Colm Burke
Question:642. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to entitling qualified civil celebrants to solemnise weddings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21362/21]
View answerCivil Marriages
Questions (642, 643)
Colm Burke
Question:643. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if those qualified as civil celebrants will be entitled to solemnise weddings in view of the fact that many marriage registrars are only available Monday to Friday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21363/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 643 together.
A person must be a registered Solemniser in order that they can solemnise a legally valid marriage in Ireland. To become a registered Solemniser a person must have an application made on their behalf, by an authorised body, to have that person added to the Register of Solemnisers. Section 45 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 defines the bodies that are permitted to apply to have persons added to the Register of Solemnisers.
This section was amended by section 2 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2012 (CRAA 2012), to allow a secular body to make such an application. The full list of bodies that are permitted to make an application are: the Health Service Executive, a religious body, or a secular body. There are no plans at present to extend the Register of Solemnisers to include persons who are not a member of the aforementioned bodies.
Pensions Reform
Questions (644, 645)
Gerald Nash
Question:644. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a 2014 OECD report (details supplied); her further views on its finding that current pension fee caps are substantially above the charge levels observed in the best performing countries such as Denmark or Sweden in which total management fees are below 0.5% of assets under management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21373/21]
View answerGerald Nash
Question:645. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a 2012 pension report by her Department (details supplied); the steps she has taken and plans to take to address these findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21374/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together.
The OECD Review of Pensions Systems: Ireland Report (2014) was commissioned following a request by the then Minister for Social Protection in response to the Pension Charges in Ireland Report (2012).
The 2014 report references the Pension Charges in Ireland Report (2012), and confirms its conclusions that whilst the Irish pension industry charges are not excessive compared to other countries’ benchmarks for large DC occupational schemes, they are relatively expensive for small occupational schemes and personal pension schemes.
In this regard, there are a number of measures that the Department, and successive Ministers, have advanced since these reports were produced. These are in addition to significant developments at European level. The combination will, over time, have an impact on improving governance, rationalising the pensions market and facilitating economies of scale, resulting in better outcomes for consumers, including in the area of pension scheme charges and transparency.
On foot of the 2012 report, the Central Bank carried out a number of themed reviews aimed at ensuring implementation of the requirements of the Consumer Protection Code. This included a review of annual pension statements to confirm that information on charges is being provided in a way that seeks to inform the customer.
The Pensions Authority updated its trustee training material and information on its website on pension charges for scheme trustees and consumers. The Authority also released a revised edition of the Trustee Handbook which includes dedicated information on fees and charges and trustee obligations in this regard.
In 2016, the Pensions Council published its report on Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) Charges and in 2017 published reports on Buy-Out-Bond (BOB) Charges and a further report on both ARF and BOB charges. The Council's work has informed the Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023, the development of the Automatic Enrolment Programme and the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Group (IDPRTG).
At my request, the Pensions Council is currently considering the merits of introducing an initiative similar to the Cost Transparency Initiative in the UK for pension providers in Ireland and has been asked to consider whether such an approach is effective on a voluntary basis, as in the UK, or operates better on a mandatory basis, such as in Denmark and in the Netherlands.
The Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 - 2023 highlights the very large number of private pension schemes in Ireland and how this is a contributing factor in the level of professional fees charged to these schemes both for administration and investment advice. It sets out a phased approach to reforming the pensions market, especially with respect to the rationalisation of pension schemes which it is anticipated will contribute considerably to lower pension costs and charges in the future. For example, there are approximately 160,000 schemes on the Pension Authority’s Register including occupational schemes, AVC schemes, Trust RACs and Death Benefit Only schemes. The consolidation of small DC schemes and single member schemes into larger schemes (including into master trusts) will be a key driver of change with regards to scheme governance and achieving economies of scale in the Irish pensions market. It should also result in considerably reduced administrative costs for such schemes.
The Pension Charges in Ireland Report (2012) stated that "the proposed introduction of an auto-enrolment pension scheme for all employees may be the most effective way to introduce change and could have a major impact in reducing charges, particularly for those people with small pension funds and reduced pension expectations. International experience has shown that this type of scheme is extremely successful in providing a simplified and lower cost charging structure and a consistent application across employers."
In line with the Roadmap for Pension Reform 2018 – 2023, the Government has committed to develop and introduce an ‘Automatic Enrolment’ (AE) supplementary retirement savings system. My Department is currently working on design proposals for such a system. The Programme for Government further commits that there will be a charges cap imposed on AE providers.
I recently signed the Regulations to transpose the IORPS II Directive into Irish law. Alongside the many reforms introduced by the Directive in the area of pension scheme governance, the Directive also provides for additional disclosure requirements in respect of fees and charges. Pension Schemes are now required to draw up a clear and comprehensive Pension Benefit Statement for members containing “a breakdown of the costs deducted by the scheme or trust RAC at least over the last 12 months” and “written in a clear manner, using clear, succinct and comprehensible language, avoiding the use of jargon and avoiding technical terms where everyday words can be used instead.”
The Interdepartmental Pensions Reform & Taxation Group (IDPRTG) published its Report on Supplementary Pensions in November 2020. The report presented a number of recommendations to help advance the goal of simplifying and harmonising the supplementary pension landscape which will reduce complexity, enhance market competitiveness, drive product efficiencies and in turn lead to better retirement outcomes for pension savers. An implementation group is actively working on the IDPRTG Report’s recommendations.
It is acknowledged that improving the transparency of pension costs, rationalising the pensions market and improving scheme governance will drive price competition and lead to better outcomes for consumers. My Department continues to progress several key initiatives which will help to achieve this.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (646)
Emer Higgins
Question:646. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the support and incentives available to part-time employees currently receiving the pandemic unemployment payment who are transitioning back into the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21444/21]
View answerWritten answers
The onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic and resulting public health measures, has greatly impacted economic activity in the State and the labour market. The latest CSO data for March 2021, recorded a COVID-19 adjusted overall unemployment rate of 24.2 percent, with an equivalent measure for youth at 59.2 percent.
Research conducted by my Department last year suggests that part-time workers may have been particularly impacted in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, given their tendency to work in some of the sectors most severely impacted by the pandemic; namely accommodation and food, and retail.
While many have been displaced from their employment by the pandemic, most of those currently in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will return to employment as restrictions ease and the economy re-opens. However, it is inevitable that some jobs will be permanently lost, and additional numbers of persons will require State support to find new jobs transitioning back to work.
I am acutely aware that when people lose their jobs and remain unemployed for some time they can become disconnected from the labour market. These individuals risk losing the vital social and work connections that are needed to identify and pursue work opportunities and for many it may be the case that their existing work experience and skills cannot easily translate into new sectors of employment. This can particularly be the case for part-time employees.
Therefore, my Department is supporting initiatives to assist people, including part-time workers, get back to work, once COVID-19 restrictions and their impact on the economy and labour market begin to ease.
Under the July Jobs Stimulus, my Department, along with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, are putting in place the following measures:
- Expanding the benefit of the JobsPlus recruitment subsidy to employers who hire young people. Under this scheme an employer receives the JobsPlus subsidy of €7,500 once they employ a young person (under 30 years of age) who has been unemployed for just 4 months. A higher subsidy of €10,000 is paid for recruitment of a person who was long term unemployed (over 12 months). Time spent in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment can be counted for the purposes of eligibility for all unemployed individuals.
- nFacilitating access to the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) to those displaced by the pandemic and in receipt of PUP, by waiving the usual qualifying period of 3-9 months.
- Providing access to additional full-time and part-time education, including targeted short-term courses, with over 35,000 new education and training places for those currently unemployed.
- Providing incentives to employers to take on more apprentices, with the provision of a grant of €3,000 to employers for each new apprentice recruited.
- Increasing the funding available to all PUP recipients through the Training Support Grant from €500 to €1,000. The grant is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider.
My Department is at an advanced stage in developing a new Work Placement Experience Programme for those out of work for at least six months, regardless of age. This programme will seek to encourage businesses to provide jobseekers, including part-time workers, with the necessary workplace skills to compete in the labour market and to help break the vicious circle of “no job without experience, no experience without a job”. I expect to launch the Programme as soon as public health restrictions allow in 2021.
Those in self-employment, looking to reopen their business, may have other income support options available to them from my Department depending on their circumstances. A self-employed person can retain their PUP where their income from self-employment does not exceed €960 over a rolling 8-week period and they continue to meet the scheme conditions.
Where a person exceeds this threshold and is engaging in regular limited self-employment, access to the Part-Time Job Incentive (PTJI) has been extended to those who transition from the PUP. Under this scheme, a self-employed recipient can engage in self-employment for up to 24 hours per week and retain a personal weekly rate of payment of €128.60. A self-employed jobseeker with a qualified adult can be paid €209.70 per week. Moreover, there is no earnings limit to receive the payment.
These efforts designed to support those displaced by COVID-19, including part-time workers, will be further bolstered by Pathways to Work 2021-2025, which is currently being finalised by my Department. Pathways to Work is the Government’s national employment services strategy. It will set out how an expanded Public Employment Service will utilise its existing and expanded capacity to deliver effective services in a post-COVID labour market. Publication is expected in the coming months, following the launch of the Government's Economic Recovery Plan.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (647)
Thomas Gould
Question:647. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make contact with a centre (details supplied) whose maintenance worker is due to conclude their community employment scheme in coming months and are eager to retain this particular worker but do not have funding and assist them in sourcing funding to retain this person.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21473/21]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that officials from the Department of Social Protection are in contact with the local Community Employment Scheme.
While the current participant referred to by the Deputy is due to conclude his Community Employment, the post of maintenance work will continue to be funded and the Scheme can recruit a new participant to fill the role once it is vacant, this process is currently underway.
While the Department of Social Protection funds Community Employment, the Scheme will need to contact other relevant Departments and public bodies in relation to the potential for other sources of funding.
Family Resource Centres
Questions (648)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:648. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the family resource centres in County Mayo which receive funding from agencies under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21507/21]
View answerWritten answers
My officials have been in contact with the Deputy's office to explain that this is not a matter for the Department of Social Protection and is proper to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (649)
Robert Troy
Question:649. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently review the possibility of providing set 12 month extensions to the contracts of community employment and Tús workers whose contracts have or are due to expire in the coming months; her views on whether such participants should be given the opportunity to complete their course and training; and her further views on whether the current umbrella extension until June 2021 will result in mass numbers of vacancies arising on schemes which will be all but impossible to fill. [21549/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Tús is a community employment support initiative that provides short-term work opportunities for those who have been unemployed for more than a year, in community-based work placements.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has continued to provide funding and support for CE and Tús schemes since the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March 2020. During each period of Level-5 restrictions, CE and Tús participants, whose contracts were due to end during these restrictions, have had their contracts extended for the duration of the restrictions. In early March 2021, Minister Humphreys and I announced funding for a further CE and Tús contract extension for participants, up until 2nd July 2021. Over 7,000 CE and Tús participants will benefit from the current contract extension which applies to all participants whose contracts were due to finish since end-October 2020.
I note the concern raised that a significant number of additional vacancies could arise after the latest contract extension date expires. It is important to note that exits from CE and Tús schemes after this date will be organised in partnership with the scheme sponsors and on a coordinated, phased basis over a number of months. This will support the ongoing delivery of important services in the community while facilitating the referral and recruitment of replacement long term unemployed candidates for the schemes. It should be noted that referrals to CE and Tús have continued throughout the ongoing level 5 restrictions where it has been safe and appropriate to do so. Referrals will start to increase once current Level 5 restrictions begin to ease to ensure opportunities are available for the new cohort of long term unemployed.
Training is an important component of CE and some CE participant training has continued online throughout the Level-5 restrictions. The latest contract extensions will provide many CE participants with additional time in which to complete their training. Where a CE participant finishes up on their scheme without completing the training outlined in their Individual Learning Plan 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 and the Back to Education Allowance. Department case officers will engage with former CE participants to discuss the available options.
One of the measures introduced in the Government’s July, 2020 Jobs Stimulus package was to increase the capacity of the Public Employment Services. Additional resources have since been introduced and will be central to meeting the increased demand for services, including recruitment to existing employment support schemes once normal operations have resumed.
It is therefore not proposed to further-extend all CE and Tús participant contracts by 12 months at this time. However, contract extension dates will continue to be monitored in line with Government public health restrictions in place over the coming months.
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 and Tús participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
Jobseeker's Payments
Questions (650)
Bríd Smith
Question:650. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the conditions under which a person receiving a jobseeker’s payment can be referred to a JobPath provider; if they must be deemed to be long-term unemployed; the definition used for long-term unemployed; if a person in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit can be referred to a JobPath provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21565/21]
View answerWritten answers
All jobseekers, including those who are working part time and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment from my Department, are required to be genuinely seeking and available for full time employment and to engage with my Department's employment services.
JobPath is an employment assistance and advice service that supports and assists people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part time, to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. All jobseekers over one year on the Live Register are eligible for selection to one of the contracted public employment services, including the JobPath employment service. Selection for referral to the JobPath employment service is by means of random selection.
Long-term jobseekers that may have left the Live Register for employment, which lasts less than a year, are considered to have a linked claim if they reopen their jobseeker's claim and are considered long-term unemployed. They may retain certain entitlements (for example no waiting days and other additional benefits such as Fuel Allowance) and are available for selection for referral to contracted public employment service providers.
Customers who have not been in full-time employment but are returning to a jobseeker’s payment from departmental employment schemes, for example community employment and TÚS, are also eligible for selection for JobPath. This includes customers who are in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit.
Customers who are working part-time and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment, including Jobseeker's Benefit, may be selected for JobPath if the duration of that payment is over 365 days. Jobseekers referred to JobPath who are also working part-time will have all activities including meetings with their personal advisor scheduled around their work commitments and the service will be delivered in a flexible manner in that respect.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (651)
Bríd Smith
Question:651. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria used to determine if a recently unemployed person can avail of the various back to education schemes and retain their jobseeker’s payments; if a person recently made redundant can avail of these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21566/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. My Department has a provision of €96.5m in supports under the BTEA for 2021.
A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the BTEA scheme has to satisfy a number of conditions, including being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education.
The qualifying period for the second-level option is three months while the qualifying period for third-level courses is nine months prior to the date of commencement of the course. This qualifying period has been waived for people coming from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. A person awarded statutory redundancy may access BTEA immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established.
Any person planning to undertake an education course should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess the options available to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Rent Supplement Scheme
Questions (652)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:652. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of rent supplement payments currently being paid. [21572/21]
View answerWritten answers
Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting 19,761 active recipients.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Fuel Allowance
Questions (653, 657, 658)
Claire Kerrane
Question:653. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she considered an extension to the fuel allowance season; if so, the reason it was decided not to extend the allowance as occurred in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21614/21]
View answer
Joe Carey
Question:657. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the fuel allowance payment for a further four weeks as occurred in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21780/21]
View answer
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:658. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the promised extension of the fuel allowance in 2021 given it ceased on 9 April 2021 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21781/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 653, 657 and 658 together.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to over 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The Fuel Allowance is an important measure that assists pensioners and other welfare dependent householders to address income deficiency, especially during the winter when a household faces increased heating needs. The duration of the scheme is designed to coincide with the coldest periods of the year and it is for this reason the scheme runs from October to mid-April.
In order to support vulnerable households during the initial COVID-19 emergency, financial resources at that time allowed for the 2019/20 fuel season to be extended by four weeks for existing eligible customers on a once-off basis. While I fully understand that these are difficult times for many people, especially for the vulnerable and the elderly, any further economic measures, such as extending the 2020/21 fuel allowance season, can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources. In this regard, the Deputy will appreciate the scale of support provided throughout the pandemic with over €7.3 Billion spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment alone to date and over 22 million individual payments issued under the scheme.
In Budget 2021, the Government targeted one third of carbon tax revenues to go towards boosting the incomes of the poorest in our society. Based on ESRI research, three key DSP payments were targeted for increases in the budget as a result - the Fuel Allowance, the Qualified Child Allowance and the Living Alone Allowance. Accordingly, with effect from January 2021, I increased the Fuel Allowance by €3.50 per week to €28 for a period of 28 weeks, while the increase in carbon tax on solid fuels will not take effect until May 2021. This ensured that recipients benefitted from the increased payment over the winter period.
In the context of the COVID-19 emergency, the Government has already allocated c. €11.5 billion in a package of social protection measures to assist people impacted by COVID-19. This demonstrates the Government’s absolute commitment to provide effective targeted supports during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Finally, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (654)
Dara Calleary
Question:654. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis for the denial of the pandemic unemployment payment to those over 66 years of age that are self-employed and have lost their income as a consequence of Covid-19; the supports that may be available for those persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21686/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme payable to employees and self- employed persons who are aged between 18 and 66 years (pension age) who have lost employment as a result of Covid-19 and satisfy the scheme’s qualifying conditions.
The age range for entitlement to PUP is consistent with other social protection unemployment payments which are payable to people between the ages of 18 to 66.
People aged 66 years and over are provided for through the social insurance based State Pension (contributory) or the means-tested State Pension (non-contributory).
Where an individual does not have the required number of contributions to receive the maximum rate of State Pension (contributory), they may qualify for an increased rate of State pension (non-contributory), depending on their circumstances. Recipients of the non-contributory pension who also have employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose their employment income due to the pandemic or if their employment income is reduced.
People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to ancillary supports which include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package for gas or electricity costs and living alone allowance.
A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments.
My colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has provided for a range of supports for businesses to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance
Questions (655)
Willie O'Dea
Question:655. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was only granted a reduced carer’s allowance on means grounds as a result of a court settlement payment to their spouse; if consideration will be given to changing the way means from capital are calculated in view of the move towards negative interest rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21687/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department operates a range of means-tested social assistance payments. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse / partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
Social welfare legislation provides for the disregard of certain compensation awards when assessing the means of a person. These disregards include, for example, all income derived from payments awarded by the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and payments made in relation to disability caused by Thalidomide.
All compensation or court awards which are not specifically provided for in social welfare legislation are assessed in the normal manner. However, most social assistance schemes, such as Carer's Allowance, have a capital disregard of €20,000, with the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 assessed at €2 per thousand, and the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand. In the case of Disability Allowance, the first €50,000 of capital is disregarded.
The capital assessment formula is not designed to reflect interest or annuity rates available to investors and no account is taken of interest or dividend payments received in the means assessment.
Any changes to the means assessment of social assistance schemes would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. I do appreciate the difficulties arising in cases of the type raised by the Deputy, and I have asked my officials to consider the potential for addressing the issue in the context of Budget 2022.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (656)
Robert Troy
Question:656. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address an issue in relation to persons who may have applied for a pandemic unemployment payment with the incorrect PPS number are now experiencing difficulty in terms of receiving a payment to the correct PPS number and are also facing emergency tax from the Revenue Commissioners (details supplied). [21713/21]
View answerWritten answers
When applying for social welfare benefits, it is important that an individual uses the correct Personal Public Service (PPS) number. Instances have arisen where a person has inadvertently applied for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment using an incorrect PPS number, for example the PPS number of their spouse or partner. Where this has occurred, the person should immediately close the incorrect claim, and then reapply using the correct PPS number. The Revenue Commissioners will then receive an automatic update on the status of both claims i.e. that one has been closed and another has been opened. My Department is also liaising with the Revenue Commissioners to address the issue of historic payments and to ensure that these are recorded against the correct PPS number.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 657 and 658 answered with Question No. 653.
JobPath Programme
Questions (659)
Paul Murphy
Question:659. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if JobPath has been closed down in accordance with the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 6 February 2019; if contracts to administer JobPath made by her Department or any other Department with Turas Nua or Seetec have either been suspended or cancelled; if in the current context of mass unemployment neither Turas Nua nor Seetec have been making contact with any claimant and person who is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit, the pandemic unemployment payment or any other State welfare payment be that a pre-level 5 claimant or a person who has made a claim since 28 December 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21882/21]
View answerWritten answers
As per Government policy, my Department is responsible as the State's Public Employment Service for providing employment assistance and advice services to all jobseekers and members of the public who require these services. Contracted providers such as the Local Employment Services and JobPath provide my Department with the capacity to support the long term unemployed with the provision of 52 weeks of employment services support.
Given the scale of the challenge facing the Public Employment Service, my Department, in line with the commitments contained in the July Jobs Stimulus package, is moving to expand the capacity of the Public Employment Service, including that provided by contracted providers. No contracts held by my Department with any contracted public employment service provider, including either of the JobPath providers, has been suspended or cancelled. I am not in position to advise the Deputy of any contractual arrangements that there may be pertaining to other Departments at this time.
Referrals to all of my Department's employment services, both internal and external (including JobPath and Local Employment Services) were temporarily suspended on three occasions since March 2020. Referrals recently recommenced to all employment service providers, including my Department’s Intreo service on 8th March 2021. Referrals to the Department's employment services are engaged with in accordance with the public health guidelines and dealt with on a remote basis. Contracted services will where appropriate facilitate face to face meetings in line with HSE Covid-19 guidelines should any client require it.
My Department's contracted public employment services providers support both the long term unemployed who are in receipt of a jobseeker's payment and those who found but then subsequently lost their employment to complete the balance of their original 52 week employment service engagement period.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Labour Activation Measures
Questions (660)
Paul Murphy
Question:660. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans or those of her Department with regard to so-called activation measures such as JobPath (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21883/21]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the July jobs stimulus, the Government committed to increase the capacity of all elements of the Public Employment Service. My Department now intends to shortly issue a Request for Tender (RFT) to expand local employment type services into some geographical areas where a Local Employment Service does not currently exist. My Department is preparing to ensure that the Public Employment Service has sufficient capacity in 2022 to support all those who need our assistance and help in securing new employment.
Separately under the July jobs stimulus, my Department, in cooperation with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, is putting in place a number of measures.
We are increasing the value of the JobsPlus recruitment subsidy for employers who hire young people and the Government is enhancing access to education and training with an additional 35,000 new education and training places for the unemployed.
Additional incentives are being provided to employers to take on more apprentices, with the provision of a grant of €3,000 to employers for each new apprentice recruited. My Department is also facilitating access to the Back to Education Allowance and Back to Work Enterprise Allowance to those displaced by the pandemic and in receipt of PUP, by waiving the usual qualifying period of 3-9 months.
These and other efforts will be bolstered by the Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy, currently being finalised by my Department. This whole-of-Government strategy will seek to build upon those support measures outlined above as we assist people on their journey to work.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.