Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 28 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 492-511

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (492)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

492. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the consideration that has been given to extending the purchasing of voluntary contributions to those who are no longer in the workforce to ensure that persons can reach the required number of PRSI contributions to qualify for the State pension (contributory); if she will advise any review of the process behind voluntary contributions overall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45943/21]

View answer

Written answers

The purpose of the voluntary contribution scheme is to provide persons who were but are no longer compulsorily insured under the social insurance system with the opportunity to pay contributions directly to my Department. Voluntary contributions ensure continuity of social insurance for pension purposes during periods where former contributors are no longer insured as employed or self-employed persons or are not in receipt of credited employment contributions.

The scheme’s entry criteria require applicants to have at least 520 social insurance contributions paid from either employment or self-employment. The Scheme was changed relatively recently in February 2017 when the period of time in which an application to become a voluntary contributor must be made was extended from 12 months to 60 months (5 years) from the end of the contribution year during which the applicant last paid a compulsory social insurance contribution or was last awarded a credited employment contribution. This change has already substantially widened the opportunity for individuals to participate on the scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (493)

Niall Collins

Question:

493. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is planning to make changes to the community employment programme; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45967/21]

View answer

Written answers

On clarification with the Deputy’s office, the question relates to plans to change the eligibility criteria for CE by reducing the period a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and potentially increasing the lifetime limits.

The aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities. The programme aims to improve a person’s opportunities to return to the labour market.

CE placements are intended to be temporary and subject to time limits. This is to ensure the continued availability of places on CE schemes for a broad range of long-term unemployed candidates. Those who are unemployed and in receipt of an eligible payment for 12 months or more may be eligible to participate on CE.

In general, all CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for one year. However, CE participants, working towards a major educational award, can seek to extend participation by up to two years to enable them to reach the required qualification standards.

Those over 55 years of age can remain on CE for up to three years, while CE participants who are aged over 55 and commenced on CE prior to the introduction of the changes in 2017 continue to be eligible to stay on CE for six consecutive years.

CE participants over the age of 62 can participate on a continuous basis up to the State Pension age on the CE Service Support Stream (SSS), subject to certain criteria. In total, 10% of CE placements are available under the service support stream and Department officials continue to encourage CE schemes to promote this facility.

There are no plans at present to amend the eligibility criteria as suggested by the Deputy; any reduction in the eligibility period would reduce the number of employment support places available for persons who are facing the greatest difficulty in returning to employment, namely the long-term unemployed.

I will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services while ensuring that places continue to be made available to those who are long term unemployed.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (494, 495)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

494. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of plans for local employment schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45972/21]

View answer

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

495. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a local service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45975/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 495 together.

My Department is now at an advanced stage in its first phase of procuring new employment services. This phase involves the procurement of regional employment services for seven counties in the Midlands and North-West across four lots. These counties do not have an existing local employment service and represent the first phase of an expansion of employment services.

The funding approach for the new service awards approximately ninety percent of fees to providers when clients commence their engagement and agree their personal progression plan. The latter requires a tailored approach for each client and can contain progression towards employment, which may involve participation on relevant education, training or other programmes.

Phase two will take on board the learnings of the first phase and apply these to subsequent Requests for Tenders that will expand this model throughout the rest of the State, including County Kerry. This is a significant expansion of employment services and will result in State-wide coverage of employment services for those furthest from the labour market for the first time.

The Department is in receipt of legal advice from the Attorney General's office that it must procure its employment services in an open and competitive manner in order to meet its legal obligations arising from EU and national procurement rules.

I understand and appreciate the concerns in the sector at the changes to the Local Employment Service model. However, existing service providers with a strong track record and a willingness to cooperate with others in the sector, will be well-placed to submit high-quality tenders for the new services. The new model and its associated procurement process is accessible to the community and voluntary sectors, including through lower financial requirements and a significant emphasis on service quality. Phase two will take on board the learnings from the phase one procurement.

Question No. 495 answered with Question No. 494.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (496)

Robert Troy

Question:

496. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the provision of a pension scheme for community employment supervisors. [45978/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors.

This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the supervisors.

Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.

At the start of April, agreement was reached with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on proposals to resolve the long-standing issue. These proposals include a financial package.

I am confident these proposals are a solid basis for progressing and resolving this complex issue. Discussions on these proposals are ongoing between my Department and the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. The unions have made a number of observations, and these are currently being examined by my officials in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and other relevant Government Departments.

My officials are continuing to progress this matter as a priority, and I would hope that these discussions can reach a conclusion in the near future.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

State Pensions

Questions (497)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

497. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a review of the method of calculating PRSI contributions for the State pension (contributory) particularly with regard to averaging over years of work in which an individual may have had several years of varying classes of PRSI contributions which then results in a lower yearly average and lower rate of weekly State pension payment; the processes for granting full State pensions to those who have accumulated less than 1,200 contributions over 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45987/21]

View answer

Written answers

The State Pension (Contributory) is paid to people from the age of 66 (State Pension Age) who have enough Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) Contributions. It is not means tested.

One of the basic principles underpinning the Irish social insurance system is the contributory principle. Under this principle there is a direct link between the PRSI contributions that a person has paid and entitlement to a varying range of benefits and pensions.

At present the State Pension (Contributory) can be calculated under two different methods known as the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) and the Yearly Average (YA) approach. The elements which make up each method are set out in legislation. Since 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.

The Total Contributions Approach to calculation, introduced for pensioners reaching State Pension Age from September 2012, included provision for the HomeCaring Periods Scheme. It acknowledged, for the first time, home caring periods prior to 1994. TCA provides for up to 20 years of home caring periods to be considered. Those with a 40 year record of paid and credited social insurance contributions, subject to a maximum of 20 years of credits / homecaring periods, qualify for a maximum contributory pension where they satisfy the other qualifying conditions for the scheme.

The Yearly Average method, in place since the introduction of the state pension in 1961, is a calculation where the number of reckonable weekly PRSI contributions are divided by the number of years between entering social insurance and state pension age. Entitlement is then banded, with a YA of 48 or more required for a full rate pension. The YA system measures the frequency rather than the number of contributions. Since 6 April 1994, the Homemaker’s Scheme has allowed up to 20 years spent as a homemaker to be disregarded when calculating the YA.

There are a number of anomalies associated with the YA system. Entitlement to a full pension can in some cases be achieved from as little as 10 years of social insurance contributions. This can happen where there is a shorter timespan between first and last social insurance contributions, i.e., someone who enters insurable employment at age 55 and works until they are pension age has time to gain the requisite 520 contributions to qualify for pension, and will have a higher yearly average than someone who has gaps in their record although they may have started work at 16.

A key concept in the YA calculation is that the number of contributions are calculated from the date of entry into social insurance to the end of the last complete tax year prior to the person's 66th birthday - covering the full period of their time contributing to the social insurance system, regardless of the classes of PRSI paid over that period.

Modified rate contributions are not reckonable for a full standard State Pension (Contributory). However, they are used when calculating entitlement to a mixed insurance pro-rata State Pension (Contributory).

A mixed insurance pro rata state pension is a pro-rata pension, introduced in November 1991, which is based on a combination of full and modified rate contributions. Prior to this, many persons who paid a mixture of full and modified rate social insurance contributions did not qualify for pension despite the fact that they paid full-rate contributions for part of their working lives. These persons may now qualify for a pension based on the number of full-rate contributions as a proportion of their total contributions i.e. full and modified rate.

There are also EU and Bilateral pro-rata State Pension Contributory pensions. The pension is a pro-rata payment based on the proportion of Irish social insurance contributions to the total number of contributions paid and/or credited, that is, Irish and other insurance combined.

Those who have not built up state pension contributory entitlements in other countries, which are not covered by these agreements, will have gaps in their PRSI record and, whatever the system in place, this could be expected to impact upon their ability to qualify for a maximum rate contributory pension.

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.

The Commission has now concluded its work and has submitted its final report to me. The report itself is extremely detailed, running to several hundred pages, and covers a range of complex matters in relation to the Pensions system which will require very careful consideration. I intend to bring the report to Government in the near future, after which it will be published. The Government has committed to taking action having regards to the Commission's recommendations within 6 months.

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 and has 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.

State Pensions

Questions (498)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

498. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46071/21]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned, a State pension (contributory) recipient, applied for an Increase for qualified adult (IQA) in respect of his spouse, who is currently in receipt of the maximum rate of State pension (non-contributory) in her own right.

While State pension (contributory) is an insurance-based scheme, the IQA is a means-tested payment, payable to State pension (contributory) claimants whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit. Where property or assets are held jointly, they are assessed as half of the total amount.

If a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are between €100 and €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.

The State pension (non-contributory) is also a means-tested payment to residents in the State, but the means of both members of the couple are taken into account in the means test. The State pension (non-contributory) claim has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for review. On receipt of the Social Welfare report, a decision will be made on both the State pension (non-contributory) and the IQA entitlements.

Both the person concerned and his spouse will be notified in writing of the decisions on their respective claims.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Employment Schemes

Questions (499)

Holly Cairns

Question:

499. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the JobPath programme; and if it will be continued after October 2021. [46146/21]

View answer

Written answers

In October 2020, I announced an extension of referrals for a further twelve months to the end of 2021 for all contracted service partners including JobPath, the Local Employment Services, Job Clubs and EmployAbility. These measures were taken in order to ensure the Public Employment Service had sufficient capacity to support those impacted by the pandemic with access to employment services during 2021.

While new referrals to the JobPath service are due to cease at the end of December, there will be a run out period enabling existing clients to complete their engagement with the service. In the interim, my Department is continuing to examine procurement options for the provision of all contracted employment services 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.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (500)

Carol Nolan

Question:

500. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 461 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46200/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Social Protection is committed to the development of all its staff in order to deliver the best possible service delivery to our customers. Staff from my Department attended a number of Common Purpose Ireland programmes between 2015 and 2018, as part of my Department's focus on leadership development. As there were a number of different programmes attended by various levels of staff over these years, this did not require a formal tender process.

Common Purpose offered a unique peer-to-peer experiential learning approach through their programmes which aimed to broaden leadership perspectives with participants from across the public, private and NGO sector.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (501)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

501. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long on illness benefit enhancements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46268/21]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned made an online application for Enhanced Illness Benefit on the 13th September 2021.

In order to support her application for Enhanced Illness Benefit, medical evidence for Covid-19 was needed to support her claim. The person concerned emailed a copy of her HSE texts stating her positive diagnosis of Covid-19 to the Department on the 16th September 2021.

Subsequently, the claim from the person concerned was awarded on the 22nd September 2021. She has been awarded Enhanced Illness Benefit for 10 days and payments totalling €525.00 have issued to her.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Questions (502)

Alan Kelly

Question:

502. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yield that would be generated if the entry threshold for persons to access social insurance coverage increased for €38 per week to €95 per week. [46276/21]

View answer

Written answers

Any increase in the entry threshold for persons to access social insurance coverage from the current employee earnings level of €38 per week would lead to a reduction in the social insurance contribution yield. It is estimated that there would be a loss of approximately €7 million to the Social Insurance Fund if the entry threshold for persons to access social insurance coverage increased from €38 per week to €95 per week.

This initial reduction in income would, in time, be offset by reduced expenditure on short-term social insurance benefit schemes as those earning below the new threshold would not establish entitlement to these benefits.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Data

Questions (503)

Alan Kelly

Question:

503. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2022 if the fuel allowance increased to €31.50 per week. [46277/21]

View answer

Written answers

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 370,000 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.

My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the household benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €195 million in 2021.

The full year additional cost of the measure proposed by the Deputy is estimated at over €36 million, assuming no change in the number of recipient households or in the duration of the fuel season.

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 increasing the fuel allowance payment, can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

In Budget 2021, the Government targeted one third of carbon tax revenues to 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.

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.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (504)

Carol Nolan

Question:

504. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide €68.5 million to increase weekly carer payments by €8, the carer’s support grant to €2,000 and the carer’s allowance income disregards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46290/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2022 over the coming weeks, taking account of available resources.

My Department provides a range of income supports to carers through the Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Carer's Support Grant and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes. In total, it is estimated that my Department will spend almost €1.5 billion on these supports in 2021.

A series of evidence-based targeted measures were introduced in the last two Budgets to ensure the most vulnerable, including carers, are protected. For example, the qualified child rates were increased by €4 for children aged under 12, and €8 for those aged 12 and over. This benefits many of those on a carer’s payment. The Carer's Support Grant was also increased by €150, from €1,700 to €1,850 per year.

The means test for Carer's Allowance is unique within the social welfare system, in that a single person can have a weekly income of up to €332.50 (€665 in the case of a couple) and still qualify for the full rate of payment.

I can assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the key role that family carers play in our society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. However, any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.

Departmental Policies

Questions (505)

Carol Nolan

Question:

505. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide €3 million in annual funding towards a dedicated carer’s pension for long-term family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46291/21]

View answer

Written answers

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. Its terms of reference included consideration of how long-term carers could be accommodated in the pension system. The Commission has now completed its report and submitted it to me for consideration. In accordance with its commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government will consider the recommendations of the Pensions Commission in the coming months.

Any decisions made by the Government arising from the report will be made within the overall budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Policies

Questions (506)

Carol Nolan

Question:

506. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the basic social welfare rate for the blind pension and disability allowance by €20 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46491/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2022 over the coming weeks, taking account of available resources.

A series of evidence-based, targeted measures were introduced in the last two Budgets, to ensure the most vulnerable were protected. Many recipients of Disability Allowance and Blind Pension will have benefitted from these measures, which included an increase in the Living Alone Allowance of €10 per week, the Fuel Allowance bring increased by €5.50 per week, and increases to the weekly qualified child rates of €4 for children aged under 12, and €8 for those aged 12 and over.

In addition, the earnings disregard for both payments was increased by €20 per week, from €120 to €140, allowing recipients to earn more from employment or self-employment without their payment being affected.

To increase the weekly rate of Disability Allowance and the Blind Pension by €20 would cost an estimated €177 million in a full year. Any changes to the rate of payment for Disability Allowance or Blind Pension will be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.

Departmental Reports

Questions (507)

Carol Nolan

Question:

507. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the cost of disability report will be published as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46492/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Government commits the Government to use the research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to properly inform the direction of future policy. My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland.

The report has been received and my Department is considering it in detail. As part of this consideration, the Department has been briefing and seeking the views of relevant Government departments which have a role to play in the delivery of disability services and supports. This matter is significantly wider than the income support system which is why a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken. Once this process is complete, I intend to submit the report to Government for consideration. A decision regarding the appropriate date of publication will be made once Government has had an opportunity to consider the report fully.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

EU Directives

Questions (508)

Carol Nolan

Question:

508. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will facilitate online application methods for the blind for social protection services through welfare.ie in accordance with the EU Web Accessibility Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46494/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Social Protection is committed to making the information on all its websites and online portals accessible to all. In order to achieve this, the Department has designed its websites to follow guidelines set out by the W3C (the World Wide Web Consortium). The W3C WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) produces accessibility guidelines that are an internationally recognised benchmark of accessibility. The Department's sites currently comply with Level Double-A of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.

The Department is committed to inclusive design, enabling websites which can be used by all users including those who may have cognitive or physical impairments, such as blindness. This means that our sites, including MyWelfare.ie, can be used with assistive technologies such as screen readers or by using a keyboard for navigation, but also that the design of the Department's sites supports cognitive and visual impairments such as dyslexia, colour blindness or those short of sight, to ensure for all users that there is a smooth journey and experience through our website.

In designing new services for MyWelfare.ie the Department continues to engage with customers and stakeholder groups to assist in the design and testing of prototypes to help shape online services in a customer centric manner.

The Department is also aware of the new requirement for Public Body websites to meet the new WCAG 2.1 standard. Following the completion of audits of the Department's sites, the websites’ accessibility statements will include a statement of commitment and a compliance status statement as required under the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.

Employment Support Services

Questions (509, 513)

Paul Murphy

Question:

509. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of complaints that have been received from participants on the work placement experience programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46518/21]

View answer

Paul Murphy

Question:

513. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers who have been removed or banned from the work placement experience programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46522/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 513 together.

The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a key policy initiative under the Government's new national employment services strategy; Pathways to Work 2021-2025. WPEP is a funded work placement scheme to provide work experience for jobseekers who have been unemployed for more than six months, including time spent on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP). Participation on WPEP is entirely voluntary. All participants are paid €306 per week plus any social welfare increases for qualified adults and children. The intention is to provide quality and valuable work experience to unemployed persons.

To date there have been no complaints received from participants in relation to the WPEP programme. While placements can be closed for a number of reasons and placements must satisfy certain criteria prior to being advertised, to date no employer has been banned from WPEP or removed for any other reason other than where a placement was closed. Placements are closed when the placement is filled, after the placement has been advertised for 28 days, or where requested by the host organisation.

Any complaints received relating to participation on the WPEP will be investigated in full by the Department's case officer as part of the ongoing monitoring of the programme and the individual placement.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Employment Support Services

Questions (510)

Paul Murphy

Question:

510. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants who have started on the work placement experience programme; the number who are currently on the programme; the number who have finished placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46519/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a key policy initiative under the Government's new national employment services strategy; Pathways to Work 2021-2025. This sets out the national framework for activation and employment supports to assist persons, whose employment has been adversely affected by COVID, back to work while continuing to support those who were unemployed pre-pandemic find jobs.

WPEP is a funded work placement scheme to provide work experience for jobseekers who have been unemployed for more than six months, including time spent on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP). Participation on WPEP is entirely voluntary. All participants are paid €306 per week plus any social welfare increases for qualified adults and children. The intention is to provide quality and valuable work experience to unemployed persons.

As of 23rd September, 83 WPEP placement have been approved and of these 50 participants started their placements. There have been four instances where the participant has finished the placement early and, in one case, the participant involved did not start the placement.

There are therefore currently 45 active participants on the scheme. In addition, a further 33 participants have been issued a WPEP start date and will take up placements in this coming weeks.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Employment Support Services

Questions (511, 512)

Paul Murphy

Question:

511. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers who have requested a position they submitted to the work placement experience programme to be removed from the website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46520/21]

View answer

Paul Murphy

Question:

512. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of positions on the work placement experience programme that have been refused due to the fact that the position did not meet the standards of the scheme or that were removed for the same reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46521/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together.

The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a key policy initiative under the Government's new national employment services strategy; Pathways to Work 2021-2025. WPEP is a funded work placement scheme to provide work experience for 10,000 jobseekers who have been unemployed for more than six months, including time spent on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP). Participation on WPEP is entirely voluntary. All participants are paid €306 per week plus any social welfare increases for qualified adults and children.

All WPEP placements are advertised on the Department’s online recruitment service website; jobsIreland.ie. All host organisations and individual placements are vetted for compliance and quality assurance purposes prior to being listed on jobsireland.ie to ensure that each placement provides quality work experience and training opportunities for jobseekers.

Placements are not removed from jobsireland.ie but may be closed from jobsireland.ie for one of a number of reasons. The primary reason a placement is closed is where a jobseeker has taken up a placement or where a jobseeker has been selected for a placement with a future start date.

Placements can also be closed by or at the request of a host organisation or where the placement has been advertised for 28 days. In many such cases, the organisations may choose re-advertise the placements.

As of 23rd September 2021, 169 WPEP placements that were advertised on jobsireland.ie have closed for one of the reasons cited above.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Top
Share