Written Answers Nos. 182-202
182. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach the contracts a person's businesses and-or subsidiaries (details supplied) have with his Department; the value of these contracts; their length; and the other companies that entered the tendering process which resulted in this person's companies winning the contract. [12362/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsufficient information was provided by the Deputy to enable my Department to reply to this question.
183. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of pieces of legislation that were submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny by his Department since 2011; his plans to allow pre-legislative scrutiny for any upcoming pieces of legislation from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12404/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe only Bill published by my Department since 2011 was a referendum Bill, the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013, and it was published in June 2013, before the formalisation of the pre-legislative review process by Standing Orders which came into effect in November 2013.
The only proposed legislation for my Department at present is the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) Bill, which is on the C list of the current Government Legislation Programme. The Bill provides for the dissolution of the NESDO and the placing of NESC on a statutory footing. The pre-legislative review process will be progressed in the normal way after Heads of Bill have been approved by the Government.
184. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department and on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and his plans to make savings in this area. [12537/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially State-owned companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of his Department and on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the pay-out to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel and other expenditure; and his plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12626/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only agency or body under the aegis of my Department. NESDO was established under the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).
The Chairperson of NESDO is the Secretary General of my Department who serves in an ex-officio capacity. There are no fees or expenses applicable in respect of the chairmanship of NESDO.
186. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach the number of Irish nationals and non-Irish nationals who have emigrated from Ireland in each year from 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12666/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics on migration are included in the CSO's annual Population and Migration Estimates release, published in August each year. The principal source of information for the estimation of annual migration flows published by the Central Statistics Office, incorporating both emigration and immigration, is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS); the published estimates are classified by sex, broad age group, origin and destination, and nationality.
The emigration estimates are analysed along with data available from other migration indicators such as the number of work visas issued to Irish citizens for the main countries of destination via the relevant embassies and agencies.
The table shows the estimated numbers of emigrants classified by Irish and Non-Irish nationals from 2010 to 2014.
Estimated Emigrants (persons) classified by Irish and Non-Irish nationals, 2010- 2014*
|
Year Ending April |
Irish nationals |
Non-Irish nationals |
Total |
|
2010 |
28,900 |
40,300 |
69,200 |
|
2011 |
42,000 |
38,600 |
80,600 |
|
2012 |
46,500 |
40,600 |
87,100 |
|
2013 |
50,900 |
38,100 |
89,000 |
|
2014 |
40,700 |
41,200 |
81,900 |
*2012, 2013 and 2014 are preliminary and are subject to revision following publication of Census 2016.
Source: Population and Migration Estimates, Central Statistics Office.
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate out of the total number of jobs created or lost in the workplace in County Kildare in each of the past ten years and in 2015 to date, the number of such jobs taken up or lost by women and by men in the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12574/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2014. Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 Mid-East region includes Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Kildare County estimates from the QNHS.
Table 1a shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS3 Mid-East region and sex in Q4 of each year from 2004 to 2014.
Table 1b shows the annual change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS3 Mid-East region and sex in Q4 of each year from 2005 to 2014.
As Table 1a shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question.
The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by Mid-East NUTS3 region and sex, Q4 2004 -2014 '000
|
Q4 04 |
Q4 05 |
Q4 06 |
Q4 07 |
Q4 08 |
Q4 09 |
Q4 10 |
Q4 11 |
Q4 12 |
Q4 13 |
Q4 14 |
|
|
Males |
127.1 |
135.4 |
141.7 |
144.9 |
138.6 |
126.0 |
123.3 |
124.0 |
124.1 |
123.4 |
129.0 |
|
Females |
88.2 |
93.4 |
98.8 |
107.0 |
106.0 |
106.3 |
103.0 |
106.0 |
101.5 |
102.5 |
108.9 |
|
All persons |
215.2 |
228.8 |
240.5 |
251.9 |
244.7 |
232.3 |
226.3 |
229.9 |
225.5 |
225.9 |
237.9 |
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by Mid-East NUTS3 region and sex, Q4 2005 - 2014 - Annual change '000
|
Q4 05 |
Q4 06 |
Q4 07 |
Q4 08 |
Q4 09 |
Q4 10 |
Q4 11 |
Q4 12 |
Q4 13 |
Q4 14 |
|
|
Males |
8.4 |
6.2 |
3.2 |
-6.3 |
-12.7 |
-2.6 |
0.6 |
0.1 |
-0.6 |
5.6 |
|
Females |
5.2 |
5.4 |
8.2 |
-1.0 |
0.3 |
-3.4 |
3.0 |
-4.5 |
1.0 |
6.4 |
|
All persons |
13.6 |
11.7 |
11.4 |
-7.2 |
-12.4 |
-6.0 |
3.6 |
-4.4 |
0.4 |
12.0 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office;
Reference period: Q4 = October - December.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the total number of jobs created which have been taken up by men and women in the workplace over the past five years and in 2015 to date; the extent to which this compares with the previous five year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12569/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2014.
Table 1a shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment, classified by sex in Q4 of each year 2004, 2009 and 2014.
Table 1b shows the five year change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment, classified by sex in Q4 of the years 2009 and 2014.
As Table 1a shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question.
The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by sex, Q4 2004, Q4 2009 and Q4 2014 '000
|
Employment |
Q4 04 |
Q4 09 |
Q4 14 |
|
Males in employment |
1,098.2 |
1,034.3 |
1,053.1 |
|
Females in employment |
801.5 |
887.2 |
885.9 |
|
All persons in employment |
1,899.8 |
1,921.4 |
1,938.9 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office;
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec.
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by sex, Q4 2009 and Q4 2014 - Five year change '000
|
Employment |
Q4 09 |
Q4 14 |
|
Males in employment |
-63.9 |
18.8 |
|
Females in employment |
85.7 |
-1.3 |
|
All persons in employment |
21.6 |
17.5 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office;
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the total number of jobs created in each of the past ten years and in 2015 to date; the total number of persons at work in each year during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12566/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2014.
Table 1a shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment in Q4 of each year from 2004 to 2014.
Table 1b shows the annual change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment in Q4 of each year from 2005 to 2014.
As Table 1a shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question.
The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO), Q4 2004- Q4 2014 '000
|
- |
Q4 04 |
Q4 05 |
Q4 06 |
Q4 07 |
Q4 08 |
Q4 09 |
Q4 010 |
Q4 11 |
Q4 12 |
Q4 13 |
Q4 14 |
|
In employment |
1,899.8 |
1,995.3 |
2,091.2 |
2,156.0 |
2,083.5 |
1,921.4 |
1,857.3 |
1,847.7 |
1,848.9 |
1,909.8 |
1,938.9 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office;
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec.
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO), Q4 2005 - Q4 2014 - Annual change '000
|
- |
Q4 05 |
Q4 06 |
Q4 07 |
Q4 08 |
Q4 09 |
Q4 10 |
Q4 11 |
Q4 12 |
Q4 13 |
Q4 14 |
|
In employment |
95.5 |
96.0 |
64.7 |
-72.5 |
-162.0 |
-64.1 |
-9.6 |
1.2 |
61.0 |
29.1 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office;
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec.
190. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Taoiseach his plans to develop a strategic position for Ireland in the event of the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13083/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key strategic objective for the Government is the UK's continued membership of the European Union. I have made this very clear on a number of occasions. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D., and the Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy T.D., have also spoken clearly on this issue.
The reasons why the UK's presence in the EU is so important to Ireland are well-documented. British membership is central to the health of our economy and to the broader British-Irish relationship. And the people of Northern Ireland benefit, on a variety of levels, from our joint membership of the Union.
It is also the Government's firm view that the EU is better and stronger as a whole with Britain as a full and committed EU member.
That is why our focus remains on keeping the UK in the European Union, rather than planning for their departure. A key part of this approach is working closely with the UK, and other Member States, on EU policy issues on which we have similar views. The British Government and other British political parties have made it clear that the achievement of common aims in regard to EU policy – and economic policy in particular – will help buttress the case in Britain for its continued membership of the EU.
We recognise that the UK has some legitimate concerns about how the EU functions and its future direction. We will therefore be open and sympathetic to considering any British proposals, if and when they are presented, on how we can improve the functioning of the EU. At the same time – as we have said before – we will not support anything that would weaken the Union or our position within it.
While the Government is determined to do its utmost to keep the UK in the EU, we recognise that we must be prepared for any scenario. We are therefore monitoring and assessing developments in the EU-UK relationship very carefully.
My Department is working closely with other Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in this regard. The Department of Finance is also playing an important role and has recently commissioned a report to improve our understanding of the macro-economic links between the UK and Ireland in the context of our EU membership.
While our priority remains helping to secure the UK's place in the EU, we will continue to take a vigilant and comprehensive approach, across Government, to ensure that Ireland's interests are best protected in the case of a British departure from the EU.
191. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the assistance available to residents who cannot obtain flood insurance on their home; the updates that are available regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13089/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, the Department of Social Protection has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as flooding or severe weather. The Community Welfare Service of the Department closely engages with the Local Authorities and other bodies to ensure that all households that require assistance are identified and provided with access to supports.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. In addition to the payment of ENPs, SWA legislation also provides for assistance in the form of an urgent needs payment (UNP). In certain circumstances, this payment can be made to persons who would not normally be entitled to SWA. Examples of situations where such assistance may be provided would be in the aftermath of flooding or a domestic fire where the immediate needs, such as food, clothing, fuel and household goods of the people affected may be met by a UNP in cash or in kind. The Government has provided €29 million for the ENP and UNP schemes in 2015
The humanitarian assistance scheme was approved by Government in November 2009. The Government authorised the spending of up to €10 million in humanitarian aid to households affected by flooding. An additional sum of €15 million was approved by the Government in 2014 to ensure that there were adequate resources to meet the required responses. In 2014 some €1.26 million was spent under the humanitarian assistance scheme. The scheme, which is means tested, provides emergency financial assistance to households who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs in the period immediately following flooding or severe weather events. The scheme aims to provide financial support to people who have suffered damage to their homes and in doing so provide hardship alleviation, as opposed to full compensation. Repairs for structural damage caused as a result of the flooding or severe weather events can also be considered under the scheme. Levels of payment depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household's ability to meet these costs ensuring that the funding is appropriately targeted.
Any person who is experiencing hardship as a result of flooding should contact the Department's local representative administering the supplementary welfare allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.
192. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if persons who are caring for children with a disability, in cases where the domiciliary care allowance payment is being received but where they do not qualify for carer's allowance because of the means test, are entitled to credited contributions to keep their pay-related social insurance record up to date during the period for which they are caring for the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12689/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary care allowance is not a primary payment and as such credited contributions are not awarded in connection with this allowance. However, persons caring for children under 12 years or incapacitated children over 12 years of age can avail of the homemakers scheme for the purpose of maintaining entitlement to state pension (contributory).
The homemakers scheme provides that contribution years spent working in the home while caring on a full-time basis for a child up to 12 years of age or an incapacitated person age 12 or over will be disregarded when calculating a person's yearly average number of contributions for pension purposes. A maximum of 20 homemaking years may be disregarded.
Further details on the homemakers scheme are available on www.welfare.ie.
193. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the yield in 2014 from the 4.25% employers' pay-related social insurance rate, which applied to employees with weekly earnings of less than €356, reverting to the original 8.5% rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12690/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the yield in 2014 from the extension of pay-related social insurance to unearned income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12691/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
Employer PRSI is payable on earnings at the rate of 10.75% in respect of weekly earnings in excess of €356 and at 8.5% on weekly earnings of €356 or less.
As part of the 2011 Jobs Initiative, the Minister for Finance announced the halving of the 8.5% rate of employer PRSI to 4.25%, as a means of helping job creation and improving labour cost competitiveness, particularly in the tourism and other employment-rich areas of the economy. This measure was implemented on a 2½ year limited time basis to apply from 1 July 2011 until 31 December 2013. The 4.25% employer PRSI rate reverted to the original 8.5% rate from 1 January 2014.
The yield in 2014 from the 4.25% employer PRSI rate reverting to the original 8.5% rate was €176 million.
From 1 January 2014, the exemption from PRSI applying to employed contributors and recipients of occupational pensions and occupational survivors pensions aged under 66 years, whose only additional income is unearned income, was abolished. This means that unearned income such as rental income, investment income, dividends and interest on deposits and savings are liable to PRSI at 4% provided the person is a chargeable person in accordance with the Revenue definition.
At the time the measure was implemented it was estimated that the yield for this measure would be €14m in 2014 and €20 million in a full year. At this point it is not possible to provide the actual yield.
195. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the training opportunities available to an unemployed person who has been refused participation on a community employment scheme and on SOLAS training courses, in view of the fact the person was previously self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12692/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key objective of activation policy and labour market initiatives is to offer assistance to those most in need of support in securing work and achieving financial self-sufficiency. This policy objective prioritises scarce resources to those in receipt of qualifying welfare payments. Accordingly the employment services and schemes provided by the Department are focused, in the first instance, on this cohort of unemployed people.
People who were previously self-employed and are now in receipt of jobseeker's allowance have access to the full range of activation measures available to other jobseeker's allowance recipients. Access to employment or work-experience-based programmes, involving the payment of a supplement to participants' basic jobseekers' payments, continues to be confined to unemployed persons who are in receipt of such payments.
Unemployed persons (including those previously self-employed) not in receipt of payments – generally because they have means in excess of the allowable limits – may be eligible to avail of up-skilling opportunities, for example through ETB training or through further or higher education courses, but will not be eligible to receive a training allowance while undertaking such training. Springboard and Skillnets courses for unemployed people, funded through the Department of Education and Skills, are also open to people regardless of their social welfare status.
Many other services are also available to people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment. Employment services, such as advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools are available to people if they register with the Department's employment services offices, regardless of their social welfare status.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the exceptional needs payment to meet funeral costs in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare has been approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12724/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease refer to Question No. 206 of 24 February 2015. A review was carried out by a reviewing officer of the exceptional needs payment application of the persons concerned and they have been advised of the outcome.
197. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will appoint a member of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service to the Citizens Information Board as it is appropriate and critical that this organisation have an input into the drawing up of a feasibility study for the future delivery of structures for citizen information and the service countrywide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12725/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 provided for the transfer of responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. CIB delivers on its remit to provide services to the public by supporting a network of delivery partners which includes 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS).
The legislative provisions governing Board membership of the CIB are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000, the Citizens Information Act 2007, and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011. In September 2014, the Government agreed new arrangements for filling State Board vacancies and new Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards were issued in November 2014. Vacancies on the Board of CIB are filled in accordance with these new Guidelines and the legislative requirements.
As part of the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2012-2015, CIB commissioned a feasibility study to identify options for organisational integration by its delivery partners. This work was carried out by a company called Pathfinder and overseen by a Steering Group, comprising national representatives from Citizens Information Services staff and Boards, MABS staff and Boards and staff from the Citizens Information Board. The work included extensive and comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders, including representatives of CIB's delivery partner services (CIS and MABS) at local level. It identified a number of options for consideration. Following on from this, the Board of CIB agreed to the establishment of a Design Group tasked with outlining and recommending possible new structural models. The Design Group includes members of the voluntary boards and staff of a number of the CIS and MABS services, together with representation from CIB management. Submissions were sought by CIB from the representatives of Boards and staff of CIS and MABS, to inform the deliberations of the Design Group, which will report back to the Board in due course. Accordingly, I am satisfied that the level of engagement in the process involving all the relevant CIB delivery partners, including the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, will reflect the inputs and views of all stakeholders and will contribute to the development of more effective service delivery structures which will enhance outcomes for all citizens.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the exceptional needs payment granted is adequate to cover funeral costs in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12726/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease refer to Question No. 206 of 24 February 2015. A review was carried out by a reviewing officer of the exceptional needs payment application of the person concerned and they have been advised of the outcome.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent of payment and weekly amount that is likely to remain available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the one-parent family payment scheme in view of the current changes being implemented to that scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12852/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the One Parent Family (OFP) scheme age change reforms is to reduce long-term welfare dependency and provide improved access for lone parents to the Department's range of education, training, and employment support programmes in order to assist them in securing or increasing employment in the future.
The customer in question is currently in receipt of an OFP payment and a reduced rate Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment as she is partially employed. Should the customer's circumstances remain unchanged, from July the OFP payment will no longer be assessed as means against the FIS payment, which should lead to an increase in that payment. The weekly amounts will depend on the person's unique circumstances on the date of transition and the Department will be communicating directly with each customer to outline their new entitlement in advance of July.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the amount and likely duration of child benefit payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12854/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is currently in receipt of child benefit for her two children at the rate of €135.00 per child per month.
Child benefit is paid up to and including the month of a child's 18th birthday provided the child is in full-time education. It is not payable after the month of the 18th birthday even if the child remains in full-time education. As one of her children reached the age of 18 on 12/03/2015 payment in respect of this child ceases with the March payment.
Payment in respect of her other child will continue automatically up to and including the month of his 16th birthday, provided that she continues to satisfy the qualifying conditions of the scheme. If the child continues in full time education child benefit is paid up to and including the month of a child's 18th birthday.
201. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 214 of 24 February 2015, 498 of 5 November 2013, 104 and 105 of 23 September 2014, and in view of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government figures showing an 11.5% increase in the number of young persons of 18 to 24 years of age experiencing homelessness in the nine months to January 2015, the strategy now being considered for those young persons experiencing homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12857/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rent supplement scheme provides support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are currently approximately 70,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €298 million for 2015.
The Department is also actively engaging with Tusla and non-Government organisations in providing the necessary support to vulnerable young people leaving care who are experiencing homelessness or in insecure situations. These cases are managed on a case by case basis and the payment of deposits and rent in advance is considered. This form of assistance is very important to those on low incomes who are at risk of, or who are homeless, or who rely on the private rented market to meet their housing needs.
In 2014, the Department made a total of some 3,000 payments of rent deposits/rent in advance at a cost of €1.48 million throughout the country, of which some 850 payments at a cost of over €360,000 were made to persons aged under 25 years.
The Department continues to engage in inter-agency responses to homelessness and through its work in the Homeless Persons Units in Dublin and participation on Homeless Action Teams throughout the country which provides assistance to people in sourcing the most appropriate accommodation available.
The reduced rates of jobseeker's allowance encourage young jobseekers to improve their skills and remain active in the labour market in order to avoid the risk of becoming long-term unemployed and will help them to progress into sustainable employment. Where a person is in receipt of a reduced rate of jobseeker's allowance and he or she participates in a course of education or training a higher rate of €160 applies.
In addition to the measures in place under rent supplement, the Youth Guarantee sets a medium-term objective of ensuring that all young people receive an offer of employment within four months of becoming unemployed. The main plank of the guarantee is assistance to young people in finding and securing sustainable jobs, through earlier and enhanced engagement processes. For those who do not find employment, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers are in further education or training. Others are in community-based employment programmes such as CE, Gateway and Tús, or through the JobsPlus employment subsidy for private employment.
In addition, additional places on a number of programmes and youth-oriented variants of existing schemes have been rolled out. First Steps will offer young jobseekers aged between 18 and 25 the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and training with the help of dedicated assistance from Departmental case officers. JobsPlus Youth is an expansion of the JobsPlus employer incentive scheme, and will see employers receive cash grants to assist with wage costs when they hire young people from the Live Register.
202. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the minutes of meetings held between her Department and the Department of Finance pertaining to the Universal Retirement Savings Development Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12858/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Statement of Government Priorities, the Government recently decided to proceed with work to develop a roadmap for the introduction of a new, universal, supplementary workplace retirement saving scheme. The Universal Retirement Savings Group (URSG) has been established to consider the constituent factors involved in constructing an efficient and effective universal retirement savings system and to bring forward a recommendation in the form of a roadmap and estimated timeline for introduction.
The URSG consists of senior officials from a range of key Government departments and those public bodies with a particular responsibility and expertise in the area. Membership also includes international representatives from the UK's Department for Work and Pensions and the OECD who bring significant expertise in designing, delivering and assessing supplementary pension systems.
Two meetings of the URSG have taken place to date. As the Group is managing the deliberative process which will underpin the development of the roadmap, material relating to deliberations will be available after it has been considered by Government. In undertaking specific or specialised areas of its work programme the Group will consult with, and invite submissions from, pension's experts external to the Group. This will include establishing reference groups to utilise expertise and facilitate input from various sectorial interests such as those from the pensions industry, representatives of employers, trade unions and consumer/interest groups. The consultation process will also include an open invitation for written submissions from any parties with an interest in this area.
