Thursday, 7 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1-30

Social Welfare Offices

Questions (9)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

9. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection when in-person appointments will resume in social protection offices. [48665/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I can confirm to the Deputy that in-person appointments are available at all Intreo centres and that all of these center's are open 5 days per week, as are our branch offices. Offices are open for walk-in service each morning and appointment all day to 5pm.

If a person wishes to make an in-person appointment for any of the Department's services, they can contact their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office and an appointment will be arranged for them. Contact details for all our offices are available on www.gov.ie.

The health and safety of members of the public and of staff in my Department is of paramount importance. For in-person appointments, we continue to observe public health measures including the use of screens and hand sanitiser. The duration of all in-person appointments are kept as short as practically possible and social distancing guidelines are observed at all times.

We did however enhance and develop other means of accessing services during the Pandemic including by telephone and online and, for most people, these have worked well. We would encourage people to continue to use these options wherever possible.

Many people are now using www.gov.ie to obtain information and our easy to use online portal www.MyWelfare.ie to apply for various income supports.

We expect the high uptake of both online and in-person services to continue.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (10)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

10. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance for persons under 26 years of age who are residing in their familial home considering the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing housing crisis which have given rise to an increase in the number of young persons living at home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48618/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

In August 2021, the rate of unemployment for young people under 25 was just under 26% when using the Central Statistic's Office Covid-19 adjusted measure. Although this rate is high, it includes all those young people on PUP which, in August, included students - many of whom would not be considered unemployed as that term is commonly understood. Even allowing for their inclusion, the Covid adjusted youth unemployment rate has fallen sharply from its 2021 peak of 61% in January. This rate is expected to fall further in the October unemployment estimates as students, previously in receipt of PUP, will no longer be included in the estimate. In addition, following the continued reopening of our society, the number of young persons on PUP has declined significantly, falling to just under 10,400 this week. I expect this trend to continue as the final restrictions are eased.These trends show that young people are among the most resilient groups in society and, once the opportunities are available, youth employment recovers very quickly.The current approach to rates of payment for young Jobseekers allowance recipients was introduced in 2009 to encourage young unemployed people to participate in employment, education and training programmes. Although the basic rate is €112.70 per week for young people up to and including 24 year olds, it increases to the standard rate of €203 if a young jobseeker participates on an education or training programme. Where they participate on the new Work Placement Experience Programme, their weekly rate is increased to €306. There are many opportunities for young unemployed people - the Department has introduced a series of targeted measures under the Pathways to Work strategy targeted at young people including ring-fencing 4,000 places on the Work Placement Experience Programme and providing 50,000 additional further education and training places.I trust this clarifies my position.

Question No. 11 answered orally.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (12)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

12. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the increase in the State pension and other social welfare rates that will be required in Budget 2022 to match inflation since the last increase in rates. [44885/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2022 over the coming week, taking account of available resources. The Central Statistics Office, in its most recent statistical release on prices, shows that the average level of prices over the 12 months to August 2021, as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, was broadly the same as for the 12 months ending August 2020. Having said that, I am also mindful that annual, or 12 monthly, data, can lag the lived experience of people and that monthly data indicates that price levels have increased recently. This is obviously a factor to be taken into account in finalising the budget. It is, I believe, important to emphasise that the Government takes a range of data, not just price data, into account in formulating its budget. For example, the last two Budgets have, in fact, seen a series of evidence based increases in some social welfare payments targeted to improve the situation of the people who are most at risk of poverty and to ensure the most vulnerable were protected.These included increases in the Living Alone Allowance of €10 per week, the Fuel Allowance being 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 disregards for the One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker Transition Payment and Disability Allowance have been increased, allowing lone parents and people with disabilities to earn more from employment without their payment being affected.As a result of these targeted measures, some of the most vulnerable social welfare recipients have already seen increases significantly above the rate of inflation over this period. For example, during the fuel season, a pensioner or person with a disability living alone is up to €15.50 per week better off. In the case of a lone parent or a person with a disability, this could increase further if they are working, as they can benefit from the increased earnings disregards introduced and the improvements made to the Working Family Payment.In considering options for the forthcoming Social Welfare Budget package, I will once again be guided by evidence-based research produced by organisations such as the CSO, the ERSI and the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice. Taking an evidence-based approach ensures that available resources are used to deliver maximum impact in terms of reducing poverty and disadvantage.

Questions Nos. 13 to 16, inclusive, answered orally.

Employment Support Services

Questions (17)

Joan Collins

Question:

17. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the terms of reference of the procurement tender in relation to the request for tender of the Regional Employment Service in four geographical lots in the north-west and midlands will involve showing evidence of the ability to deposit funds against a failure to deliver on the tender. [48534/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department published a request for tenders on the 26 May last to introduce the new Regional Employment Services model into seven counties where a Local Employment Service does not exist. We are now at an advanced stage in its first phase of a two-phase procurement of new employment services. This procurement process follows extensive consultations by my Department with the existing service providers over the last number of years.

I can assure the Deputy that, under these requests for tender, there is no requirement to lodge any funds against potential underperformance for the new Regional Employment Service.

The request for tender under Phase one, lays out the appropriate means of addressing underperformance by a service-provider. A Remediation Plan would detail the steps required to address the underperformance, with the provision of up to eight weeks to resolve these issues. Following this, the Department has sole discretion to take appropriate action up to and including the termination of contract. Needless to say, my Department would make every effort to ensure service-providers will deliver the employment services they are contracted to deliver. In the event that it is not possible to satisfactorily resolve service issues my Department will put contingency measures in place to ensure continuity of service for the long-term unemployed and other clients.

The second phase of procurement is to commence shortly and will see the Regional Employment Service model rolled out across the State. It will take on board the learnings from the first phase. 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.

My Department has a strong track record in working with service-providers in a constructive and pragmatic manner to ensure the delivery of services to those who need them most. This will continue under the new employment service models.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (18)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

18. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers availing of parent’s leave and parent’s benefit since the extension was announced on 1 April 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48653/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Government has committed to the continued support of working parents to achieve a better work-life balance. Parent’s Leave and Benefit falls into this category and encourages the sharing of parental responsibilities equally between couples. Parent’s benefit is paid at a weekly flat rate of €245 for five weeks to employed and self-employed people who avail of parents leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution and other conditions. The rate of parent’s benefit is the same as the rates of paternity benefit, adoptive benefit and maternity benefit.I had the pleasure in Budget 2021 to extend parent's benefit from two to five weeks. Following that extension there has been a marked increase in the number of parents benefit claims awarded by my Department.The number of Parents who have applied for parents benefit between 1st April 2021 and 30th September 2021 is 30,570. The associated cost of the benefit in this period is some €23m. Since the start of this year, some 37,926 applications for Parent’s Benefit have been awarded compared to 15,729 for all of 2020.The Deputy will be aware that I also extended the period in which the leave can be taken, so that the 5 weeks can be taken by each parent within the first two years of the child's birth. The leave benefit can also be paid in separate weekly blocks or can be paid over a consecutive 5 week period.The changes introduced enhance the flexibility of the schemes to make it easier for parents to avail of parent’s leave and parents benefit, and contributes to an improved work life balance.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (19)

Matt Carthy

Question:

19. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a review into the farm assist scheme. [47521/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Farm Assist Scheme is an important income support for farmers on low incomes, enabling them to continue to farm while also receiving a State income support. This is important not just for the farmers concerned but for the rural communities in which they live and work. Under the scheme farmers can receive the equivalent of a jobseeker payment and also have access to secondary benefits and employment services. The 2021 Further Revised Estimate provides for expenditure of €61.7 million on the scheme. The scheme is currently supporting just over 5,100 farmers.

While the means test for the Farm Assist scheme is already more generous than that for the Jobseeker Allowance scheme I am very conscious of the importance of sustaining farming activity and supporting farming households in rural communities.

Accordingly, the Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government and in the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 to review the means assessment disregards for the Farm Assist Scheme. Officials in the Department are finalising this technical review of the means assessment and I expect that the report will be submitted to me shortly for consideration.

Any changes to social welfare supports, including the Farm Assist scheme, will be considered in a budgetary and policy context.

State Pensions

Questions (20)

Matt Carthy

Question:

20. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the specific actions her Department will be taking to address low-income farmers being locked out of State pension schemes. [47522/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Low income farmers are not locked out of State pension schemes. As with all other persons, farmers can avail of the State Pension (Contributory) scheme if they have sufficient PRSI contributions. People on low incomes, including farmers, may alternatively qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) (SPNC), which is a means-tested pension, financed by the Exchequer, and paid at up to 95% of the maximum rate of the SPC. The Farm Assist scheme was introduced in 1999 to provide income support for low income farmers. It replaced the Smallholders’ Unemployment Assistance payment and did not entail any payment of self-employed PRSI contributions. Recipients who had previously paid Class S social insurance contributions could pay voluntary contributions to maintain their social insurance record, provided they satisfied the qualifying conditions to do so. Since 1st January 2007, the exemption from Class S PRSI has been removed and those self-employed persons receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance or Farm Assist are subject to Class S PRSI as self-employed contributors on their self-employed income, provided their annual income is €5,000 or more. Many low income farmers qualify for he non-contributory State pension on this basis.Low income farmers, on Farm Assist who don't, on reaching age 66, qualify for the non-contributory pension can take the opt to retain the Farm Assist rate of payment if that is higher than any amount that they would get on the non-contributory, or means tested, pension.The Department is currently conducting a technical review of the means test disregards for the Farm Assist Scheme, in line with a commitment under the Programme for Government and in 'Our Rural Future, Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025'. I expect that the report will be submitted to me shortly for consideration. Any changes to social welfare supports, will be considered in a budgetary context in view of the overall improvements to social welfare supports. I hope that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (21)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

21. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are currently available to families with children in hospital; if consideration has been given to placing a social welfare officer on site at children’s hospitals to provide necessary information on exceptional needs payments and carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48266/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I am very aware of the pressures, financial and otherwise, that having a child in hospital can place on parents. As the two main hospitals that treat children are based in the Dublin area, this often involves parents having to travel distances and to stay close to the hospital concerned. My Department provides supports that can be accessed where a need arises as a result of a child being hospitalised.

Where a domiciliary care allowance is in payment this continues to be paid for up to 13 weeks following the hospitalisation of a child. Similarly, if carers allowance is in payment this payment continues for up to 13 weeks following the hospitalisation.

In all other cases, application can be made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme as this scheme is intended to provide assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Under the SWA scheme, the Department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and which are deemed to be necessary.

In addition, an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. For example, the payment can be for costs such as travel, necessary temporary accommodation while a family member is in hospital and clothing or other hospital requirements.

Social workers who are based in the hospitals are well briefed on these schemes and are in a position to contact staff of my Department for assistance where this is required. As a result, I do not believe there is a need to base staff of my Department in the hospitals concerned.

My Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them. To that end detailed information on each scheme and service is published on gov.ie. A list of all DSP schemes and services can be found at www.gov.ie/dspschemes and this page provides a link to the dedicated web page for each individual scheme including the Exceptional Needs Payment and Carer’s Allowance.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (22)

Marian Harkin

Question:

22. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to increasing the weekly carers payments by €8 and the carer’s support grant from €1,850 to €2,000. [48627/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2022 over the coming days, 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. The Carer's Support Grant was also increased by €150, from €1,700 to €1,850 per year - its highest ever 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.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (23)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

23. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the minimum essential standard of living data compiled by an organisation (details supplied); her views on the validity of the research behind the data; and if she will consider using the data as evidence in determining the level of core social welfare payments. [45864/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department funds work undertaken by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice to develop and calculate the Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL). My officials work closely with the MESL team and I find this work very useful in informing policy. The outputs from this research complement data produced from other analyses such as the Survey on Income and Living Conditions produced by the Central Statistics Office.

The MESL research provides an estimate of the income requirements of different family types in both urban and rural locations. It provides a comparison of welfare payments against these calculated requirements to identify what the Vincentian Partnership terms adequacy gaps. In 2020, the study concluded that pensioner couple households have no adequacy gaps but other households demonstrate gaps of various magnitudes.

This research also highlights issues that may also be addressed by improvements in services. In this regard, improved services, such as the extension of GP visit cards for children and the affordable childcare scheme can result in significant reductions in the minimum income standards needed by households.

In recent years, the Department has used the study as a key input into consideration of Budget options. Budget 2019 introduced a new, higher rate of increase for qualified children aged 12 and over, across all social welfare schemes. Budgets 2020 and 2021 again provided for a higher increase for older children. Changes have also been made to enhance the Working Family Payment and One Parent Family payments. In addition, the Living Alone Allowance increased by a total of €10 per week over Budgets 2020 and 2021 in response to the research highlighting adequacy gaps, particularly for pensioners living alone.

Measures taken by this and previous governments ensure that social welfare payment rates in Ireland are among the highest in Europe. Social transfers contribute very significantly to reducing poverty rates in Ireland. According to the Central Statistics Office, in the absence of social transfers and pension income, the at-risk-of-poverty rate would be 41.4%. After social transfers, the rate is 12.8%. This is a poverty reduction effect of 68.5% for all social transfers and pensions, one of the highest in Europe.

I can assure the Deputy that any measures being considered for Budget 2022 will be guided by research, including the minimum essential standard of living research, to target resources at those who are identified as being in most need.

Fuel Prices

Questions (24, 83, 89, 93)

Thomas Gould

Question:

24. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the fuel allowance given the significant increases in fuel prices. [48661/21]

Dara Calleary

Question:

83. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the fuel allowance; her plans to widen eligibility for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48635/21]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

89. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to increasing the fuel allowance in Budget 2022 as a result of rising energy prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48519/21]

Paul Murphy

Question:

93. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether eligibility for the fuel allowance should be expanded given the increases in electricity prices and carbon tax. [48554/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 83, 89 and 93 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 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 criteria for fuel allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. All recipients of non-contributory payments are accepted as satisfying the means-test for fuel. People who are in receipt of a qualifying contributory payment must also satisfy a means test. Any extension of the fuel allowance scheme or increase in the weekly amount can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.This year funds raised through the carbon tax will again support targeted social welfare and other initiatives to alleviate fuel poverty and ensure a just transition. In this regard, in the forthcoming budget, the Government will consider how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments. Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances. Exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet from his / her own resources. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Fuel Prices

Questions (25)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

25. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she will take to protect persons from the rising cost of fuel and electricity and the increasing risk of fuel and energy poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47688/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.

With regard to income supports my Department provides a range of schemes to assist with energy costs. These include -

- The Fuel Allowance which is a payment of €28 per week for 28 weeks (giving a total per recipient of €784 each year) from October to April (estimated to cost €300 million in 2021).

- Electricity or gas allowances under the Household Benefits scheme (at an estimated cost in 2021 of €195 million).

- A special heating supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

- Exceptional needs payments to help meet an essential once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources.

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.

The Deputy will appreciate that provision of income support is only part of the answer in terms of addressing energy costs. One of the best ways to tackle energy costs in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling through proper building and household insulation.

This year funds raised through the carbon tax will again support targeted social welfare and other initiatives to alleviate fuel poverty and ensure a just transition. In this regard, in the forthcoming budget, the Government will consider how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments. Any such measures can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 26 answered with Question No. 14.

Fuel Prices

Questions (27, 56, 79)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

27. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an increase in income criteria for the fuel allowance can be considered given the rising costs of heating a home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48622/21]

Patrick Costello

Question:

56. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will assess the income eligibility criteria for fuel allowance to only apply to the applicant’s income as opposed to other adults' resident in the property whose income is not necessarily pooled with the applicant for the purpose of general expenditure and as such has no impact on their ability to meet heating costs. [47855/21]

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

79. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the possibility of increasing the income limit for pensioners when considering the fuel allowance in the context of increasing energy costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48672/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 56 and 79 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 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.The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. All recipients of non-contributory payments are accepted as satisfying the means-test for fuel. People who are in receipt of a qualifying contributory payment must also satisfy a means test. A fuel applicant and members of his/her household may have a combined assessable income of up to €100.00 a week above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory and qualify for a payment. This ensures that the fuel allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.Any extension of the fuel allowance qualifying criteria, such as increasing the allowable means for fuel allowance purposes or only assessing the means of the fuel applicant, can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances. Exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet from his / her own resources. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (28)

Holly Cairns

Question:

28. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on increasing the disability allowance personal rate by €20 a week. [48682/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2022 over the coming days, 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 will have benefitted from these measures, which included an increase in the Living Alone Allowance of €10 per week, increases in the weekly rate Fuel Allowance 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 Disability Allowance 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.My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability. In line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government, the Government will use the research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to inform the direction of future policy.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. As this matter is significantly wider than the income support system, a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken. Once this process is complete, I intend to submit the report to Government for consideration. An increase of €20 per week - in the personal rate only - of Disability Allowance would cost an estimated €163.3 million in a full year, based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2022. Any changes to the rate of payment for Disability Allowance will be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.

Public Services Card

Questions (29)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

29. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 629 of 28 July 2020, the status of the cost-benefit analysis of the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48655/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The SAFE-PSC-MyGovID framework is administered by my Department on behalf of the whole public service, and comprises three components: the Standard Authentication Framework Environment (SAFE), the Public Services Card (PSC), and the MyGovID online identity authentication service.

I can confirm that a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) report of the SAFE-PSC-MyGovID public service identity management framework will be published, along with other spending review papers published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), this month.

The report has been prepared as a Spending Review Paper by the DSP Investment Analysis Unit. The Investment Analysis Unit is a part of the Irish Government Statistical Service, and the report has been compiled in compliance with the principles of the Irish Statistical System Code of Practice, along with the Cost-Benefit Analysis principles laid down in the Public Spending Code.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

EU Directives

Questions (30)

Joan Collins

Question:

30. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the Article in the EU Directives on Public Procurement 2014/24/EU in which it states that it is obligatory to go to public procurement; and if the interpretation of this article has been validated by the Office of Government Procurement. [48552/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department is 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. Phase two will see the Regional Employment Service model rolled out across the State and my Department will take on board the learnings from the first phase when finalising the design for phase two. 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.My officials have received advice from the Chief State Solicitor's Office and the Office of the Attorney General regarding the procurement of employment services. On the basis of these, my Department is fully satisfied that the competitive procurement of employment services is, in this instance, required by Directive 2014/24/EU.In relation to engagement with the Office of Government Procurement, for phase one of the procurement process, my Department engaged with the OGP and followed the appropriate OGP procedures.