Written Answers Nos. 978-1002
978. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the process through which her Department drafts and produces legislation; if her Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since she took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. [14427/21]
View answerLegislation in the Department of Social Protection is driven mainly by commitments in the Programme for Government. The legislative programme is also based on other Government policy priorities that seek to ensure that Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration legislation can respond to the evolving needs of society and, in particular, the Department's customers.
Since my appointment as Minister, I have brought two pieces of primary legislation through the Oireachtas - the Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 which put the Covid-Pandemic Unemployment Payment on a discrete legislative footing and the Social Welfare Act 2020 which implemented Budget 2021 measures announced last October.
Officials from my Department have collaborated closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in the drafting of this legislation. No drafting was outsourced and consequently there were no such external costs.
979. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection when the application process for public services cards will reopen given that the current closure means that young people applying for their first full driver licence cannot apply for a test without a valid card and the lack of card processing availability is having a negative impact on their ability to obtain a full licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14448/21]
View answerAt the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily suspended Public Services Card (PSC) appointments and the online system used to manage those appointments. This decision was taken in order to comply with HSE and World Health Organization guidelines and help protect the health and well-being of our customers and staff. Decisions regarding the reinstatement of these services have been made with regard to the importance of ensuring the continuing safety of customers and staff.
PSC appointments are currently suspended due to the prevailing Level 5 restrictions, but appointments are available for urgent cases in circumstances where the customer has no alternative means of accessing public services other than by acquiring a PSC. So far this year, my Department has carried out over 11,000 PSC appointments in such cases.
Any person urgently requiring a PSC should contact their local Intreo Centre.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
980. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reverse the policy for community employment workers that has taken the past year into account in terms of time worked despite restrictions being in place for the vast majority of that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14454/21]
View answer1014. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the period for which persons can remain on community employment schemes given that their participation during the past year of Covid-19 have been severely constrained. [15345/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 980 and 1014 together.
Community 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.
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. A number of CE schemes, which provide essential community services, were in a position to continue to deliver these services, while complying with public health restrictions in place at differing times over the past year.
During each period of Level-5 restrictions, CE participants, whose contracts were due to end during these restrictions, have had their contracts extended for the duration of these restrictions, as a minimum.
Earlier this month, Minister Humphreys and I announced a further CE contract extension for participants, up until 2nd July 2021. Over 7,000 CE and Tús participants will benefit from this latest contract extension, that applies to all participants whose contracts have been due to finish since end-October, 2020.
It is important to note that when CE participants are eventually due to finish on their respective schemes after the 2nd July, their exit will be undertaken on a coordinated, phased basis over a number of months. This will support the ongoing delivery of services by schemes and also assist with the recruitment of future candidates to the schemes.
The latest extension will provide many participants with additional time to complete their training and work experience on CE. Where a CE participant finishes up on CE scheme without completing the training outlined in their Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and if unfortunately they remain unemployed, they may continue their development through a range of training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant (TSG) and the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). Department case officers will engage with the former CE participant to discuss the available options.
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 these programmes and will continue to support and improve the programmes for the benefit of the CE & Tús participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies matters.
981. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the negative effects that changes made to the partial capacity scheme are having on persons who have very significant impairments and who are trying to return to work for rehabilitative purposes; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that persons on an invalidity pension went back to work on the understanding that they could receive a partial capacity payment and their employer would get the wage subsidy scheme only to now discover that whereas once a person could get both now it is one or the other; her views on whether the change was sufficiently communicated to both Departmental staff and would-be applicants for partial capacity payment; her plans to reverse the changes made to the regime in October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14465/21]
View answer982. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the effect that changes made to the partial capacity benefit regime in September 2020 are having on persons registered blind such as a person (details supplied) but who were on an invalidity pension as opposed to disability allowance or the blind pension prior to returning to work for rehabilitative purposes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that forcing these persons to choose between partial capacity payment or their employer receiving the wage subsidy scheme will mean that persons in this scenario may have to give up work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14466/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 981 and 982 together.
My Department did not make any changes to the Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) scheme in 2020.
PCB is a scheme which extends the welfare system by explicitly recognising and responding to the reality that some people with disabilities will have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive income support from the State.
People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit who wish to return to work are eligible for PCB if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition.
It is important to note in relation to PCB that:
- participation on the scheme is voluntary.
- there is no requirement that a person must only undertake work that is of a ‘rehabilitative' or 'therapeutic' nature (no exemptions need to be sought from DSP).
- there is no restriction on the number of hours that can be worked.
- there are no restrictions on the amount that can be earned from employment.
- a person who participates on the PCB scheme may return to an Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension payment if, for example, the employment ceases or if the person cannot continue to work.
- a person on the PCB scheme, with an underlying entitlement to Invalidity Pension, will retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years.
PCB allows people to continue to receive a percentage of their Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension payment while working. The personal rate of payment of PCB is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction regarding their capacity for work, whether the person was in receipt of Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension and their current rate of payment. After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their previous payment continues at 50, 75 or 100 per cent, respectively.
As of Q1 2021, 3,222 people are in receipt of/have requested to move on to PCB. This is an increase of 7% year on year.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) is comprised of a number of financial incentives aimed at private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage such employers to employ / hire jobseekers with disabilities.
Private sector employers may claim a subsidy against the cost incurred where a productivity shortfall arises resulting from a candidate/employee having a disability. This is subject to certain conditions, e.g. the contract of employment offered must be for a minimum of 21 hours a week and be for a minimum duration of six months.
The basic rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour giving a total annual subsidy available of €10,748 per year based on a 39-hour week.
Additional funding is also available under the WSS to encourage companies to employ more than one person who has a disability.
As of Q1 2021 there are 1,586 employers claiming subsidies in respect of 2,562 ‘employments’, this is a slight decrease of 0.91% year on year in respect of employers and a decrease of 1.61% in respect of employees.
PCB and the WSS are therefore different: the WSS provides financial incentives for private sector employers to offer employment to job seekers with disabilities, while PCB is an income support provided to individuals who are seeking to move into employment but who will require a significant level of on-going financial support from the state.
The WSS is an administrative scheme and amendments to guidelines do not require legislative change. When amendments are made, a Circular is issued outlining the amendment.
To provide clarity on the existing practice, the guidelines were amended in April 2019 to explicitly note that Partial Capacity Benefit is on the list of schemes under ‘Employee Eligibility’ which an employee must not be in receipt of if an employer is to avail of a subsidy, as it is based on an underlying entitlement to Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension.
Prior to this amendment, the Wage Subsidy Guidelines stated that a person cannot be in receipt of Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension for the purposes of the employer subsidy scheme. As stated above, eligibility for Partial Capacity Benefit is derived only from Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension and the amount paid is calculated directly as a percentage of the eligible payment from which the person comes. It is important to note, a person who participates on the PCB scheme may return to an Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension payment if, for example, the person cannot continue to work.
For a private sector employer to qualify for a WSS subsidy for an employment position, the candidate/employee must not be claiming Illness Benefit, Invalidity Pension or Partial Capacity Benefit. This is to avoid a situation whereby dual funding is being provided in respect of a single employment position. Allowing the direction of two support payments to a single employment position would have significant cost implications.
I will continue to keep the Department’s employment support schemes for people with disabilities, including the Wage Subsidy Scheme, under review to ensure that they continue to meet their policy objectives. However, any potential changes to these schemes can only be considered as part of the wider budgetary context.
983. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by persons (details supplied) which is under appeal will now be expedited and approved. [14467/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15 February 2021. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing. Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone. Due to the current level of Covid-19 restrictions in-person oral appeal hearings have been suspended.
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.
985. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to allow a person (details supplied) to qualify as a carer for persons. [14586/21]
View answerCarer'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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for CA in respect of two care recipients on 07 May 2020.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit. The person concerned did not provide such certificates, documents information or evidence as requested and means could not be determined.
It is a further condition for CA that the applicant be considered habitually resident in this State. A Deciding Officer (DO), based on the evidence submitted, decided the person concerned was not habitually resident in the State.
Both applications for CA were disallowed and the person concerned was notified on 15 July 2020 of these decisions, the reason for them and of her right of review and appeal.
A review was requested on 5 August 2020. Following this review, the decisions remained unchanged.
A further review was requested on 23 September 2020. Documentation was submitted and the means condition was satisfied. However, the habitual residency condition was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 27 October 2020 that she does not have an entitlement to CA, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
986. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an illness benefit appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14624/21]
View answerThe Department received an application for Occupational Injury Benefit on the 24th December 2020. The person concerned was making an application for an illness arising out of an occupational accident that occurred on the 1st November 2016.
Occupational Injury Benefit claims are only payable in respect of periods of illness occurring within 26 weeks from the date of an occupational accident or the development of a prescribed occupational disease. The claim from the person concerned was disallowed as it was made outside of this 26 week period, and a decision letter issued to them on the 19th February 2021.
Following the disallowance of Occupational Injury Benefit, the person concerned was assessed for Illness Benefit. They have been awarded Illness Benefit (IB) from the 19th December 2020, the date from which they have provided medical evidence to support their claim. They have been awarded IB at a rate of €91.10 per week, and all arrears due to them have issued. An award letter issued to the person concerned dated the 15th March 2021 which gives them the details of this decision.
An appeal form for Occupational Injury Benefit and Illness Benefit was received on the 10th March 2021 and has been forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office to be registered.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
987. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis her Department has carried out into the temporary expansion of the back to education scheme for the duration of Covid-19 restrictions or the development of a similar temporary scheme to include persons currently being paid reduced wages through the employment wage subsidy scheme to facilitate them returning to third-level education in September 2021; the engagement she has had with the Ministers for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Finance in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14672/21]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) second chance education opportunities scheme is for jobseekers, lone parents and people with disabilities who would like to undertake a full-time education course at second or third level. The main focus of the BTEA is to assist eligible individuals who are not in employment to improve their educational qualifications and increase their prospects of gaining employment. My Department has a provision of €96.5m in supports under the BTEA for 2021. This represents a considerable investment in supporting participants to acquire the necessary education and skills to re-enter the labour market.
As an exceptional measure, this scheme was extended as part of the July Stimulus in response to Covid-19 whereby the qualification period for Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) recipients is waived. This was discussed and agreed by all Government members, including the Minster for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister for Finance.
This measure provides that those who lost their employment during the pandemic have immediate access to a range of educational options. There are in excess of 6,000 students in receipt of the BTEA for the 2020/2021 academic year. Almost 600 of these received PUP at some stage prior to transitioning to the BTEA. In order to avail of continued financial support while pursuing a full-time course, a person in receipt of PUP is required to apply for a jobseeker payment. The BTEA is payable at the jobseekers rate while they are in education and continue to have an entitlement to the payment.
Policy in relation the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. Individuals who are being paid reduced wages where their employer is in receipt of the EWSS are in employment and would not eligible for the BTEA supports available for unemployed individuals. The conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to ensure that they address the objective of supporting welfare recipients into employment.
The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Further and Higher Education research innovation and science represents the primary support for persons pursuing education, including those currently in employment.
I hope that this clarifies the position for you.
988. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14676/21]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 4 February 2021. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that she was substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 26 February 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). No request for an appeal or review has been received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
989. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 564 of 10 March 2021, the employment service model that will replace the local employment schemes from 2021; if the procurement process is ongoing for this replacement; if so, the stage the process is at; if her Department will publish its report on contracted services such as local employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14700/21]
View answerMy Department is continuing to design the future model of employment service provision, and this will incorporate the learnings from the analysis of existing services as well as best international practice. Key to this process is ensuring that my Department has sufficient capacity in its employment service provision to support those individuals that are unemployed including those who have been impacted by the pandemic. Details of my Department's approach to employment service provision will be contained in the Request for Tenders, which will be published in due course.
I previously informed the House that the external consultants’ report, which reviewed my Department's entire Public Employment Services provision was referred to the Labour Market Advisory Council (LMAC) for their views. I recently received a response from the LMAC, which my officials are currently considering at present.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
990. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of her Department that have required her sanction; the time that elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. [14785/21]
View answerThe capital allocation for my Department is primarily used to deliver IT modernisation and carry out refurbishments on the Department’s buildings. The Department's building capital works are carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in accordance with Government Guidelines. The Department may part-fund some of these works from its own capital budget.
The Department identifies and notifies the OPW of all capital work requirements. The timing of these works is determined by the progress made by the OPW in identifying existing or potential premises and in carrying out the necessary planning permission, procurement and fit-out of the premises prior to handover.
My Department's ICT capital expenditure provision enables the Department to continue to modernise its business systems and replace legacy computer systems and ICT infrastructure. This involves the continued migration of business functionality to the Department’s strategic ICT platform and the development of a digital services platform. It also includes continued investment in datacenters, physical ICT infrastructure, security systems, and ensuring that the complex ICT environment remains fit for purpose. The Department continues to invest in upgrading and replacing its desktop and laptop devices to the latest operating systems.
The following are the top areas where expenditure was incurred in 2020.
ICT Expenditure
- Storage Technology: €1.96m
- Laptops €1.44m
- PC's €0.75m
- Windows Servers: €0.54m
- Licences for Servers €0.57m
Buildings
- Longford Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford: €0.26m
- Tallaght Intreo Centre, Social Services Centre, The Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24: €0.2m
- Waterford Intreo Centre/ Regional Headquarters, Government Buildings, Cork Road, Waterford, Co. Waterford: €0.15m
- Letterkenny Intreo Centre & CTBO, St. Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal: €0.15m
- Clifden Intreo Centre, Galway Road, Clifden, Co. Galway: €0.13m
991. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for fuel allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14882/21]
View answerFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their winter heating needs. It is not intended to meet these costs in full. Only one allowance is payable per household.
The main eligibility conditions for receipt of fuel allowance are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a means test and live alone or with other qualifying persons. The threshold for the fuel allowance means test is €100.00 above the maximum weekly rate of state pension (contributory).
The applicant and their spouse can have a combined weekly household income of €100.00 above the maximum rates for State pension (contributory) and Increase for qualified adult and still be eligible for a fuel allowance.
The person concerned applied for this allowance on 25 February 2021. According to the records of my Department, he has an occupational pension in excess of €100 per week, which exceeds the means limit for this allowance. Where applicants exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise and do not qualify, there is no scope for discretion. The application was disallowed and the person concerned was notified in writing on 6 March 2021.
If the person’s circumstances change, it is open to them to reapply for fuel allowance.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
992. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the community employment scheme that are in receipt of a qualifying disability payment or have been classified as having a disability in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14885/21]
View answerIn Budget 2012, it was announced that entitlement to a Community Employment payment and another Department of Social Protection payment at the same time would be phased out. From January 2012, new participants on the Community Employment scheme were no longer able to claim another social welfare payment at the same time. My Department does not retain data on whether a person has a disability and so I am unable to answer this part of the Deputy's question. Information in relation to current Community Employment participants who entered the scheme from Illness and Disability schemes is set out in the table below.
|
From |
Feb-21 |
Dec-20 |
Dec-19 |
Dec-18 |
|
Disability Allowance / Blind Persons Pension |
624 |
623 |
672 |
612 |
|
Illness Benefit |
604 |
612 |
738 |
937 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
71 |
72 |
99 |
111 |
993. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend maternity leave to parents who welcome a child through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14904/21]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection is responsible for the administration of a range of benefits that support parents of new born and young babies. In all circumstances, entitlement to claim benefit follows on from having an entitlement to the corresponding leave and the legislation covering the different forms of leave are the responsibility of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
I am aware that there are cross governmental issues relating to surrogacy that remain to be resolved; these are primarily a matter for the Department of Health and questions in this regard should be addressed to my colleague the Minister for Health.
Any question relating to maternity, paternity or parents leave entitlements should be directed to my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
994. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to parents who welcome a child through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14905/21]
View answerMy Department provides a number of payments for families with children. While such payments aren't specifically targeted at families that welcome a child through surrogacy, such families may be able to avail of these payments.
Child Benefit is available to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children who are in full-time education, or who have a disability, until their 18th birthday.
Families on low incomes may be able to avail of Increases for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments; the Working Family Payment; or the Back to Work Family Dividend. The One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transition Payment are means tested payments available to those parenting alone who have the main care and charge of at least one qualified child.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
995. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to a disability allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14907/21]
View answerThe person concerned was previously in receipt of an Illness Benefit payment. Illness Benefit is paid for a maximum of two years or 624 payable days. This is governed by legislation and cannot be extended.
The person concerned was paid Illness Benefit up to the 20th February 2021, at which point their entitlement to Illness Benefit exhausted as they had received their full 624 days of payment. The person concerned may continue to submit medical certificates for the duration of their illness in order to receive PRSI credited contributions on Illness Benefit.
A letter issued to the person concerned dated the 23rd November 2020 to inform them that their benefit was due to expire and to give them details of other schemes they may want to apply for. To date, no request for an appeal has been received regarding their Illness Benefit claim.
The person concerned submitted an application for Disability Allowance on 4th February 2021. 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 24th February 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. No request for an appeal or review has been received.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
996. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding supports available to visually impaired persons working in the arts and cultural sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14941/21]
View answerIn addition to providing income supports, my Department provides a range of employment-related supports for both jobseekers with disabilities, including people who are blind or have a visual impairment, and to employers seeking to employ a jobseeker with a disability (or retain an existing employee who has or acquires a disability). Supports have been designed to enable persons with a disability to achieve their employment ambitions by focusing on the individual person’s ability and capacity, rather than on the disability. These supports and services have been tailored to the particular needs of a person seeking employment through, for example, the development of personal progression plans designed to assist a jobseeker to achieve their individual employment ambitions.
It is important to note that both Blind Pension (BP) and Disability Allowance (DA) are structured to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their own employment ambitions, be that self-employment or in insurable employment. When an individual engages in work that person may earn up to €120 per week without their BP or DA being affected. In addition, 50% of earnings from €120 to €350 will not be taken into account. Any earnings over €350 are fully assessed in the means test. As part of Budget 2021 measures, from June 2021, the income disregard for Blind Pension and Disability Allowance will increase from €120 to €140 per week.
Employment Supports for Jobseekers with a Disability:
Intreo Service
The Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports in the State. Intreo provides tailored employment services and supports to both jobseekers and employers. Jobseekers, including jobseekers with disabilities, who seek support from their local Intreo Centre work with a case officer with a view to agreeing a suitable personal progression plan in order to access the full range of employment supports available.
Local Employment Service
My Department contracts for the provision of the Local Employment Service (LES) with 22 companies in 26 locations. Providers deliver a case managed employment service for all Jobseekers (including those with disabilities) who avail of the services. Jobseekers work with a LES Mediator to develop a personal progression plan in order to access the full range of employment supports available. Providers also deliver a recruitment and job matching service for employers. LES Mediators may refer clients of the service to an EmployAbility service provider, if it is felt the person would benefit from this more.
EmployAbility Service
My Department recognises the additional difficulties some jobseekers with disabilities may experience in securing and maintaining employment in the open labour market, and so contracts for the provision of services to help address these difficulties. My Department contracts with 24 companies for the delivery of EmployAbility services in 31 locations. Jobseekers are referred to EmployAbility providers by Intreo Centers (or by other contractors as designated, e.g. LES providers). Providers deliver a supported employment model of services for jobseekers with disabilities. Jobseekers work with a job coach who provides both pre-employment and in-employment support and assistance. Providers also deliver a recruitment and job matching service for employers.
AHEAD (Support for Graduates with Disabilities)
The Department contracts AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability) to deliver the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) and ‘Get Ahead’ programmes. These programmes provide supports for graduates with disabilities seeking to enter the workforce.
Ability
The ‘Ability’ programme is co-funded by the Irish Exchequer and the EU's ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme (PEIL, 2014 – 20). Under this programme funding has been provided, through Pobal, for 27 organisations to support young people (aged 15-29) with disabilities in their transition into further education or employment.
Reasonable Accommodation Fund Grants
The Reasonable Accommodation Fund assists both jobseekers with disabilities and employers to enable a person with a disability/impairment to enter/re-enter employment by providing a range of grants. It is important to note that these employment support programmes are demand-led schemes. The fund is comprised of:
Employee Retention Grant
The purpose of the Employee Retention Grant Scheme is to assist employers to retain employees who acquire a disability by providing funding to:
- Identify accommodation and/or training to enable the employee to remain in his/her current position; or
- Re-train the employee so that s/he can take up another position within the company.
Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant
Where a person with a disability has been offered employment or is in employment and requires a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment to do the job, s/he or the employer may be able to get a grant towards the costs of adapting premises or equipment. A maximum grant of €6,350 is available towards the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment. Applications in excess of this sum will be considered on an individual basis up to a maximum of €9,523 if specialist training for assistive technology is required.
Personal Reader Grant
If a person is blind or visually impaired and needs assistance with job-related reading, s/he may be entitled to a grant to allow him/her to employ a Personal Reader. The Department will pay a fee per hour, in line with minimum wage.
Employment Supports for Employers
Wage Subsidy Scheme
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is targeted at private sector employers and is aimed at encouraging the employment of people with disabilities through the provision of financial incentives (a wage subsidy). The subsidy is delivered in three strands:
- Strand I subsidy is a general subsidy for any productivity shortfall in excess of 20% for a person with a disability, in comparison to a colleague without a disability. An employee must work for a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 subsidised hours per week. The rate of subsidy is€5.30 per hour and the amount of the subsidy is based on the number of hours worked.
- Strand II subsidy is payable when an employer employs three or more people with a disability who are supported by a WSS Strand I payment. Strand II is intended to cover the additional supervisory, management and other work-based costs relating to these employees. This top-up payment is a percentage of the Strand I subsidy and is based on the overall number of employees with a disability employed under Strand I. It ranges from an additional 10% of wage subsidy for 3 to 6 employees with a disability to a maximum of 50% of wage subsidy for 23+ employees with a disability.
- Strand III subsidy enables employers who employ 25 or more workers with a disability on the Wage Subsidy Scheme to be eligible for a grant of up to €30,000 per year towards the expense of employing an Employment Assistance Officer to support these employees.
Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme
The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme provides funding so that employers can buy in Disability Awareness Training for their staff. The purpose of the training is to deliver clear and accurate information about disability and to address questions or concerns that employers and employees may have about working with and supporting a colleague with disabilities.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
997. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a contribution towards the cost of a funeral will be reconsidered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14960/21]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) on 28/05/2020 for assistance with the cost of funeral expenses. The application was refused on the basis that her income exceeded the prescribed limit for a person of her circumstances and an exceptional need had not been established. The person concerned was notified of her right seek a review of the decision but a request for a review has not been received to date.
If the circumstances of the person concerned have changed since her last ENP application it is open to her to submit a new application. An application form has been posted to the person concerned and when completed can be returned together with supporting documentation to the Community Welfare Services, Claremont House, Kelly’s Lane, Maynooth, Co Kildare. This service can also be contacted by phone (01) 6016360 or by email cwscelbridgekilcock@welfare.ie. When received, the application will be assessed and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
998. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue for months after mass gatherings are permitted again in order to assist the live events sector scale up its activities and begin to trade again. [14991/21]
View answer1003. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy scheme until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again to adequately support the events industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15133/21]
View answer1021. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the admission of the events industry to supports and schemes (details supplied) until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15395/21]
View answer1027. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the pandemic unemployment payment for the events industry until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15508/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 998, 1003, 1021 and 1027 together.
I am aware of concerns that have been raised regarding the pace of recovery for the live events sector, and that it has been suggested that the level of support be increased and/or that the application of some of the new State supports should be delineated on the basis of explicit sectoral qualification criteria. However, the reality of COVID-19 is that our whole economy and labour market have been rapidly transformed by this unprecedented shock and nearly all sectors have been negatively impacted either directly or indirectly.
The objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support all employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the continued Covid-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment in the midst of these very challenging times. To date, payments of over €2.3 billion and PRSI credit of at least €400 million have been granted to over 48,000 employers in respect of over 541,000 workers.
I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputies will be aware from announcements made on Tuesday 23 February, it has been decided that the scheme is now to be extended until the end of June 2021.
With the agreement by Government on the revised plan, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead, a cautious and measured approach will be taken as we lay the foundations for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy. It is therefore appropriate that key business supports should remain in place until the end of June 2021.
As the revised plan is implemented, the EWSS will play an important role in getting people back to work as public health restrictions are eased, thereby reducing the numbers dependant on social welfare payments over time, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
Consideration is being given to the fact that continued support could be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help maintain viable businesses and employment and to provide businesses with certainty to the maximum extent possible. Decisions on the form of such support will take account of emerging circumstances and economic conditions as they become clearer.
In relation to the tax debt warehousing, I would note that the legislation provides that Period 2 may be extended by Ministerial order but cannot extend beyond 31 December 2022. This is to ensure compliance with EU State Aid rules, provided for under the EU Temporary Framework for State Aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak.
The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with Ministerial colleagues to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects to the maximum extent feasible.
For those businesses who may need additional support during this period, I would draw attention to the comprehensive package of other business and employer supports that have been made available since the July Stimulus Plan and Budget 2021 - including the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS), the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme.
The Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.
999. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost to date of the contract with Turas Nua; when the contract will cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15054/21]
View answerTuras Nua is one of two companies contracted to deliver the JobPath service, as part of the State's Public Employment Service. JobPath provides employment assistance and advice to the long-term unemployed in order to assist them secure full-time paid employment.
JobPath is a payment by results model and all set-up and day-to-day operational costs are borne by the companies. The companies are paid on the basis of performance and with the exception of the initial registration fee; payments are made only when a client has achieved sustained employment. The overall cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of people who participate in the programme and the number who get sustainable jobs. The Department does not publish the individual payments to the JobPath companies as these are commercially sensitive. The total fees paid to the JobPath providers from 2015 to date is €256.9m.
On 22 October 2020, I announced the extension of referrals to the JobPath service for a further twelve months until the end of 2021. At that time I also announced similar commitments to the Local Employment Services, Job Clubs and EmployAbility to ensure their services extended into 2021. These measures were taken in order to expand the capacity of my Department's Public Employment Service to ensure that we are in a position to support all those who have lost their employment arising from the economic impacts of Covid-19. In light of these circumstances, it was deemed prudent to not only retain, but to expand, the existing capacity of our public employment services.
My Department is continuing to examine procurement options for the provision all contracted public employment services in 2022.
I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1000. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that parents of babies born through surrogacy are excluded from any type of paid parental leave such as maternity benefit or parent’s leave and benefit; if legislation will be amended to allow for these supports to be extended to parents who have children through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15057/21]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the administration of a range of benefits that support parents of new born and young babies. In all circumstances, entitlement to claim benefit follows on from having an entitlement to the corresponding leave and the legislation covering the different forms of leave are the responsibility of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Any question relating to leave entitlement should be directed to that Department.
However, I can confirm that all parents, including those whose babies have been born through surrogacy, have access to parents benefit and paternity benefit; subject to the grant of the corresponding leave by their employers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1001. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending carer’s leave to support carers who left work to care for a loved one given the added difficulties (details supplied) due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15058/21]
View answerThe Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy responsibility for leave from employment including carer's leave, maternity leave, parental leave and force majeure leave. The issue of extending carer’s leave is a matter for that Department.
My Department provides a range of supports to those who are caring for family members, friends or neighbours. These measures aim to recognise the needs of carers through the provision of appropriate income supports, to enable carers to remain in touch with the labour market to the greatest extent possible and to empower carers to participate fully in economic and social life.
These income supports include the following:
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer’s Benefit
- Carer’s Support Grant
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
Carer's leave from employment is unpaid but the Carer's Leave Act ensures that people who need to avail of carer's leave will have their jobs kept open for them while they are on carer's leave. They may be eligible for Carer's Benefit if they have the required number of PRSI contributions or they may qualify for Carer's Allowance, which is means-tested, while they are on carer's leave.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1002. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by her Department and agencies and semi-State companies under her remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles, that is internal combustion engine vehicles, and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15127/21]
View answerMy Department owns two vehicles: a diesel engine van and a petrol engine motorcycle.
The Citizens Information Board owns a diesel engine van.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
