Written Answers Nos. 432-457
432. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has examined the introduction of an appeals process for the pandemic unemployment benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5641/21]
View answerIn line with other statutory social welfare schemes, all decisions made by deciding officers of my Department in relation to entitlement to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment are bound by the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 (as amended) and associated regulations.
It is open to any person to request a review of any statutory decision made by my Department and any new evidence or information provided to the Department will be considered as part of this review. Under the provisions of Section 311 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 a person can also submit a request for an independent appeal of the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
433. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department provides written decisions to claimants in which a payment they have been receiving has been suspended. [5642/21]
View answerAll decisions made by deciding officers and designated persons of my Department in relation to entitlement to social welfare payments are bound by the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 (as amended) and associated regulations. The legislation provides for a transparent and fair decision making process in conjunction with the control of social welfare schemes. Every claimant is entitled to have their claim considered in the context of determinations of entitlement under the relevant social welfare legislation and in accordance with the principles of natural justice. A deciding officer or designated person may at any time revise any decision by reason of an error having been made in relation to the law or facts or in light of new evidence or facts brought to his or her attention since the date on which the original decision was made.
The legislation provides that any unfavourable statutory decision made by a deciding officer or designated person must be communicated in writing to the claimant outlining the reasons for the decision.
Generally payments are not suspended without the claimants advance knowledge and only where there is a valid reason for doing so. For example a payment might be suspended for failure on the claimants part to sign a declaration of unemployment or to reply to a request from my Department for information in order to progress a claim review or investigation.
Under the principles of natural justice where a person may be adversely affected by a decision to suspend their payment, the Department will provide the individual with an opportunity to refute or comment on any evidence or facts used in making such a determination. In such situations where the customer does not engage with the Department they are advised in writing that their payment may be suspended.
It is open to any person to request a review of any statutory decision made by my Department and any new evidence or information provided to the Department will be considered as part of this review. Under the provisions of Section 311 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 if a person is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review they can submit a request for an independent appeal of the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
434. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has sought to implement additional income supports for those working in the aviation sector (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5748/21]
View answerIn cases where a person's working hours have been reduced employees may claim part-time jobseeker payments or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment where they are not being remunerated.
To qualify for a jobseekers payment a person must be unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7 consecutive days. Jobseekers benefit is available to people who have sufficient social insurance contributions paid and satisfy the other qualifying conditions of the scheme.
Where a person doesn’t qualify for jobseekers benefit they may be eligible for the means tested jobseekers allowance.
I would advise that the individuals involved engage with their local Intreo centre to determine the appropriate support available to them.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
435. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance claim by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [5762/21]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 30th September 2020. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 6th November setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
A request for a review of the decision was received on the 24th November 2020. The application was re-examined by a deciding officer and the person concerned was notified on the 22nd January 2021 that the review was unsuccessful.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
436. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [5763/21]
View answerI 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 13 November 2020. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer's decision on 17 November 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.
I am advised that the person concerned submitted additional evidence on 3 December 2020 and that the Appeals Officer is now undertaking a review of the decision under section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of their appeal decision has been finalised.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for 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.
437. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which the processing of various applications for social welfare payments continues to be in line with best possible waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5764/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Claim processing times are currently well within the set targets. These are kept under active review to ensure this standard is maintained and improved on where possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
438. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which she and her office continue to ensure the making of a basic payment to applicants for social welfare payments while the primary application is being processed in order to alleviate hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5765/21]
View answerThe basic supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Anyone who wishes to make an application for a basic weekly SWA payment should contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place (1890 800 024) which will assist callers to make contact with the appropriate office.
If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case, he should bring the details to the attention of the Department and my officials will follow up on them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
439. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which waiting times for payments in respect of means-tested applications compare with contribution-related payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5766/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the different qualification criteria. In general, contribution based schemes require less strands of information from the customer at the initial application stage and may be decided without recourse to additional documentation. However, if information is required from social security organisations in other jurisdictions, this can affect processing times.
Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, can take longer to process. Means-tested payments can require more detailed investigation and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process.
Delays can occur if a claim is submitted and all the necessary supporting documentation is not included. To help my Department to make timely and fair decisions on applications, customers should ensure that they complete the application forms fully, attaching all the supporting documentation required as per the checklist provided on the application forms.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that claim processing is current well within the set targets and is kept under active review to ensure this standard is maintained and improved on where possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
440. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which emergency access to a payment is available to persons in challenging circumstances with particular reference to the ongoing impact of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5768/21]
View answerMy Department provides a range of supports for families and individuals in need of financial support during the Covid 19 pandemic. Financial assistance for individuals and households who are in challenging circumstances as a result of the pandemic is available through the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme.
The SWA scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. There are several payments within the scheme, including weekly payments, income supplements, Exceptional Needs Payments and Urgent Needs Payments, which are available to provide supports to people that are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme should contact the Community Welfare Service at their local INTREO centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place (1890 800 024) which will assist callers to make contact with the appropriate office.
If the Deputy has concerns about a particular case or particular issue relating to the Covid 19 pandemic, he should bring it to the attention of my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
441. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the appropriate level of pandemic unemployment payment continues to remain available to qualified applicants; if the list of qualified applicants is or can be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5769/21]
View answerThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme was introduced as a statutory scheme from the 5th August. To date the total cost of the scheme is approximately €5.5 billion.
To be eligible for the PUP a person must satisfy all of the scheme conditions which include that they must be of working age and have lost their employment as a consequence of the pandemic or in the case of a self employed person their trading income must have ceased or reduced to €960 or less over a rolling 8 week period due to COVID-19.
Where a person does not meet the eligibility conditions for PUP they may apply for a range of alternative income supports depending on their individual circumstances which can include jobseeker’s payments, pension, illness and caring related schemes.
Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial supports under the means-tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent Needs payment where the need is demonstrated. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie .
There are no plans to extend the eligibility requirements of the PUP scheme at this time.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
442. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the availability of exceptional needs payments in order to alleviate exceptional needs situations that have arisen in the context of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5770/21]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make an exceptional needs payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Government has provided €46.02 million for the exceptional and urgent needs schemes in 2021.
The exceptional needs payment scheme is available to provide supports to people who may be experiencing exceptional needs as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Payments are made 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. Exceptional needs payments are not subject to the habitual residence condition and payments can be made to people who do not qualify for other social welfare supports.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional needs payment should contact the Community Welfare Service at their local INTREO centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place (1890 800 024) which will assist callers to make contact with the appropriate office.
If the Deputy has concerns about a particular case or particular issue relating to the Covid 19 pandemic, he should bring it to the attention of my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
443. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a facility can be found and arranged to expedite oral hearings online or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5771/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that it is currently not possible to facilitate in-person oral hearings due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, the Social Welfare Appeals Office commenced conducting online appeal hearings on 11th November 2020. In addition, appeal hearings are being conducted via telephone, where suitable. Appeals also continue to be determined on the basis of written submissions. Since November 2020, a total of 167 appeal hearings have been conducted online or by phone. Such hearings can generally be arranged in a timely manner, assuming the parties to the appeal are available. The position in relation to the conducting of oral hearings is being kept under review by the Chief Appeals Officer.
Information in relation to oral hearings conducted online or by telephone is set out in the attached tables below.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Monthly Number of Oral Hearings held Online and by Phone
|
Month |
Total of Online and Phone |
Online |
Phone |
|
November 2020 |
37 |
13 |
24 |
|
December 2020 |
59 |
16 |
43 |
|
1st to 28th January 2021 |
71 |
27 |
44 |
|
Total |
167 |
56 |
111 |
444. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the State pension (contributory) awaiting decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5772/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to ensuring that State pension (contributory) claims are processed and pension entitlement decided as quickly as possible when all necessary information is to hand.
Processing of contributory pension claims depends on the individual nature of social insurance records and the applicant's circumstances. It is also dependent on the completeness of the application and the availability of the required information.
Standard State pension (contributory) applications are processed according to applicants’ dates of birth. The operational target for State pension (contributory) claims is 90% of timely applications awarded (where qualified) by entitlement date. My Department regularly exceeds this target; currently 96% of customers are notified of the outcome of their State pension (contributory) application in advance of their reaching pension age.
According to the most recent figures available, there are 4,624 applications awaiting decision. Applications from persons reaching pension age in March 2021 are now being processed. Thus, the majority of State pension (contributory) pending claims on hand are from applicants who have not yet reached pension age.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
445. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which due process and natural justice remains paramount in the context of dealing with social welfare recipients whose cases come under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5774/21]
View answerDecisions in relation to entitlement to social welfare payments are bound by the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 (as amended) and associated regulations. Every claimant is entitled to have their claim considered in accordance with the principles of natural and constitutional justice and in the context of determinations of entitlement under social welfare legislation. This does not vary at any point in the claim process - whether it is in the initial assessment of the claim, the decision to award or reject a claim, or a review of a claim decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
446. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals determined on a weekly basis; the number of appeals that arise each week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5775/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that in 2020, 23,664 appeals were registered and 26,790 were finalised. Of those finalised, 20,520 were decided by Appeals Officers, 5,204 were revised decisions made by my Department in favour of the appellant and 1,066 appeals were withdrawn.
The corresponding figures for 2019 were 22,397 appeals registered and 22,572 finalised. Of those finalized, 16,594 were decided by Appeals Officers, 4,669 were revised decisions made by my Department in favour of the appellant and 1,309 were withdrawn.
The number of appeals on hand at the end of 2020 was 5,662. This compares with 8,788 in 2019. The number of appeals on hand at the end of January 2021 was 5,305.
The attached table sets out the number of appeals registered and finalised in 2020 and for January 2021 and the average weekly statistics for both.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Annual and Weekly Appeals Statistics
|
Year |
2020 |
|
January 2021 |
|
|
|
Total |
Weekly Average |
Total |
Weekly Average |
|
Registered |
23,664 |
455 |
1,431 |
358 |
|
Finalised |
26,790 |
515 |
1,788 |
447 |
|
Appeals Officer decisions |
20,520 |
395 |
1,275 |
319 |
|
Revised decisions |
5,204 |
100 |
453 |
113 |
|
Withdrawn |
1,066 |
20 |
60 |
15 |
447. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5808/21]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 24 November 2020. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that the person concerned was substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 29 January 2021 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
448. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a case (details supplied). [5811/21]
View answerThe person concerned was in direct contact with my Department in relation to this matter and a response was issued to him in August 2020 addressing all matters raised.
The late mother of the person concerned was due arrears of pension for the period from 2004 to 2007. Unfortunately, due to an administrative error these arrears were not paid at the time they were due. Following contact from the person concerned, the arrears were paid to the estate in July 2020.
In recognition of the error in the delay in payment of arrears, an ex-gratia payment was also made to the estate.
It is always my Departments aim to provide the most efficient and professional service possible and unfortunately this was not the experience of the late mother of the person concerned in this instance. My Department has extended its apologies to the person concerned over the failure to pay the arrears to his late mother at the time.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
449. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment beyond 31 March; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5819/21]
View answerGovernment intervention through the introduction of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and other targeted supports has provided key financial assistance to employees and businesses who have been impacted by Covid-19. Since last March over 820,000 people have benefited from the PUP and the total expenditure is approximately €5.5 billion. These figures reflect the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 on our economy and society and demonstrate also the Government's commitment to continue to provide effective targeted supports.
PUP will remain available until 31st March 2021 at the existing rates of payment.
The Government will continue to keep all aspects of the PUP under review and future decisions will be informed by the trajectory of the pandemic and the evolving public health situation.
I hope that clarifies the position.
450. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the budget for her Department to meet increased demand arising from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5825/21]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection's revised estimate for 2021 was published in December 2020. These estimates provided for an expenditure allocation of €25.1 billion in 2021.
Level 5 restrictions were reintroduced from late December 2020. These restrictions were recently extended until 5th March 2021. Given the ongoing volatility of the labour market caused by the pandemic, it is difficult to predict the precise impact that these restrictions, and their eventual easing, will have on the Department's Covid-related expenditure.
My Department will continue to monitor expenditure throughout 2021.
451. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the payment rates for all participant workers of the community schemes; if she is considering increasing the rates of pay for community scheme workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5854/21]
View answerThe Community Employment (CE) Scheme 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.
The payment rates on CE are related to the underlying value of certain social protection payments plus €22.50 per week. In addition, a participant may be eligible, where appropriate, for payments in respect of any qualified dependent adult and children.
If a CE participant's underlying payment (including dependents) is €203 a week or less, they receive the minimum CE weekly rate of €225.50, that is €203 plus the top up of €22.50. If a participant's underlying payment (including dependents) was €203 or more, then they receive the same rate as their social welfare payment plus €22.50.
CE participants can retain their medical card and can also retain the extra benefits they were entitled to on their underlying scheme prior to joining CE, for example Fuel Allowance, Increase for Living Alone, Living on an Island and Travel Pass, provided they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions for those benefits.
CE participants can also work outside of the 19.5 hours that they participant on CE. The income from this employment does not affect their CE payment rate.
A number of Social Welfare payment increases took effect in January 2021 as part of measures introduced by Government in Budget 2021. The weekly payments for qualified child dependents increased by €5 to €45 for children aged 12 or over and by €2 to €38 for children aged up to 12. Fuel Allowance, which is paid during the fuel season each year, was increased by €3.50 to €28 per week. The Living Alone Allowance increased by €5 per week to €19 and the Island Allowance (paid to people living on certain offshore islands) increased by €7.30 to €20 per week. These increases benefitted many eligible CE participants.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants in particular given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services. However, it is not my intention to increase the payment rates for CE participants at this time.
452. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the household package scheme. [5886/21]
View answerThe Household Benefits Package is a set of allowances which help with the costs of running a household. It includes allowances towards covering electricity or gas costs as well as the television licence.
An application form for the Household Benefits Package has issued to the person concerned. Alternatively, the person concerned can apply online for their Household Benefits package on www.mywelfare.ie if they have a Public Services Card (PSC) and a verified MyGovId account.
On receipt of the completed application, the person's entitlement to HHB will be examined. The person will be notified, in writing, of the outcome. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
453. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if an extension can be granted to a person (details supplied) on a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5891/21]
View answerCommunity Employment (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.
Throughout the onset of the COVID-19 emergency in March 2020, the subsequent level 5 restrictions introduced in October 2020 and more recently, the return to level 5 restrictions announced by Government in December 2020, my Department has continued to provide the necessary funding for CE schemes while introducing other contingency measures, to support CE schemes and participants, including the extension of CE participant contracts.
It is standard practice that several months before a participant is due to leave a CE scheme, the Sponsor will advertise the vacancy on the JobsIreland.ie website. Eligibility checks for persons applying are carried out and referrals are made to the CE scheme by Case Officers and Local Employment Services Mediators. Sponsors can also advertise vacancies within their locality.
The person concerned commenced her CE placement on 04/12/2017. Under the current CE guidelines those entering CE on or after 03/07/2017 are permitted to remain on CE for a maximum of 3 years. Accordingly, the person concerned was due to complete her 3 years participation on 29/11/2020.
Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, however, in order to ensure business continuity and minimal disruption in the administration of payroll to CE participants and CE supervisors, a special across the board extension was granted by my Department which extended the person’s end date on the scheme to 26/03/2021.
The upcoming vacancy is currently advertised on the JobsIreland.ie website and Department officials will work with the sponsoring authority to identify potential CE candidates for this vacancy.
My Department is committed to supporting the CE sponsoring authorities in the valuable services that they deliver across communities through these particularly challenging times.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
454. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if self-employed persons will receive PRSI credits while in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5929/21]
View answerA self-employed worker whose income is €5,000 or more in a contribution year, is liable to pay a social insurance contribution at the class S rate of 4% on such income, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. Where the social insurance liability is paid in full in respect to a contribution year, 52 contribution weeks at the self-employed social insurance class are regarded as having been paid for that contribution year. Therefore, the need for credited weekly contributions does not arise for self-employed contributors.
Self-employed workers in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and who are seeking to maintain their business can have an income of up to €960 over an eight-week period and retain their full payment. Such recipients simply need to inform the Department of Social Protection if their income is over €960 in any eight-week period.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 makes provision for the attribution of social insurance contributions, for a period that may be prescribed, for employed contributors who are beneficiaries of certain Covid-19 income supports including the pandemic unemployment payment.
That Act also makes provision for the Minister for Social Protection, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to make regulations, having considered certain matters set out in the Act including the potential impact of Covid-19 on the entitlements of employed and self-employed contributors and the manner in which social insurance contributions are paid by employed and self-employed contributors, to apply the attribution of contributions measure to persons specified in those regulations.
A self-employed contributor has nine months following the end of the contribution year, or from the day in the contribution year in which he or she ceases to be such a contributor, to remit and pay his or her social insurance liability for that contribution year. For example, self-employed contributors have until September 2021 to pay their social insurance contribution in respect of the 2020 contribution year.
Once data on the social insurance returns made by self-employed workers in respect of 2020 are available later this year or early in 2022, I and my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, will be in a position to consider the factors set out in the Act and decide if regulations are necessary to protect the social insurance entitlements of certain self-employed workers who were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and who were not in a position to discharge their social insurance liability for 2020.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
455. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a PPSN application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6009/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. A letter issued to the person concerned on 1st February 2021 with details of the PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
456. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the duration of community employment schemes due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6010/21]
View answerThe Community Employment (CE) Scheme 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.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has continued to provide funding and support for CE schemes since the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March, 2020. During each period of Level-5 restrictions, CE participants, whose contracts were due to end during the period of these restrictions have had their contracts extended for the duration of these restrictions. The latest CE contract extension date is the 26th March, 2021 which will continue to be monitored having regard to Government guidelines and restrictions.
Over 5,000 contracts which were due to come to an end since last October are having their contracts extended under this latest arrangement. However, there will be no cliff edge or sudden cut off point for ending this number of contracts on whatever the final date of extensions will be. Subsequent to final extension date, there will be a planned ending of contracts on a phased basis, over a period of time, in order to ensure continuity of local services.
I am aware of the CE recruitment challenges arising from the current restrictions which has had an impact on the ability of some CE schemes to recruit new CE participants and on Intreo activation staff in referring new participants to schemes. My Department officials both centrally and in local Intreo Offices continue to work with CE sponsoring authorities to identify and refer potential CE participants to schemes where it is safe to do so in compliance with public health restrictions.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. CE will continue to be made available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
457. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an organisation (details supplied) will be recognised as the representative body to implement the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5703/21]
View answerThis is not a matter within the remit of my Department. However, I will bring the matter to the attention of my colleague the Minister for Education.
