Programme for Government states that the Low Pay Commission is to examine Universal Basic Income, informed by a review of previous international pilots, and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the Government.
This matter will be progressed in line with the Programme for Government commitment and a referral to the Low Pay Commission will be made in due course.
Question No. 714 answered with Question No. 710.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (715)
Seán Sherlock
Question:715. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and type of events funded by her Department in 2020 that did not take place in tabular form; the cost of funding each event; and if that funding will remain in place for 2021. [21901/20]
View answerWritten answers
For the purposes of this Question, events are considered to be those that are directly funded and organised by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. In relation to the issue of funding remaining in place for 2021, the Deputy will be aware that the Department's funding is allocated on an annual basis and the 2021 budget allocation has not yet been made. To assist in answering the Deputy's' question, however, business units have indicated where they foresee that a budget is likely to be re-allocated for 2021.
|
Event |
Planned Event Details |
Cost incurred in 2020 |
Funding remains in place for 2021 |
|
Disability Awareness Breakfast Morning |
Wednesday 4th March Westcourt Hotel Drogheda To raise awareness of a range of supports available form DEASP to employers when employing a person with a disability |
No Cost incurred |
N/A |
|
Meet the Employer Information Event |
On-site in the Direct Provision Centre, Mosney, Co Meath. 3rd March 2020 The event intended to provide group information sessions, one to one engagements with Case Officers and a 'meet the employer' opportunity to help individuals to discuss and secure employment. |
Budget c. €647.50 No costs incurred on cancellation |
2021 Budget Allocation yet to be determined but provision likely to be made |
|
2020 DEASP Assistant Principal (AP) Forum |
Annual Management Forum to APs due to be held in Dublin Castle in April 2020. |
€12,200 spent on AP Forum in 2019 – similar figure anticipated for 2020 prior to cancellation |
2021 Budget Allocation yet to be determined but provision likely to be made |
|
46 Staff Forums for staff of DEASP |
10 HEO Forums 11 EO Forums 25 CO Forums |
€125,000was allocated for staff fora in 2020; spend to date is €52,900 |
2021 Budget Allocation yet to be determined but provision likely to be made |
|
2020 Social Welfare Summer School (in conjunction with Department of Communities, Northern Ireland) |
Contribution towards cost for the Summer School (which took place online in 2020 instead- the planned in person event cancelled) |
€5,000 was allocated for 2020 Summer School and there has been no spending incurred to date |
2021 Budget Allocation yet to be determined but provision likely to be made |
|
OneDEASP Awards |
Staff Recognition Awards |
Plannedfor later in the year. No spending to date |
2021 Budget Allocation yet to be determined but provision likely to be made |
|
2020 Social Inclusion Forum |
An annual day-long forum focusing on poverty and social inclusion which includes a plenary session and a number of workshops. Proposed new date in November 2020 |
€1,125 deposit paid for venue. Deposit is refundable under Force Majeure condition which includes a provision re the COVID-19 pandemic |
2021 Budget Allocation yet to be determined but provision likely to be made |
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (716)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:716. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider proposals to allow participants on a community employment scheme that are over 55 years of age to continue participating on the scheme until they reach retirement age, in view of the difficulties that persons of this age experience gaining alternative employment and the importance of their participation on the scheme to their health and wellbeing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21930/20]
View answerWritten answers
Community Employment (CE) 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. It helps to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.
A number of new conditions were introduced on CE in July 2017 to further support progression and broaden access to CE to a wider range of people. In general, all CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years will be for 1 year. However, CE participants who are working towards a major educational or training award can seek to extend participation by up to two years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification. In addition, those over 55 years of age can remain on CE for three years.
An overall lifetime limit of 6 years will apply to all CE participants (7 years for those from a disability payment). A person may re-qualify for CE after 12 months of being in receipt of a qualifying payment, provided they have not reached their lifetime limit.
Participants over age 62 are allowed to participate on a continuous basis up to the State Pension age on the CE Service Support Stream (SSS), subject to availability of places on the SSS, satisfactory performance on the scheme and to annual approval by the Department. The places allocated for these participants within each individual CE scheme are subject to limitation criteria.
The Department has no current plans to abolish or to extend the six-year rule on CE schemes for those aged over 55. I am mindful of ensuring that there is capacity on the scheme, within the financial allocation available to my Department, to enable other jobseekers access to the work experience and training opportunities available through Community Employment.
While I appreciate that there are some participants who would like to stay on the scheme, the Deputy will appreciate that any extension would have a knock-on effect on others who wish to participate.
Social Welfare Code
Questions (717)
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:717. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a MyGovID account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21933/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that the person referred to by the Deputy has held a basic MyGovID account since 13th July 2020.
With a basic MyGovID account, a person can access a number of services, such as requesting a statement of their PRSI contributions or checking their eligibility to certain benefits.
To hold a verified MyGovID account, a person must have authenticated their identity through the SAFE registration process and they must have a mobile phone and have verified their mobile phone number with the Department.
The reason a mobile phone is required is that, each time a person logs into their verified account, a security code is sent to their mobile phone. They must then enter this code to access their account. This ensures the security of their account and their personal data, and is an essential step in verifying their online identity.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension
Questions (718)
Brendan Griffin
Question:718. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21934/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 May 2020. 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 Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10 July 2020. The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 15 July 2020 who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required and if Covid-19 restrictions allow, 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.
Jobseeker's Benefit
Questions (719)
Catherine Murphy
Question:719. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the amount of time that jobseeker’s benefit is payable in terms of the post Covid-19 outlook (details supplied); her plans for the cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21940/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 2020 revised estimates for my Department provide for expenditure this year on Jobseekers Benefit (including Jobseekers Benefit for the Self- employed) of €1.58 billion.
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 has exhausted their entitlement for Jobseeker’s Benefit they may apply for support under the means tested Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme.
The July Stimulus package contained significant funding of some €200 million in supports towards education, upskilling and work placements for people who are unemployed, to help them avail of employment opportunities as the economy gradually reopens. It also includes more apprenticeships and incentives for employers to hire young unemployed people. Details of these employment support service measures to assist people back to work are available on www.gov.ie
Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie
The Jobseekers schemes are continually monitored particularly in the context of COVID-19 and any changes would need to be considered in the context of the Budget having regard to available resources.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 720 answered with Question No. 646.
State Pensions
Questions (721)
John McGuinness
Question:721. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a promised report on the qualification for the State pension; and the timeline for the completion of same and a decision by her. [21953/20]
View answerWritten answers
The public policy and social issues in relation to funding a sustainable and adequate State pension system are complex. Therefore, the Government is establishing a Commission on Pensions to examine a range of issues including contributions, calculation methods, sustainability, eligibility and intergenerational fairness. The Terms of Reference for the Commission on Pensions are currently being developed and options for its membership are being considered. Proposals will be brought to Government in that regard as soon as possible. Once it has concluded its deliberations, the Commission will report to Government by June of next year.
In the meantime, pending the report of the Commission on Pensions and decisions taken on its recommendations, this Government has clearly stated that the State pension age will remain at 66 years and will not be increased to 67 in January 2021 as currently legislated for. This will require amendment to primary legislation and the Government will bring the necessary legislation before the Oireachtas later this year.
This Government is acutely conscious of the need to consider the sustainability of the State’s finances. However, this is not the only consideration when thinking of the State pension age. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. The Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance
Questions (722)
Bernard Durkan
Question:722. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review can be undertaken into eligibility for a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21973/20]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 29 May 2020.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided to disallow the application for CA on grounds that the person concerned was taking part in a Community Employment (CE) Scheme. Section 247 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended, prohibits a person engaged in a CE Scheme from claiming Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.
The person concerned was notified on 11 August 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. To date he has exercised neither right.
Should the circumstances of the person concerned change, he can request a review of his claim or submit a new application form.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance
Questions (723)
Mark Ward
Question:723. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (detail supplied) did not receive carer's allowance while caring for their dying spouse; and if the allowance can be paid retrospectively and an acknowledgment be made for the care given by the person to their spouse. [21986/20]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
I can confirm that my department received two applications for CA from the person concerned, the first on 31 Jul 2019, in respect of her husband and the second on 6 August 2019, in respect of her daughter.
In the case of the application received on 6 August 2019, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 3 September 2019 with effect from 8 August 2019. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 12 September 2019. Arrears due from 8 August 2019 to 11 September 2019 issued also.
The person concerned was notified on 3 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The evidence submitted in support of the application received on 31 July 2019 was examined and the deciding officer decided that the person concerned did not make the claim for CA within the prescribed timeframe. The person they were caring for was deceased prior to receipt of the application.
The person concerned was notified on 24 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 2 October 2019.
The outcome of the appeal is that the original decision is confirmed.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (724)
Colm Burke
Question:724. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exemption to the requirement to be unemployed for 12 months before being eligible for the community employment programme will be granted for those working in community and voluntary organisations to ensure adequate staff is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21997/20]
View answerWritten answers
Community Employment (CE) is a positive initiative that enables the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for employment opportunities that will become available. The scheme can play an important role in breaking the cycle of long-term unemployment for some people and improve their chances of employment.
In order to qualify for CE, a number of conditions, including being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period, must be met. The focus of CE is on the cohort of long-term unemployed people and the programme is monitored on an on-going basis to ensure that the schemes are meeting the needs of both the communities and CE participants.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. A number of new conditions were introduced on CE in July 2017 to further support progression and broaden access to CE to a wider range of people.
The recent Covid-19 emergency has resulted in a significant increase in the number of people on the Live Register which has resulted in increased pressure on the Department's employment and activation programmes. It is therefore essential that the Department continues to provide adequate training and development opportunities on CE schemes for those who are furthest removed from the labour market and most at risk of remaining long-term unemployed.
Places on CE will therefore continue to be available to support those who are long term unemployed while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
The Department has no plans to change the eligibility criteria of CE at this juncture.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (725)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:725. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the arrangements and restrictions in place for education and training for participants of social protection programmes such as community employment, Tús and so on; and if classes and other activities must be restricted to six participants. [22006/20]
View answerWritten answers
Community Employment (CE) 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. It helps to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.
CE is delivered through independent CE Sponsoring Authorities. The contract agreement between the Department and the CE Sponsoring Authorities establishes their role as an independent contractor, responsible for all activity and all persons recruited by them.
Participant development is a key element of Community Employment and includes development opportunities provided through the scheme work programme and through education and training which is delivered under the Participant Development Grant. The training provided through CE is delivered within a Quality Assurance framework that leads to major awards on the National Framework of Qualifications.
This training is carried out by external providers who are responsible for ensuring that all training provided should be in line with current Government and HSE/HPSC guidelines, including the number of participants that can be accommodated and the required social-distancing measures.
Throughout the Covid-10 emergency, my Department officials have reminded CE Sponsoring Authorities and Tús Implementing bodies of the need to remain aware and to comply with all published Covid-19 related guidelines available.
Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme
Questions (726)
Brendan Griffin
Question:726. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a partial capacity benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22011/20]
View answerWritten answers
Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) allows a person who has been in receipt of Illness Benefit for six months and who may not have full capacity for work, to return to employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment from the Department.
The personal rate of payment is based on the assessment of the persons restriction on capacity for work i.e. Moderate, Severe or Profound, whereby they retain 50%, 75%, or 100% of their payment respectively.
The Partial Capacity Benefit claim from the person concerned has been processed. A letter issued on the 31st August 2020 informing the claimant that he has been assessed as having a moderate restriction on his capacity to work and asked that he inform the department before starting work in order that his claim be put into payment.
Once the Department has received a return to work date from the person concerned he can be put on to a PCB payment.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (727, 762)
Seán Canney
Question:727. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears in payments for Covid-19 will be processed (details supplied). [22045/20]
View answer
Seán Haughey
Question:762. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears due to claimants of the pandemic unemployment payment will be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22518/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 762 together.
Since the introduction of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme in March, approx. 750,000 people have applied for payment and in some cases, they have done so on a number of occasions as they moved in and out of employment. Consequently, there are over 1 million applications to be examined to determine if arrears are due.
During the month of March, my Department received and processed jobseeker claims equivalent in number to a three year claim-load. These applications were processed as quickly as possible, with almost 59,000 people paid in the first week of the scheme, 283,000 people paid in the following week, and over 507,000 people in the third week of the scheme.
My Department is keenly aware that many people are due some arrears and that every case will be different. In order to address an issue of this scale, the Department is currently developing an automated process, which will examine each case and look at their overall entitlement to payment and match this against their payment history. The work involved is complex as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment system itself evolved from a manual applications system to one where applications were submitted online and paid over two different payment platforms (one from March to July and the second from July to date).
Given the complexity attached to the project, it will take some time yet to complete the necessary development work to review all cases and to determine to what extent, if any, arrears are due to individuals. I can assure the Deputies that this is a priority for the Department.
I hope that this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
Carer's Allowance
Questions (728)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:728. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting since March 2020 for a decision to be made on their appeal for a carer’s allowance; and the length of time they will have to wait. [22091/20]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The person concerned applied for CARB on the 6 February 2020 and the evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied for the care recipient.
The person concerned was notified on 12 March 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
An appeal request was received in March 2020.
On reviewing the claim for appeal submission, the Deciding Officer examined all of the evidence on hand. Based on this evidence the Deciding Officer found that the care recipient fulfills the requirement of needing full time care and has consequently overturned the original disallowance of the claim.
The person concerned has now been awarded CARB from 12 March 2020 and a decision letter issued has issued to him.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Questions (729)
Brendan Griffin
Question:729. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an option to receive or collect State pension payments weekly will be provided to recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22095/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department introduced a series of measures to maintain social welfare payments while assisting with social distancing measures designed to combat the spread of the Coronavirus.
Fortnightly payments were introduced to minimise the need for people to attend and queue in banks or post offices to collect payments, so helping people restrict their movements to essential activities only. These were introduced on a ‘payment in advance’ basis so people did not have to wait two weeks for a payment.
Some welfare scheme payments have now reverted to a weekly payment pattern, including One-parent Family Payment, Working Family Payment, Illness Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide the option of a weekly payment collection for any welfare scheme that is still being paid on a fortnightly basis. For technical reasons, all payments on a welfare scheme must be processed with the same payment frequency.
Those payments, including State Pensions, which are remaining on a fortnightly payment pattern, will continue to be reviewed by the Department in line with the best available health advice.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (730)
Joan Collins
Question:730. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if workers that have an underlying illness such as COPD, immune deficiencies and so on will continue to receive the pandemic unemployment payment if they cannot return to work due to their illness. [22104/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a payment for employees and self-employed who are out of work (i.e. fully unemployed) due to a downturn in economic activity related to COVID-19. People who meet the criteria set out for the Payment will continue to receive it if their workplace is closed and they are genuinely seeking work. However, people who can return to work but do not do so due to an underlying illness are not eligible for the payment.
People who are considered high risk under the HSE guidelines in relation to COVID-19 are not entitled to the enhanced Illness Benefit payment for any period unless they have been diagnosed with or informed that they are a probable source of infection of COVID-19. Standard Illness Benefit payment may be payable subject to normal certification and eligibility criteria, where a medical practitioner provides a certificate of incapacity stating that a person is incapable of work due to the medical condition. Standard illness benefit is paid at a maximum weekly personal rate of €203. Increases may also be paid for qualifying adults and children. This may be paid for an extended period, depending on the person’s continued eligibility. Standard illness benefit is the primary income support payment in this State for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type apart from the COVID-19.
Employees who cocoon without a medical certificate may approach their employer in relation to taking annual or other paid leave - this is at the discretion of the employer. Many employers can, and do, agree leave arrangements with staff who need to take short periods of time off. These include arrangements to enable employees to work remotely from home, to work-up time taken, or to bring forward annual leave entitlements from future work periods. The Government has encouraged employers to support workers with leave requests at this difficult time and those with underlying health conditions should be facilitated where possible.
The Return to Work Safely Protocol provides that if an at-risk or vulnerable worker cannot work from home and must be in the workplace, employers must make sure that they are preferentially supported to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres. However, employers should enable vulnerable workers to work from home where possible.
In general, if people have additional expenses related to their illness or they are struggling financially, they can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is a means-tested payment.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
Employment Rights
Questions (731)
Catherine Murphy
Question:731. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person that is temporarily laid off work is subject to the definition of a break in service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22125/20]
View answerWritten answers
Provisions in relation to continuity of employment are contained in the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973. The First Schedule to the Act provides that a lay-off shall not amount to the termination by an employer of his employee’s service.
An employee's service is considered continuous unless he/she is either dismissed or voluntarily leaves his/her job.
If the employees have concerns or complaints regarding their employment rights, the mechanism for them to use is the Workplace Relations Commission. The WRC is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. The Customer Service section of the WRC operates a telephone helpline at 1890 808090. They can provide further information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 732 answered with Question No. 651.