Thursday, 24 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 325-339

Childcare Services

Questions (325)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

325. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to parents who have a baby via surrogacy. [34079/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My 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. 

Departmental Staff

Questions (326)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

326. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of departmental staff who are working remotely. [34081/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The number of Department staff who are working remotely at any one time is approximately 50% (ca. 3,300 headcount). This number has remained relatively constant throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Questions (327)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

327. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the changes in structure to MABS through the recent regionalisation of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34082/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of my Department, is the State’s money advice service and provides assistance to people, in particular those on low income or dependent on social welfare supports, who are over-indebted. As part of its free services, MABS also provides support to those in mortgage arrears and is an administrator of Abhaile - the national State funded Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service.

In February 2017, following extensive analysis and engagement with all stakeholders, CIB, in consultation with my Department, commenced a restructuring of governance arrangements of the then existing network of 51 local MABS companies into eight regional MABS companies. The aim of this restructuring was to enhance the services offered by MABS (and other CIB service delivery companies), to improve governance arrangements and to ensure a modern and streamlined citizen-focused service delivery model. This restructuring was completed in October 2018. 

To support the governance restructuring, Regional Managers were appointed to each of the eight regional companies. Each company is overseen by a voluntary Board, which ensures that the provision of, and access to, MABS services are fair and consistent across the region. Significantly, under the revised structure, companies have the flexibility to allocate resources appropriately in response to emerging customer needs. In addition, clients in a region have access to all MABS services of the region and can contact any money advisor in that region about their case by phone, email, online chat or video conferencing. This governance restructuring saw no job losses, closure of service delivery or diminution in MABS services, and has allowed for a quick coordinated responses to emerging issues.

Pension Provisions

Questions (328)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

328. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that have been taken to date to examine options for a pension solution for carers as committed to in the programme for Government. [34083/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment to examine options for a pension solution for carers, the majority of whom are women, particularly those of incapacitated children.  This Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role.

As the Deputy is aware, the Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment.  As part of its Terms of Reference, the Commission has been asked to consider how the State pension system can further accommodate long-term carers.  These issues will be considered from a perspective of fiscal and social sustainability, and intergenerational fairness.  Details on the Commission's work, including agendas, minutes and presentations made to the Commission, are available on its website, PensionsCommission.gov.ie. 

The Commission is due to provide its report to Government in the near future.

The State pension system currently gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role, through the award of credits and/or the application of the Homemaker’s Scheme (under the Yearly Average method for payment calculation) and/or the application of HomeCaring Periods (under the Aggregated Contribution Method or Interim Total Contributions Approach).  Details of these are -

- Credits – PRSI Credits are awarded to recipients of Carer’s Allowance (and Carer’s Benefit) where they have an underlying entitlement to credits.  Credits are also awarded to workers who take unpaid Carer’s Leave from work.

- Homemaker’s Scheme - The scheme, which was introduced with effect from 1994, is designed to help homemakers and carers qualify for State Pension (Contributory).  The Scheme, which allows periods caring for children or people with a caring need to be disregarded (from 1994), can have the effect of increasing the Yearly Average.

- HomeCaring Periods – This Scheme makes it easier for a home carer to qualify for a higher rate of State Pension (Contributory).  HomeCaring Periods can only be used under the Aggregated Contribution Method (also known as Interim TCA or T12) of pension calculation.  HomeCaring Periods may be awarded for each week not already covered by a paid or credited social insurance contribution.  A maximum of 20 years HomeCaring periods can be used as part of the Aggregated Contribution Method calculation.

Since April 2019 all new State (Contributory) Pension applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and Aggregated Contribution Method, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner.  The elements which make up each method are set out in legislation. 

It should be noted that if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for State Pension (Contributory), s/he may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% that of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory).  Alternatively, if his/her spouse is a State pensioner with significant household means, his/her most beneficial payment may be an Increase for a Qualified Adult, based on his/her personal means, and amounting to up to 90% of a full contributory pension. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (329)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

329. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when the report into the poverty impact assessment of reduced rates of jobseeker’s payments for those aged 18 to 25 as committed to in the Social Welfare Act 2019 will be published. [34085/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department has completed a Poverty Impact Assessment on the reduced rates of jobseekers for young people, which I am currently considering.

I am acutely aware that young people are often among the first to lose their job at times of difficulty. The “last-in/first-out” principle applies.  During the Covid-19 pandemic this was exacerbated by the fact that the sectors that traditionally employ young people, retail and hospitality, are among the hardest hit.  The Government recognised this and ensured that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was made available to young people, including students who would not normally receive an unemployment payment.

One of our key priorities as restrictions are gradually lifted is to focus on getting young people back to work and assisting those young jobseekers who are looking to obtain their first job.

The recently announced Economic Recovery Plan has a clear target for employment to exceed pre-pandemic levels of 2.5 million people at work by 2024.   Jobs and employment recovery is a key focus of the Plan, which commits to supporting people to secure and remain in sustainable and quality employment.

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.

In addition, a new Pathways to Work Strategy will shortly be launched and will set out how an expanded Public Employment Service will deliver effective services in a post-COVID labour market.  This whole-of-Government strategy will seek to build upon existing support measures, with a particular focus on young jobseekers.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (330)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

330. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when she plans to introduce the cost of a disability payment as committed to in the programme for Government. [34086/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability. In line with the actual commitment contained in the Programme for Government, the  Government will use the research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to properly inform the direction of future policy.

Specifically, the research was expected to consider whether objectives can be met through financial support, for instance as a supplement to the current income support system, through service provision or through other supports. This matter is considerably wider than the income support system and will not be addressed through income support alone which is why a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken. Due consideration will have to be given to the findings of the report from all the relevant Government departments who have a role to play in the delivery of disability services and

supports and not just my Department.

In Budget 2021, I introduced a number of measures to support people with disabilities, this included an increase of €20 in the earnings disregard for recipients of Disability Allowance, which came into effect in June. This will affect 15,000 recipients and cost €2.9m in 2021. Other measures include a €1,000 Training Grant to help people with disabilities who are seeking employment, and an increase of €150 to the Carer’s Support Grant. The new Grant rate of €1,850 is the highest rate ever and was paid in early June.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (331)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

331. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of persons with a disability in receipt of the wage subsidy scheme and the ability programme. [34087/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) is an employment support to private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 subsidised hours per week under a contract of employment. The basic rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour giving a total annual subsidy available of €10,748 per annum based on a 39 hour week. The subsidy is paid to the employer.  

The WSS is a demand-led scheme and there are currently 1,597 private sector employers availing of the subsidy in respect of 2,535 participant employees. 

The Ability Programme was introduced in June 2018 and is a pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities. The funding for this programme will amount to around €16 million over a three year period and is being co-funded by the EU and the Irish Exchequer under the EU's ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) Operational Programme 2014-2020. In total, the programme is supporting over 2,600 young people with disabilities aged between 15 and 29 years of age. Pobal has been contracted by the Department to manage the programme. The programme has been extended by two months and will now conclude at the end of August.

The aim of the Ability Programme is to help bring young people with disabilities who are not work-ready closer to the labour market through engagement in training and personal development activities, which would be followed by an incremental exposure to work. The programme is being delivered by 27 community and voluntary groups from around the country, selected on foot of a competitive process.  The projects being funded have been designed to assist young people in their transition from school to further education and employment. There are currently 1,175 active participants on the Ability Programme.

I trust the above clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (332)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

332. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to review the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34088/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The back to education allowance (BTEA) is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study, while still maintaining their income support, subject to satisfying a number of conditions. 

The Programme for Government commits to a review the Back to Education Allowance, to ensure that

it can help those unemployed as a result of COVID-19 to access education and training. In response to this, and as part of the July Stimulus, the condition on the qualification period of up to nine months was waived for recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment wishing to return to education.  Someone in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment is required to transfer their claim to a jobseekers payment to access the BTEA and can do so without any qualification period.

There has been are approximately 6,400 students supported through the BTEA for the 2020/2021 academic year.  Government has provided €96.5 million for BTEA in 2021.  This represents a considerable investment in supporting unemployed individuals to access education.

 I trust this clarifies the matter. 

State Pensions

Questions (333)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

333. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of plans to introduce auto-enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34089/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Programme for Government commits to introducing a pension auto-enrolment system. The objective of this commitment is to address the low proportion of employees in Ireland with supplementary pension cover, which includes both occupational and personal pensions.

The rate of supplementary pension coverage in Ireland is around 55% of the working population (CSO, Pension Coverage Survey 2020) and it is estimated that this reduces to less than 35% when the private sector is considered in isolation.  Many of these people will become reliant on the State pension for all or most of their income in retirement and accordingly, may face a significant unwanted drop in income.

Implementation of an Automatic Enrolment (AE) system will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary system to one where employees, subject to certain parameters, will be automatically enrolled into a quality assured retirement savings system.  This Government, recognising the exceptional strain that both employers and employees are now under as a result of the Covid-19 emergency, will seek to gradually deliver an AE system, based on the following principles:

- There will be a phased roll-out, over a decade, of the contribution made by workers.

- Matching contributions will be made by both workers and employers and the State will top up contributions.

- There will be an opt-out provision for those who choose to opt out.

- Workers will have a range of retirement savings products to choose from.

- There will be a charges cap imposed on pension providers.

My officials continue to work on the design of the AE system.  There are five main areas where work is ongoing so as to produce design options. These areas relate to:

- the scope and role of a Central Processing Authority for the system;

- the nature and functions of Registered Providers of savings products;

- the investment framework and funds to be offered by Registered Providers, including the design of the default fund and the pay-out phase;

- the design of the State financial incentive; and

- the phasing of implementation.

The development of these policy proposals is at an advanced stage and, as set out in the recently published Economic Recovery Plan 2021, the overall design of the system will be decided later this year. Thereafter, the necessary legislative, organisational and process structures will follow through over the course of 2022 and 2023.

In progressing this work, the Department is receiving technical support from the European Commission’s DG Reform which assists EU member states implementing administrative and institutional reforms.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (334)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

334. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of work to allow those without a full PRSI contribution record to continue to make contributions beyond pensionable age. [34090/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Calculation of a person’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) is based on their social insurance record from their date of entry into insurable employment until pension age, currently 66 years.  Any employment after a person’s 66th birthday is not reckonable for pension purposes nor is the employment liable to any PRSI contributions.  Continued employment beyond pension age does not affect a person’s eligibility for State pension (contributory).

From April 2019, all new State pension contributory applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner. 

As the Deputy is aware, a Commission on Pensions has been established to examine a range of issues with respect to the State Pension and options for the Government to consider and I assume that this is the work to which the Deputy refers. 

The Pensions Commission was established to examine sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment.  Details of the Commission’s work, such as minutes and agendas, are available on its website, pensionscommission.gov.ie.  I expect that, in accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Commission will be submitting its report on its work to me in the near future.  The Government intends to take action having regard to the recommendations of the Commission within 6 months of receipt of the report.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (335)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

335. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if participants on the short-term enterprise allowance require the support of the local development company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34091/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection operates two schemes to assist people on certain social protection payments who wish to become self-employed; namely the Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) and the two-year payment of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA). There are currently over 2,550 in receipt of these supports, of which the vast majority (some 2,400) are in receipt of BTWEA.  

The STEA, currently paid to 150 recipients, provides immediate access to support jobseekers who qualify for Jobseekers Benefit to set up a new business.  Payment under the scheme is at the same rate and for the same duration as the entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit exists, which is between 6 and 9 months.

All new STEA applicants are informed of the services of their Local Development Company (LDC) and engagement is advisable. However as the STEA is payable for the duration of the applicants time-limited Jobseekers Benefit claim, it can be important to facilitate the earliest possible commencement of self-employment. Where a business proposal is sufficiently prepared, an applicant may be approved for the scheme without referral to a LDC. Where this occurs the applicant will continue to be informed of the valuable resources available through their LDC.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (336)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

336. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times the Child Maintenance Review Group has met since it was established; the date for the report to be furnished to her; and if she plans to publish the report thereafter. [34092/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Government established a Child Maintenance Review Group to examine certain issues in relation to child maintenance in Ireland.  The Group is chaired by former Circuit Court Judge Catherine Murphy and includes legal, policy and academic professionals as well as officials from my Department and the Department of Justice.

The Group's Terms of Reference are to consider and make recommendations on: (i) the current treatment of child maintenance payments in my Department; (ii) the current provisions regarding liable relatives managed by my Department; and (iii) the establishment of a Child Maintenance Agency in Ireland.

The work of the Group is well underway.  To date the Group has held eight meetings and there are a number of other meetings scheduled on a regular basis over the coming months.

A consultation process to facilitate feedback from stakeholder groups and members of the public in order to inform the Group's work has been completed.

The Group's report is expected later this year.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (337)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

337. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made for the Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit since it was introduced; the corresponding number approved and rejected; the current average processing time; the number of persons who qualified that moved onto illness benefit therefore requiring the support for longer than ten weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34093/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

As of 21st June 2021, the Department  has received 146,581 Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit claims with 141,635 customers paid to date. The current processing time for illness benefit claims indicates that 80% of claims are awarded and going into payment within 7 days.  It is not possible to report on the numbers of customers who qualified for Enhanced Illness Benefit and who subsequently transitioned onto standard Illness Benefit.  

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.  

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (338)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

338. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the commitment in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on a strawman proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments to simplify the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34094/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 included a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report.

Work on this project was suspended in 2020 as my department prioritised its response to the global pandemic. Work has resumed recently and I expect that the wider consultation process will take place later this year.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (339)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

339. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the review into contracted employment services. [34095/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In December 2019, my Department began engagement with external consultants in a review of all public employment services (PES), including contracted employment services delivered through EmployAbility, Job Clubs, JobPath and the Local Employment Services.

A joint bid by the Institute for Employment Studies and Social Finance was successful. These entities, reviewed the existing contracted PES, engaging extensively with current employment service providers and other stakeholders in the process.

My Department received the report from the Institute for Employment Studies last year. The review makes a significant contribution to the ongoing process of procuring contracted employment service capacity to supplement the existing capacity of my Department's Intreo offices.

As the design of the different Requests for Tender for the procurement of employment services later this year is still being considered and the views of the IES are informing this design process, no decision on a date of publication has been made for the IES/Social Finance review.