Written Answers Nos. 1- 28
1. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office will provide statistics on the number of persons at work in County Kerry, as distinct from the South-West Region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5029/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment (ILO) in the State. Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 South-West region includes Cork City and County and County Kerry. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable estimates for the County of Kerry from the QNHS as the survey is not designed to produce reliable County level data. The production of such detailed County estimates would require a large increase in sample size and, as a result, there would be a significant increase in the cost of administering the survey. There are therefore no plans to introduce these detailed County estimates from the QNHS at this time.
It can be noted that the 5 yearly Census of Population may be used to produce a range of Statistics at County level. The next Census of Population is due to be conducted on April 24th 2016.
2. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of vacancies which exist within his Department for candidates who must display competence in the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5440/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises the importance of having a number of staff fluent in and capable of providing services through Irish. A number of staff working in my Department have indicated that they have proficiency in Irish and are competent to provide service to customers in Irish to varying degrees. Indeed, my Department's Customer Charter states that customers who wish to conduct their business through Irish will be accommodated.
In accordance with Government policy, my Department's Official Languages Scheme 2016 - 2019 (under the Official Languages Act) specifies two Designated Irish Language Posts in my Department - one in my Private Office and one in the Government Press Office. Both posts are currently filled.
3. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the changes made to the farm assist scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5234/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe farm assist scheme provides support for farmers on low incomes and is similar to jobseeker’s allowance. Farm assist recipients retain the advantages of the jobseeker’s allowance scheme such as the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. The 2016 Revised Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure of almost €85 million on the farm assist scheme.
Changes introduced in Budgets 2012 and 2013 brought farm assist into closer alignment with the jobseeker’s allowance scheme’s treatment of self-employed persons. Farm families with the lowest income were least impacted by these changes as the headline rates of farm assist were maintained.
In December last all long term welfare recipients, including recipients of farm assist, benefitted from a 75% Christmas Bonus payment. All recipients of farm assist with children are benefitting from the €5 increase in child benefit rates payable from the start of this year. In addition, farm assist recipients eligible for the fuel allowance will gain from the increase of €2.50 per week, from €20 to €22.50 per week over the fuel season.
All measures introduced, including proposals relating to the farm assist scheme, are assessed and analysed in terms of the impact they have. Farm assist is kept under ongoing review from a policy and an administrative point of view by my officials. Farmers affected by the changes who will suffer a severe deterioration in their annual income can apply for farm assist, subject to satisfying the usual rules of the scheme.
4. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to upgrade the household package for the elderly and reverse the cuts to the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5254/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall concern of the Government in its Budgets has been to protect the primary social welfare rates. Expenditure on pensions at approximately €6.974 billion is the largest block of expenditure in the Department in the Estimate for 2016, representing approx. 35.5% of overall expenditure. Due to demographic changes, the Department’s spending on older people is increasing year on year. The Department had to make provision for an additional €84 million in 2016 for the increasing number of pensioners.
The household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department will spend approximately €227 million this year on the household benefits package benefitting over 419,000 customers. There are no plans to upgrade or increase payments made under the household benefits package at this time.
There have been no cuts to the State Pension in any recent budgets. In Budget 2016, I was able to announce the first increase in the basic rate of the State pension in seven years, by €3 per week. This increases the personal rate of the non-contributory pension to €222, and that of the contributory pension to €233.30. I was also pleased to announce a €2.50 increase in the rate of the Fuel Allowance, from €20 to €22.50 per week. I believe that, taken together with other changes, such as increasing the Christmas Bonus to 75% of weekly rate and increasing funding to the Free Travel Scheme, the impact of Budget 2016 has been very positive for older people.
5. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a case (details supplied) including the status of a claim under the disability allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4708/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance on 11 January 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 11 March 2016. The person was also notified of his right to a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
6. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to investigate the contribution paid by the Health Service Executive for a person (details supplied). [4711/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons employed by the Health Service Executive in a permanent and pensionable capacity prior to 6 April 1995 are insured at the modified rate of contributions, PRSI class D. The person referred to by the Deputy has been paying class D contributions with the HSE since 1990. I have no information which suggests that she was paying the wrong class of PRSI.
While class D contributors are not entitled to a State pension, they are entitled to a public sector pension from their employer. Class D contributions do not entitle a person to a State pension because the contributions are significantly less than for workers in the private sector who pay class A. The employer contribution for a class A contributor is up 10.75 percent. For a class D contributor the employer contribution is 2.35 percent.
PRSI contributions are paid into the Social Insurance Fund which is used to fund the various schemes administered by the Department.
The social welfare payments that may be covered by class D contributions, subject to the particular qualifying conditions for each scheme being met, include carer’s benefit, occupational injury benefit, guardian’s payment, and the contributory widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension.
7. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 25 November 2015, if she will expedite an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4717/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the decision to disallow Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was requested on 29th June 2015 and the person concerned was notified on 25th November 2015 that following an examination of the file the original decision was upheld.
Subsequently, the person concerned lodged an appeal along with additional medical information. The appeal was registered on the 11th January 2016. The application together with the additional information supplied with the appeal has been forwarded to a medical assessor for their professional opinion. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the case will be further examined by a deciding officer, who will revise the original decision if warranted, or alternatively, forward the case for consideration by the Appeals Office. Such reviews can take up to 12 weeks to complete at present.
8. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to prohibit hunt organisations from using the JobBridge scheme to fill roles in hunting activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4727/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra9. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to ensure that no JobBridge vacancies or internships are offered to organisations which engage in animal cruelty (details supplied) in County Waterford. [4729/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
There are a range of occupations, including those in the hunt sports sector, that some people may find objectionable for one reason or another. Other examples include aspects of the meat or fishing industry, or those related to gambling. In these cases as long as the occupation is valid, the activity is not illegal and the internship offered complies with the general terms and conditions of the JobBridge scheme the Department cannot preclude it from availing of the JobBridge.
10. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of medical assessments which were modified downwards by the deciding officer in contradiction to the original medical assessor for awards for social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4730/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra11. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why medical eligibility criteria in calculating the fixed percentage of social protection awards is not published; if she will rectify this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4731/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra12. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the application of medical eligibility criteria in determining social protection payments, with particular reference to the discretion exercised with regard to loss of faculty; if the system is sufficiently consistent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4732/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, together.
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has a cadre of medical assessors in the Medical Review and Assessment Service (MRAS) which currently comprises a Chief Medical Officer (CMO), a Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) and 25 Medical Assessors. The function involves the provision of impartial medical opinion for the guidance of Deciding Officers in determining entitlements to the various medical related schemes operated by the DSP.
Medical eligibility is a critical condition of certain DSP schemes. The Medical Assessors work in a collegiate way to ensure that best practice and professional expertise is shared and applied across all of the cases that are reviewed by them. This includes daily case conference meetings and a medical research unit to actively engage in the update of the body of medical knowledge and evidence based practice.
When conducting an assessment, the Medical Assessor does not dispute the existence of the certified cause of incapacity but rather he/she assesses the degree to which the loss of function in work-related activities, resulting from disease, mental health disorder or injury, affects the person’s ability to perform either their own job or alternative types of work. In carrying out assessments the Medical Assessor reviews any medical evidence available, e.g. GP/Specialist reports, results of investigations, X rays, MRIs, etc. and expresses an opinion based on findings. All assessments are carried out in accordance with agreed and accepted guidelines.
The medical protocols used by Medical Assessors are published on the Department’s website in the Operational Guidelines section. In addition a Statistical Report on all claim numbers is published annually and available on the Department's website.
In relation to the numbers of medical assessor opinions where the Deciding Officer took an opposite view, the following are the statistics in relation to the major schemes (for 2015):
|
New applications |
Ineligible at MA stage |
Eligible by DO |
% Eligible by DO |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
8,413 |
918 |
11% |
|
Appeal/FME Reviews |
Ineligible at MA stage |
Eligible by DO |
% Eligible by DO |
|
Carer's Allowance |
1,908 |
372 |
20% |
|
New applications |
Ineligible at MA stage |
Eligible by DO |
% Eligible by DO |
|
Illness Benefit |
1,028 |
78 |
7.6% |
|
New applications |
Ineligible at MA stage |
Eligible by DO |
% Eligible by DO |
|
Disability Allowance |
15323 |
1741 |
11.4% |
|
Appeal/FME Reviews |
Ineligible at MA stage |
Eligible by DO |
% Eligible by DO |
|
Disability Allowance |
4947 |
1272 |
25.7% |
|
New applications |
Ineligible at MA stage |
Eligible by DO |
% Eligible by DO |
|
Invalidity Pension |
4036 |
491 |
12.17% |
|
Appeal/FME Reviews |
Ineligible at MA stage |
Eligible by DO |
% Eligible by DO |
|
Invalidity Pension |
2481 |
589 |
23.74% |
In addition, the deciding officer awarded 40 DCA claims where the Medical Assessor opining was negative, representing 2% of all negative opinions.
13. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to review the cessation of payments, under the family income supplement scheme, to persons on reaching 22 years of age, given that they may continue to be full-time dependants in full-time education. [4734/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe family income supplement (FIS) is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. FIS is designed to prevent child and family poverty and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment as compared to social welfare payments. There are currently over 55,000 families with some 122,000 children in receipt of FIS. Expenditure on FIS is estimated to be of the order of €410 million in 2016.
Families on low incomes can avail of a number of provisions to social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- family income supplement (FIS) for low-paid employees with children;
- qualified child increases (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
- The back to school clothing and footwear allowance for low income families (paid at the full-time second level education rate).
Specifically in regard to the Family Income Supplement, a person who attains the age of 22 years during an academic year shall continue to be regarded as a qualified child while receiving full-time education for the duration of that academic year.
The above social welfare measures provide a level of assistance which is directly linked with a household’s income situation. I am satisfied that the social protection system currently provides appropriate assistance to families with older children who are participating in full-time education and that this support is targeted at low-income families.
14. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to reverse the decision to not allow any payment for the first six days of illness; if she is aware of the impact this has on those who do not receive sick pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4789/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness benefit, the social welfare payment in question, is funded by the Social Insurance Fund (SIF), through the payment of social insurance contributions by workers.
The SIF is central to Ireland’s system of social protection and there is a fundamental requirement that it should be protected for current and future generations. The SIF operates on a “pay as you go” basis, with the Exchequer acting as residual financier of the fund when there is a shortfall between contributions received and benefits paid.
In a difficult economic environment such as Ireland faced in the recent past, the choices facing Government in order to ensure the sustainability of the Fund were to either increase the rate of contributions or reduce benefits, and in this instance, the decision was made to increase the number of “waiting days” to qualify for illness benefit from three to six.
Many employees receive their salaries when out sick where their employers have occupational sick pay arrangements in place, but where this is not the case and employees have an income need to cover the short period until illness benefit becomes available, they can claim supplementary welfare allowance.
15. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4795/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 8 February 2016. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
16. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for an update on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick under the social protection appeals process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4815/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to partially allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
17. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the discrimination felt by many previously self-employed persons in full-time education seeking the back to education allowance; if the criteria for qualifying for this benefit need to be examined, for instance in the case of self-employed persons who begin a degree while self-employed and who then see their business fail and who are not entitled to any payment, although then technically unemployed; if the criteria should be applied to the current circumstances of applicants, as opposed to their employment position when beginning their studies, especially given that many degree programmes can be in excess of four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4841/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe student support grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills and administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) represents the primary support for persons pursuing education in Ireland. The Department of Social Protection does not offer specific supports for students pursuing third level qualifications outside of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
The BTEA is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of long-term social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study, while still maintaining their income support, subject to satisfying a number of conditions. These conditions include age and being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period of time. The participant must be pursuing certain full-time courses of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in their levels of education with reference to the National Framework of Qualifications.
18. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4846/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 9 February 2016. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
If the person in question requires financial assistance while a decision is pending, she may apply for supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
19. Deputy John Brassil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to urgently examine and expedite a review of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4870/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 14 October 2015. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 12 January 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. Subsequently, additional evidence in support of this application was received in the Department and the application is currently under review. The person in question will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as it is completed.
21. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the options available to persons who have to retire at 65 years of age but who will not qualify for a State pension until they are 66 years of age or 67 years of age after 2021, given the abolition of the State transition pension; her plans to review this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4965/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, the Deputy should note that there is no general retirement age in the State and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the standardising of State pension age for all at 66 years and the cessation of State pension transition. The State pension age will increase to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
The current provisions, which apply to someone claiming jobseeker’s benefit from a date after their 65th birthday, is that they may continue to be eligible for that payment until reaching pension age. While this is currently up to their 66th birthday, this approach will continue to extend their jobseeker’s benefit entitlement continuing for another year when the pension age rises to 67, and indeed a further year when it rises to 68 in 2028. This eligibility is of course still subject to satisfying conditions such as the ‘genuinely seeking work’ condition.
From January 2014 jobseeker activation criteria were eased for people aged 62 and over. They are still able to avail voluntarily of an array of supports, which are available from this Department if they wish to return to work, training or education. However, sanctions will not be applied to this cohort, should they decide they do not wish to engage with the activation process.
Special arrangements have also been made so that the majority of older people in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment will have to register with their local office only once a year and their payments will be paid directly into their bank accounts. These provisions have enabled these individuals to ease their transition into one of the jobseeker’s schemes until they become eligible for a State pension on their 66th birthday.
22. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will oversee the discontinuation of the grossly insensitive practice of charging parents for birth and death certificates in respect of stillborn infants or infants who die soon after birth; if she accepts that this is ultimately her responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5012/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA stillborn birth or the death of an infant soon after birth is a very sad event for the parents and extended family and I am very aware of the suffering and heartbreak that the death of a newborn or a stillbirth brings on the family.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the day to day running of the Civil Registration Service and monies generated by the HSE for this service are used to offset the cost of providing the service.
The fee for a copy of an entry (e.g. birth/death/stillbirth certificate) from the registers maintained by An tÁrd-Chláraitheoir is prescribed by regulation made by the Minister under section 61 of the Civil Registration Act 2004.
The fee for such a certificate is currently set at €20 as set out in the Civil Registration (Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnership) (Fees) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 502 of 2015) which came into force on 10 November 2015.
Where a certificate is required for Social Welfare purposes it may be purchased at a reduced cost.
23. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the impact of dramatic increases in insurance premiums on community employment schemes; if she will address this through additional supports for these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5048/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has become aware in recent times of increases in insurance premiums for Community Employment (CE) schemes. In the first instance, the Department recommends that schemes seek alternative quotes to ensure they get value for money. In this context, schemes are asked to be especially mindful of their obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
Insurance premium costs are reimbursed from the CE materials budget. While the Department is not in a position to allocate additional monies to the materials budget in 2016, if there is a scheme experiencing particular difficulties, the sponsor should contact their local DSP office and the matter will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
25. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the family income supplement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5064/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 8 March 2016 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
26. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a water conservation grant will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Louth who is a member of a private water scheme and who has registered with Irish Water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5072/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe eligibility criteria for the Water Conservation Grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Under regulation 5(1) a person who registers with Irish Water, as required under section 5(2)(a) of the Water Services Act 2014, on or before 30 June 2015 shall be eligible to receive the grant in 2015 if they were normally resident at the principal private residence on that date.
To date Irish Water has transferred details of over 1.3 million registered households to this Department including the details of the person concerned. A letter issued to the person concerned at the address given inviting them to apply for the grant before the deadline of 8 October 2015 and advising them that they could make this application either online or with the assistance of the Water Grant Support Team by telephone. Statutory Instrument 434 of 2015 provided for the extension of the deadline for the submission of a completed application for the Water Conservation Grant to the Department of Social Protection from 8 October 2015 to 22 October 2015. However, there is no record of the person having applied for the grant prior to the closing date.
27. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a water conservation grant will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Louth who is a member of a private water scheme and who has registered with Irish Water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5073/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe eligibility criteria for the Water Conservation Grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Under regulation 5(1) a person who registers with Irish Water, as required under section 5(2)(a) of the Water Services Act 2014, on or before 30 June 2015 shall be eligible to receive the grant in 2015 if they were normally resident at the principal private residence on that date.
To date Irish Water has transferred details of over 1.3 million registered households to this Department including the details of the person concerned. A letter issued to the person concerned at the address given inviting them to apply for the grant before the deadline of 8th October 2015 and advising them that they could make this application either online or with the assistance of the Water Grant Support Team by telephone. Statutory Instrument 434 of 2015 provided for the extension of the deadline for the submission of a completed application for the Water Conservation Grant to the Department of Social Protection from 8th October 2015 to 22nd October 2015. However, there is no record of the person having applied for the grant prior to the closing date.
28. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide data showing the percentage of persons working in construction who are members of an occupational pension scheme; the initiatives in place to increase pension coverage in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5086/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection does not maintain specific data showing the percentage of persons employed in construction who are members of an occupational pension scheme.
However, I can confirm that according to a Central Statistics Office Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) on pension provision published on 21 April 2011, the rate of persons in construction related employment with either an occupational pension, a personal pension or both and aged 20-69 was 44% in the final quarter of 2009.
Two large pan-industry schemes, the Construction Workers' Pension Scheme (CWPS) and the Construction Executive Retirement Savings (CERS), currently have in the region of 20,000 active members. However, it is important to note that company employees, contractors and the self-employed who identify themselves as working in the construction sector may avail of a range of vehicles for retirement provision such as occupational pension schemes including small self-administered pension schemes or personal pensions such as PRSAs or Retirement Annuity Contracts and membership numbers would not be included in these CWPS figures.
In January 2015 a cross departmental Universal Retirement Savings Group was established to develop a roadmap and timeline for the introduction of a new, universal, supplementary workplace retirement saving scheme. Such an employment based defined contribution scheme would increase coverage across all employment sectors including construction and will have particular focus on lower-paid workers.
