Written Answers Nos. 369-380
369. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether the transfer of data and/or records from his Department that is transferred to other departments, State bodies and local authorities is in aggregated form or on an individual basis; and the reason the data and/or records are provided. [3085/24]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 777 of 17 January 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.
370. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many counties have established a housing forum in their counties; whether his Department recommends the establishment of a forum in each county; if additional funding is likely for counties that have established forums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3095/24]
View answerCurrently there are two main established forums across the local authorities, the Dublin Housing Delivery Group and Galway Social Housing Taskforce.
The Dublin Housing Delivery Group (DHDG) was established in June 2021 to co-ordinate and drive delivery of social and affordable housing in the four Dublin local authorities.
Membership of the DHDG includes the Chief Executive of the four Dublin Local Authorities, the Chief Executive of Housing Agency (HA), programme co-ordinators from the Housing Delivery Co-Ordination Office (HDCO) and Assistant Secretaries and Principal Officers from the Social and Affordable Divisions of my Department.
The group is supported by housing delivery and planning staff in the four Dublin local authorities and by relevant staff of my Department and the HDCO. Other stakeholders such as AHB representatives or the LDA are invited to meetings as appropriate.
The Galway Taskforce provides a supportive framework to help maintain momentum on housing delivery.Continuing close relationship between the authorities themselves which are enhanced by the regular Taskforce engagements, as well as ability at a central level to support the frontline delivery of every housing authority is an important benefit of the Task Force. The Taskforce also addresses a range of related issues, including affordable housing, traveller accommodation and homelessness, taking a holistic approach to these issues across the combined City and County.
While this is an operational matter for local authorities my Department will continue to engage with any local authority who wishes to establish a housing forum.
371. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to request her Department to offer a solution to the issue outlined (details supplied), ensuring that this person is given access to their weekly allowance entitlement. [2439/24]
View answerMy department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) which is paid to protection applicants who reside in accommodation provided by IPAS in order to meet incidental, personal expenses. The current weekly rate of payment for an adult is €38.80.
Following your representation, officials from my department contacted the person concerned by email and letter to invite them to attend their local office to obtain a temporary payment card and be provided with an opportunity to apply for a Public Services Card.
According to departmental records, the person has collected DEA payments from the Post Office upto and including their payment for the period 11/01/2024 to 17/01/2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
372. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the unemployment levels amongst social groups, that is, men, women, young people, people with disabilities, and migrants; what specific plans her Department has to support these groups and increase employment across all; the success of these plans to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2842/24]
View answer402. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the underemployment levels amongst social groups, that is, men, women, young people, people with disabilities, and migrants; what specific plans her Department has to support these groups and increase employment across all; the success of these plans to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2841/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 402 together.
The latest monthly unemployment figures from the CSO for December 2023 record an unemployment rate of 4.9%; in this regard, below 5% is traditionally considered to be full employment. This rate is slightly higher for males than females, standing at 5.1 and 4.6 percent respectively. The unemployment rate for young people aged 15-24 years stood at 13.4 percent in December 2023.
The Labour Force Survey estimates that 130,800 people (4.7 percent of the total labour force) were working part-time and under-employed in the third quarter of 2023. This is comprised of 48,300 males (3.3% of the male labour force) and 82,500 females (6.3% of the female labour force).
It is a Government priority to encourage people into employment and reduce dependence on social welfare income supports. Pathways to Work (2021-2025), the Government's employment services and activation framework, commits to supporting those who are most distant from the labour market as well as those who are employed and wish to upskill, to reach their potential. My Department's Intreo Employment Service supports jobseekers and delivers targeted measures to achieve this goal, by:
• providing an intensive model of engagement with young people profiled as being at risk of long-term unemployment. The frequency of engagement with a case officer has increased from once a month to once a fortnight, to provide enhanced support to this priority cohort.
• Working with employers, both directly one-on-one and through hosting bespoke job fairs and local recruitment events for young jobseekers (under 30 years), workforce returners and older workers - connecting jobseekers with employers in sectors experiencing shortages, such as the health and construction sectors.
• Making the higher rate of the JobsPlus recruitment subsidy available to employers who hire an older unemployed person (over 50 years) or a person with a criminal record, in receipt of a qualifying payment.
• Extending the eligibility criteria of Community Employment Schemes to include beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive who have arrived in Ireland from the Ukraine.
• Making referrals to appropriate English language skills, numeracy and literacy courses that are delivered by 16 Education and Training Boards across the State.
• Referring jobseekers and those who are employed to relevant upskilling and reskilling opportunities in the Further and Education Sector that align with sectoral needs.
Further, my Department has introduced an early engagement process for people with disabilities to help them achieve their employment ambitions and to reduce the unemployment rate for people with a disability, which is estimated at 22 percent according to CSO Census 2022. This process is entirely voluntary and is being implemented in line with principles agreed with stakeholders. To date, approximately 1,000 participants have been referred directly to work, to State employment schemes, or to further education and training opportunities.
To ensure that Government policy objectives remain relevant in the current labour market context, my Department will later this quarter publish the mid-term review of the Pathways to Work Strategy. This review has been informed by the Labour Markey Advisory Council, a public consultation process and engagement with key stakeholders.
373. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection what percentage of people on partial capacity benefit are in receipt of the benefit at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2351/24]
View answerThe Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) scheme allows a person in receipt of an Invalidity Pension (IP) or Illness Benefit (IB) to enter employment or self-employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment. The amount of payment is set at 50%, 75% or 100% of their previous payment depending on the extent to which their condition is assessed to impair their capacity to work. A person assessed as Mild (25%) for PCB does not qualify for payment of PCB.PCB has also been designed so that there are no restrictions or limits on earnings or on the number of hours a person can work. Furthermore, people on the PCB may return to IB or IP if they find that they cannot continue to work.
At the end of December 2023, there were 2,867 individuals in receipt of PCB. The category of payments are as follows:
|
No. of Customers |
Restriction on capacity to work |
|
2,066 |
Moderate 50% |
|
681 |
Severe 75% |
|
120 |
Profound 100% |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of required social welfare contributions to qualify for ophthalmic benefit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2352/24]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical, and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
In order to qualify, a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
The person concerned does not meet these criteria and, as a result, he does not satisfy the conditions for treatment benefit under the Department's PRSI scheme.
However, if the person concerned is the holder of a medical card he may have an entitlement to benefit under the HSE scheme. If this is the case, he should contact his local HSE office for advice on making a claim.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
375. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE network cyber security- ICT specialist at the grade of executive officer working in her Department as of 15 January 2024; if she will provide same figures as of 31 December 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2368/24]
View answerThe following schedule shows the number of staff assigned to the Cyber Security Team at the grade of EO ICT Cyber Security as of 31 December 2022 and 15 January 2024.
Tabular Statement
Table 1: The number of WTE network cyber security- ICT specialist at the grade of executive officer working in her Department.
|
Year |
EO ICT(Cyber) |
|
As of 31st Dec 2022 |
2 |
|
As of 15th Jan 2024 |
2 |
376. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated revenue which will be generated in 2024 and 2025 by the increases in PRSI which were announced as part of Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2377/24]
View answerA PRSI rate increase of 0.1% across all rates of PRSI (employer, employee and self-employed) from 1 October 2024 was announced in Budget 2024. In November 2023 the Government agreed to further increases as follows:
2025: 0.1 percentage points
2026: 0.15 percentage points
2027: 0.15 percentage points
2028: 0.2 percentage points
All of these PRSI increases will be effective from 1st October of each year.
The Government also agreed to increase the annual minimum contribution payment for Class S and the voluntary contribution for former self-employed contributors by €150 to €650 from 1 October 2024.
It is estimated that these increases will yield €62 million in 2024 and €323 million in 2025.
These estimates do not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from changing the rate of employer PRSI.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
377. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a domiciliary care allowance appeal for a person (details supplied). [2379/24]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 19th January 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
378. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the process through which a person (details supplied) can defer their pension and extend their employment. [2388/24]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of maximum rate Widow's Contributory Pension (WCP).
As this is a contributory pension, the person concerned can continue to have an income and remain entitled to this pension. On reaching age 66, the WCP will increase in rate to an amount equivalent to the maximum rate State Pension (contributory).
In September 2022, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in response to the recommendations from the Pensions Commission. This set of measures represents the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system. One of the key measures is the introduction of a flexible pension system in Ireland. Under this new system, from January 2024, people will still be able to retire at 66 and draw-down their pension in exactly the same way as they can today. In addition, there will be new flexibility for those reaching State Pension age, so that people may choose to defer their pension, work longer and receive a higher pension payment, if they wish. The flexible State Pension system is about providing people with choice. People will decide for themselves what best suits their needs and circumstances. For example, in the case of a person who reaches age 66 and does not have sufficient contributions to qualify for a full pension, they will now have the option to work for longer to build up additional entitlements. If a person has less than 10 years PRSI reckonable paid contributions, they may be able to use this period of deferral to establish entitlement. A person will also have the option to continue working between age 66 and 70 and receive an actuarially based increase in their weekly payment rate, should they choose to defer their State Pension.
The person concerned is currently employed though the Job Initiative Scheme. This scheme was introduced in 1996 as an employment support designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities. Recruitment to the scheme ceased in 2004 and those on the scheme at that time were given a guarantee that they could remain on the scheme until they resigned voluntarily or reached age 66.
The position regarding funding for participants on Job Initiative, remains the same. Funding for participants will continue to be available up to State Pension Age, which is currently 66.
Certain social welfare payments such as WCP will continue to be available to those over age 66 who defer. However, if a person claims the WCP for any period during their deferral of state pension (contributory), that time will not be counted towards the actuarial increase in payment. The additional contributions acquired during the period can be used in the calculation of their SPC entitlement.
Further information about the changes in State pension (contributory) and how to calculate entitlement is available on the Government website at gov.ie/pensions.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
379. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection how a person can become registered as a marriage solemniser; if such positions are open to non-Departmental staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2411/24]
View answerIn order to legally solemnise a marriage in the State a person must be nominated for registration in the Register of Solemnisers. To be so registered a person wishing to become a solemniser must be either, a registrar employed by the Health Service Executive, or be a member of a religious or a secular body in Ireland and nominated by them.
Each religious and secular body has a registered nominator who is responsible for ensuring the details held in the Register of Solemnisers is accurately recorded by the General Registers Office.
There are no other provisions for persons to become registered in the Register of Solemnisers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
380. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the history of contributions made by a person (details supplied) is sufficient to qualify the person for invalidity pension. [2425/24]
View answerInvalidity Pension (IP) is payable to an insured person who satisfies certain Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions and who is permanently incapable of work due to an illness or incapacity and for no other reason.
To qualify for IP, an applicant must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. PRSI classes A, E ,H & S contributions only are reckonable for IP purposes.
The relevant date is:
(a) any date after the completion of one year of continuous incapacity for work, or
(b) any lesser period that may be prescribed, subject to the conditions and in the circumstances that may be prescribed
where the insured person has entered into a continuous period of incapacity for work and he or she is subsequently proved to be permanently incapable of work.
A further qualifying condition for IP is that a person must be regarded as being permanently incapable of work. A person is regarded as being permanently incapable of work if:
• for the period of 1 year immediately before the date of application, the person had been continuously incapable of work and a Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the person is likely to continue to be incapable of work for at least another year; or
• a Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the likelihood is that the person will be incapable of work for life.
My department's records indicate that, while the individual involved has the required 260 contributions paid since entering social insurance, he does not have any paid or credited contributions at the reckonable classes for IP in the past number of years. However, eligibility for IP can only be established on receipt of a completed application form.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
