The vast bulk of expenditure by the Department of Social and Family Affairs is incurred on social welfare payments to individual recipients based on predetermined qualifying conditions and rates of payment. The expenditure, which is demand-led, is driven by a range of economic, social and demographic factors. There can also be complex interactions between schemes.
The Estimates for the Department of Social and Family Affairs which were published with the 2009 Budget were based, in the main, on an analysis of trends as regards likely numbers of recipients and average value of payments in 2009. The estimates for jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance were based on the Department of Finance's prediction of an average Live Register of 290,000 for the year. Developments on the Live Register are being closely monitored by both Departments and the estimate for jobseeker's benefit and allowance will be reconsidered again in the context of the finalisation of the Revised Estimates Volume. Determination of the average Live Register figure to underpin the Estimate is the responsibility of the Department of Finance.
The procedures and processes associated with claims for jobseeker payments are necessary to ensure that the right payment is paid to the right person at the right rate. However these can be off-putting to those who now find themselves unemployed after possibly a lifetime of employment. Our procedures and processes are being reviewed and a number of process improvement initiatives are being implemented. Self-employed people may apply for the means-tested jobseeker's allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. Legislation provides for the assessment of all income in cash and any non-cash benefits which the person or his or her spouse may reasonably expect to receive during the succeeding year. The means assessment guidelines state that where the income in the coming 12 months is not ascertainable otherwise, the income for the last 12 months should be taken as a guide, allowing for any factors which it is known will vary.
Means are taken as any net profit that a person will earn in the coming 12 months. While income from the previous twelve months is used as an indication in estimating their likely future earnings, it is not simply assumed that the previous year's earnings will be received in the coming year. Instead, account is taken of the potential for significant upward or downward variations in income from one year to the next.
If a self-employed person's situation changes after they have made an initial claim for Jobseeker's Allowance, they can apply to have their means reviewed in the light of their changed circumstances. In addition it is open to the individual if he or she is dissatisfied with the means assessed to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals office.
In May 2008 an additional 31 staff were assigned to local offices to deal with the increased volume of claims all of these staff are in place.
Following on from this, a further staffing review was undertaken in October and an additional 115 were allocated. By late February 83 of these staff were in place and start dates have been agreed for a further 12 in early March.
In addition to this a separate staffing review was undertaken in Cork local office resulting in the allocation of 12 extra staff.
As many local offices are very close to capacity as regards accommodating further staff, we have decided to set up a number of central decision units around the country. Four such units are currently being set up in Dublin, Sligo, Finglas and Carrick-on-Shannon. Each unit will have 10 staff and the Department expects that all of these staff will be in place within the next few weeks. Work has recently commenced on setting up a further unit in Roscommon and this unit should be operational within the next two months or so.
A number of offices have a particularly high volume of claims awaiting a decision. In order to deal with this, 32 additional temporary staff were recruited with effect from 2 March to support these offices.
A further 16 Social Welfare Inspectors are being assigned to various locations throughout the country to undertake means testing and other work associated with processing claims for the jobseeker's allowance. This brings the total additional staff being assigned to 246.