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Friday, 16 Sep 2016

Written Answers Nos. 789 - 816

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (789)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

789. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied). [25932/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 5 July 2016.

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 12 September 2016 and the first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 15 September 2016.

Arrears of allowance due from 7 July 2016 to 14 September 2016 will also issue.

The person concerned was notified on 12 September 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Offices

Ceisteanna (790)

John Curran

Ceist:

790. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will re-examine a decision made by his Department not to open and establish a social protection office in Lucan, County Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25952/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the plan for the roll-out of Intreo Centres, the Lucan/Adamstown and Clondalkin areas were originally designated by the Department for the provision of Intreo services in Dublin Mid-West.

The Office of Public Works explored options in both Lucan and Adamstown for an Intreo Centre for a period of time, but given the limited choice of suitably sized and located offices, this process failed to identify any suitable sites or buildings for the provision of an Intreo service.

Clients from Adamstown/Lucan currently sign in the Clondalkin Intreo Centre. Customers also travel to Clondalkin for community welfare services; however, the introduction of an email/postal/phone service minimises the need for customers to travel to Clondalkin. A call out/home visit service also is available for customers who are unable to travel. Similar arrangements have been put in place in respect of the Departments’s Inspectorate.

In light of the difficulty in identifying a suitable site/building and in light of the completion in 2015 of the Clondalkin Intreo Centre, which included an extension into the adjoining and former Motor Tax Office; the need for a new office in the Lucan – Adamstown area was re-examined.

The Department believes that the scale of the operation in Clondalkin is capable of serving the population catchment of the Lucan-Adamstown area. The Department has no plans for an Intreo Centre in Lucan-Adamstown at the present time but the service will be monitored on an on-going basis to ensure that any negative impact on customers is minimised.

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Ceisteanna (791)

John Brady

Ceist:

791. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the situation where a person (details supplied) has been penalised for returning to education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25971/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Illness Benefit is a payment for persons who are incapable of work and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The rate payable on illness benefit claims depends on a person's average reckonable weekly earnings in the governing contribution year.

The person concerned is in receipt of illness benefit from 25 June 2016 and their rate of payment is based on their earnings in the 2014 governing year. There are nil earnings recorded for the person concerned in 2014. The corresponding current rate of illness benefit payable for a person with nil earnings is €84.50 per week.

The person concerned has applied for disability allowance, this application is currently being processed by my department.

If the person concerned is unable to meet their needs or the needs of their household, they may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance and should contact my department's community welfare services at their local Intreo office.

VTOS is operated through local Education and Training Boards and for further information on this matter the person concerned should contact the local VTOS centre.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (792)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

792. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme which is under appeal. [25976/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 29 August 2016 who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

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 on social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (793)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

793. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a disability allowance is not being paid in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will expedite this case. [25978/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that the person in question had her disability allowance claim suspended for a period of time. The claim has now been reinstated with effect from 2 September 2015. The first payment will issue by her selected payment method on 21 September 2016.

Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (794)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

794. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme will be approved immediately. [25979/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 12 May 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 17 August 2016.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal was registered. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant departmental papers and comments by, or on behalf of, the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. This process has been carried out and the claim has been referred to the Appeals Office who will make a summary decision based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (795)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

795. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26007/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accordance with Social Welfare Regulations a claim to Illness Benefit should be made within six months of the commencement of the incapacity. If a claim is made outside this period it can only be considered for payment where the delay in claiming was due to either information received from my Department or the claimant being so incapacitated as to be unable to claim in time.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of illness benefit in respect of work incapacity which commenced on 28 June 2016.

On 3 August 2016 the person concerned informed the Department that they also had been incapable of work during the period from 5 October 2015 to 7 February 2016 and sought payment for this period. A deciding officer held on 8 September 2016, in accordance with the regulations governing late claims, that payment could only be made from 6 months prior to the receipt of the claim i.e. from 3 February 2016.

This decision has been appealed. The case, including medical evidence received, has been referred for review to the Medical Assessor. On receipt of the Medical Assessors opinion, a deciding officer will again review the case. If the deciding officer upholds the decision, the case will then be referred to the independent Appeals Office for consideration.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (796)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

796. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26010/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 3 June 2016.

CA is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged self-employment outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

As the person concerned is a self-employed farmer, the application has been referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Personal Public Service Numbers

Ceisteanna (797)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

797. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide details of a PPSN number to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26016/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned can obtain his Personal Public Service (PPS) Number by calling to the Department’s Local Office at Park Court, Beech Road, Killarney. Once his identity has been verified, he will be provided with his PPS Number.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. Please do contact my Parliamentary Adviser in my office if you require further assistance with this query.

Question No. 798 answered with Question No. 668.

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Ceisteanna (799)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

799. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the practice of moneys owed being refunded through electronic payments on a system that is not capable of transferring to post office or credit union accounts; and if he will revert to cheques until this is rectified. [26049/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My department makes electronic payments through its banking services provider and the Single European Payment Area (SEPA) system. The department can make payments to any SEPA reachable account within the European Economic Area. SEPA accounts must have an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and be directly or indirectly linked to the SEPA system. Currently 185 Credit Unions are able to receive SEPA payments and my department will make payments to accounts in these Credit Unions, as appropriate and as requested by a customer. I understand that An Post accounts are not SEPA linked and therefore direct electronic credit transfers cannot be made to an account in An Post. Cheques for refunds can be made available in circumstances where there is no alternative.

If the Deputy wishes to advise me of the detail of the particular circumstances which have given rise to the query I shall ask my officials to investigate further.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (800)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

800. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since included the date it became vacant for State Boards or governing bodies under his control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a short-list provided to him by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under his control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26089/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a Board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal. Appointments to the boards of these bodies are made in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, published in November 2014.

The information sought by the Deputy relating to appointments I have made to State boards as Minister for Social Protection are set out in the following table:

Name of Agency or Board

Vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016

Vacancies that have arisen since 26 February 2016

Names of Appointees since Government was formed

Number of positions advertised on PAS

If short-list provided by PAS to Minister

Number of appointments approved by Cabinet

Number of positions not subject to the PAS system

Citizens Information Board

8

No additional vacancies since 26 February 2016

Dr. Joanne McCarthy

7

Yes

N/A *

1 **

Cearbhall O’Meadhra

Yes

N/A*

John Saunders

Yes

N/A*

Niall Mulligan

Yes

N/A*

Ian Power

Yes

N/A*

Mary Higgins

Yes

N/A*

Tina Leonard

Yes

N/A*

The Pensions Authority

Nil

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Pensions Council

Nil

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Social Welfare Tribunal

Nil

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

*Not required to be approved by Cabinet. Legislation provides for appointments to the Board of the Citizens Information Board by the Minister for Social Protection.

** Arrangements are underway for the filling of this vacancy in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, published in November 2014.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (801)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

801. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of disability allowance received a review form from his Department despite the fact this person has a lifelong illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26093/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66 years. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical examination, a means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

The department is required to carry out periodic reviews to confirm that recipients continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of the scheme. A review of the continued medical eligibility of the person concerned is under way. To this end, the person in question has been asked to complete a questionnaire. He may also submit further medical evidence to be taken into account before a decision is made. The claim will be reviewed and he will be informed of the outcome and/or of any further actions the department intends to take. It is important to note that no decision as to his continued eligibility has yet been made and that payment of DA will continue during this review process.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (802)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

802. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of Disability Allowance received a review form from his Department despite the fact this person has a lifelong illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26094/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66 years. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical examination, a means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

The department is required to carry out periodic reviews to confirm that recipients continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of the pension. A review of the continued medical eligibility of the person concerned is underway. To this end, the person in question has been asked to complete a questionnaire. He may also submit further medical evidence to be taken into account before a decision is made. The claim will be reviewed and he will be informed of the outcome and/or of any further actions the department intends to take. It is important to note that no decision as to his continued eligibility has yet been made and that payment of DA will continue during this review process.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (803)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

803. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants who received for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in 2016 to date; the total number granted or refused the allowance; the total number who have appealed the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26104/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of school clothing and footwear when children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €38.8 million for the scheme in 2016.

Similar to arrangements in previous years, the majority of BSCFA payments to just over 108,000 families in respect of approximately 193,000 children were fully automated with no application form required. The total amount paid to these families was some €27 million and payment issued the week ending 15 July 2016.

Families who did not receive an automatic payment are required to make an application to my Department. Approximately 52,300 applications have been received of which over 33,600 have been processed and finalised with payments awarded to some 28,800 families.

Some 4,800 applicants have had their application disallowed, because they do not satisfy all of the qualifying conditions of the scheme. Of the total cases disallowed, 715 applicants have requested a review of the decision. Of the reviews carried out to date, the decision was made to award payment in 130 cases and to disallow in 126 cases.

The scheme remains open to applicants until end September 2016.

Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times

Ceisteanna (804)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

804. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time in 2016 for a decision in respect of all social protection payments in tabular form; the average waiting time for appeal for each of these where there is no oral hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26105/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested (where available) by the deputy is detailed in the following table:

Social Welfare claims by average waiting times 31 August 2016

Scheme

Average Waiting Time

(weeks)

Jobseeker's Benefit

1

Jobseeker's Allowance

2

One-Parent Family Payment

5

State Pension Contributory (Dom)

8

Widow’s, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension

1

Widowed Parent Grant

1

Living Alone/Island Allowances

N/a

State Pension Non-Contributory

14

Household Benefits

2

Free Travel

2

Domiciliary Care Allowance

16

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

1

Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA)

2

Child Benefit (EU Regulation)

32

Treatment Benefit

N/a

Maternity Benefit

N/a

Family Income Supplement (New)

3

Family Income Supplement (Renew)

N/a

Carer's Allowance

17

Disability Allowance

14

Invalidity Pension

11

Illness Benefit

1

Occupational Injury Benefit

N/a

The average waiting time for appeals determined summarily in 2016 broken down by scheme area is set out in the following table.

The dramatic increase in appeal receipts as a result of the economic downturn put significant pressure on the appeal system and impacted adversely on processing times. Appeal receipts peaked in 2012 at 35,500 from an average of 15,000 per year and have reduced annually thereafter to just below 25,000 in 2015.

Significant effort and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeals process in recent years, resulting in a marked improvement in processing times, with the average time taken to finalise a summary appeal dropping from 25.1 weeks in 2011 to 18.1 weeks in 2015, and to 17.6 weeks to date in 2016.

The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time lags involved. However the system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information at all stages. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which require a high level of judgement, and the need to ensure due process and natural justice.

Appeal processing times by scheme 01/01/2016 – 31/08/2016

Average processing times (weeks)

Summary Decisions

Blind Pension

18.5

Carers Allowance

18.3

Carers Benefit

17.9

Child Benefit

22.5

Disability Allowance

15.0

Illness Benefit

28.1

Partial Capacity Benefit

31.3

Domiciliary Care Allowance

23.8

Deserted Wives Benefit

8.9

Farm Assist

19.9

Bereavement Grant

14.7

Liable Relatives

15.4

Family Income Supplement

16.3

Invalidity Pension

26.1

Maternity Benefit

17.7

One Parent Family Payment

19.8

State Pension (Contributory)

26.0

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

24.1

State Pension (Transition)

67.7

Occupational Injury Benefit

22.3

Disablement Pension

21.1

Incapacity Supplement

7.7

Guardian's Payment (Con)

15.8

Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)

18.4

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)

16.4

Jobseeker's Allowance

15.5

BTW Family Dividend

22.0

Jobseeker's Transitional

20.6

Recoverable Benefits & Assistance

33.8

Jobseeker's Benefit

15.4

Treatment Benefit

18.6

Respite Care Grant

17.2

Insurability of Employment

38.7

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

14.9

Survivor's Pension (Con)

17.3

Survivor's Pension (Non-con)

18.0

Widows Parent Grant

23.0

All Appeals

17.6

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Ceisteanna (805)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

805. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans, if any, to extend the homemaker scheme prior to 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26106/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The State pension (contributory) SPC is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement. Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating pension entitlement. Once over 16 years of age, the date a person enters into insurable employment is the date used for averaging purposes. In this context, even if someone has only 10 years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they may qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances.

The home-makers scheme makes qualification for a higher rate of State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect for periods from 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age (or caring for incapacitated people over that age) to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes, subject to the standard qualifying conditions for State pension contributory also being satisfied. This has the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, which is used to set the rate of their pension.

Officials in my Department have estimated that the cost of extending the Homemakers scheme to allow people to avail of the full 20 years currently allowed under the scheme, encompassing periods prior to 1994, could cost €286m in 2017, and this figure would rise at a faster rate than the overall cost of State pensions.

Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives may not qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (806)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

806. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when the report by a person (details supplied) regarding lone parent households and commissioned by his Department will be released; the date the report was first commissioned and submitted to his Department by the author; the reasons for the delay in releasing the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26107/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The report to which the Deputy refers was commissioned at the request of my Department through the Irish Research Council (IRC) in 2014. The theme, suggested by my Department, was; how best to engage and support lone parents from an activation perspective. Following the IRC tender process a proposal put forward by Dr Michelle Millar of NUI Galway was chosen by the IRC. The topic of Dr. Millar’s research is “Lone Parents and Activation, What Works and Why: A Review of the International Evidence in the Irish Context”.

This is independent research commissioned via the IRC and so my Department has no ownership over the research. The research is owned by Dr. Millar and it is her decision as to when it will be published. Our most recent correspondence with Dr. Millar indicates that she intends publishing the report in the Autumn.

Youth Unemployment Data

Ceisteanna (807)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

807. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the youth unemployment rate here; the way in which this figure compares to the European average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26108/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In July 2016, the EU28 average harmonised unemployment rate for the age group 15 to 24 was 18.8% while Ireland’s youth unemployment rate was 17.7%. Ireland’s youth unemployment rate has been below the EU28 average every month since December 2015. Ireland’s youth unemployment fell in August 2016 to 17.1%; the EU28 average for August 2016 is not yet available from Eurostat.

The Government’s primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to create the right environment for a strong economic recovery through effective policies. In doing so it is hoped to promote competitiveness and productivity. The fall in youth unemployment to date indicates that this strategy is working.

The Government recognises that as the recovery continues, there is a need for additional measures to ensure that as many as possible of the jobs created are taken up by jobseekers and young jobseekers in particular. This is the rationale behind the Government’s Pathways to Work strategy and the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan.

Within this framework, the Youth Guarantee sets a medium-term objective of ensuring that 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. In 2015 monthly engagement by case officers with the young unemployed was implemented. For those who do not find employment, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers (over 70%) are in further education or training. Others are in community-based employment programmes such as CE, Gateway and Tus, or through the JobsPlus employment subsidy for private employment.

Social Welfare Schemes Data

Ceisteanna (808)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

808. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients and cost to the Exchequer of the one-parent family payment, jobseeker's transition payment and family income supplement in 2015 and in 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26126/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The following table provides details of the average number of recipients getting a payment each week on Jobseeker’s Allowance, One Parent Family Payment and Family Income Supplement for 2015 and for 2016 up to end of August:

2015 outturn

2016 YTD end Aug 2016

Jobseeker's Allowance

expenditure (€'000)

2,742,509

1,674,371

average number receiving a payment each week

264,070

243,380

One Parent Family Payment

expenditure (€'000)

670,564

325,187

average number receiving a payment each week

55,420

41,104

Family Income Supplement

expenditure (€'000)

367,872

270,762

average number receiving a payment each week

52,390

55,789

Jobseeker’s Transition is funded from the Jobseeker’s Allowance subhead. It is not possible to disaggregate specific expenditure for Jobseeker’s Transition. At end of December 2015, there was 14,995 people claiming Jobseekers Transition, while at end of July 2016, there were 14,936 such claims.

The expenditure data for 2015 is provisional pending completion of audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The expenditure data up to end of August 2016 is also provisional and is subject to reconciliation.

Question No. 809 answered with Question No. 666.

State Pension (Contributory) Expenditure

Ceisteanna (810)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

810. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer to reform the homemakers scheme to make it more equitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26128/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The State pension (contributory) is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement. Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating pension entitlement. Once over 16 years of age, the date a person enters into insurable employment is the date used for averaging purposes. In this context, even if someone has only 10 years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they may qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances.

The home-makers scheme makes qualification for a higher rate of State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect for periods from 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age (or caring for incapacitated people over that age) to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes, subject to the standard qualifying conditions for State pension contributory also being satisfied. This has the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, which is used to set the rate of their pension.

The cost of reforming this scheme would depend on what changes were made to it. Policy options would include backdating the period from which the scheme took effect from (i.e. to an earlier date than 1994), and/or converting to a system of credits.

Officials in my Department have estimated that the cost of extending the Homemakers scheme to allow people to avail of the full 20 years currently allowed under the scheme, encompassing periods prior to 1994, could cost €286m in 2017, and this figure would rise at a faster rate than the overall cost of State pensions.

Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives may not qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Budget 2017

Ceisteanna (811)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

811. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the projects his Department is prioritising in Budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26129/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments on social protection. These include increasing pensions and the living alone allowance, protecting Free Travel for pensioners and people with disabilities, and supports a rate increase for people with disabilities and for carers. A review of the farm assist scheme has been carried out. The Programme also outlines the Government’s commitment to the development of a new working family payment to reduce child poverty and make work pay, ensuring that no family is better off on welfare than in work. This is, of course, a five year programme and everything cannot be done in one or two budgets.

The Programme also commits to extending social insurance coverage for the self-employed. We believe we need a strong consensus across society on the importance of a comprehensive social welfare system, whereby the PRSI contributions and taxation paid by all workers, including the self-employed, provide adequate, sustainable and appropriate benefits when required. I want a welfare system, and in particular, a social insurance system which responds to life’s risks such as long-term illness and unemployment.

These plans form part of the Government’s ‘new deal’ for the self-employed which will encompass tax, welfare changes and great support for entrepreneurship and I look forward to progressing these in the forthcoming Budget

I also intend to enhance the treatments available under the Treatment Benefit scheme, which was significantly cut back during the austerity years. This includes dental and optical benefits.

I hosted my Department’s Pre-Budget Forum on July 22 during which I listened to the views of representatives from 40 NGOs, advocacy and representative organisations. This was extremely useful and gave great insight into the competing priorities within the sector.

In addition, I appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection on 7 September to discuss my priorities and to listen to those expressed by my colleagues in the Oireachtas. I look forward to continued engagement with members of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.

Disability Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (812)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

812. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) to ensure their claim for disability allowance continues to be paid. [26154/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned is currently in receipt of disability allowance (DA). The department was informed that he went to Poland on 27 June 2016 and returned on 2 September 2016.

On an administrative basis, DA allows for two/three weeks holiday entitlement in any twelve month period. In all circumstances, DA recipients must inform the department that they are intending to leave the state in advance of travel. Accordingly, his DA payment was stopped from 20 July 2016 to 6 September 2016. This allows for his holiday entitlement.

DA is payable outside of the state where a person is receiving medical treatment abroad which is not available within the State and where that treatment is approved by the Health Services Executive (HSE). On 7 September 2016, this information was requested from the person concerned. On receipt of this information, a deciding officer will review his entitlement to DA for the full period.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Act Employment Targets

Ceisteanna (813)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

813. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the proactive measures his Department is taking to encouraging diversity in the workplace specifically with regard to the employment of persons with disabilities; and the legislative underpinning which exists to achieve greater workplace participation on the part of persons with disabilities. [26192/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The role of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is to ensure that workplaces are safe, employment rights are appropriate and respected, harmonious industrial relations are promoted and any disputes or breaches are handled efficiently and effectively.

My Department has a more limited role in relation to improving workplace diversity but it does provide a wide range of work related supports for people with disabilities and these supports play an important role in supporting participation by people with disabilities in the labour force. The supports include partial capacity benefit (PCB), the wage subsidy scheme, and EmployAbility (supported employment) programme.

Partial capacity benefit (PCB) was introduced in February 2012 and is designed as an income support for people on invalidity pension or illness benefit who have some capacity for work. PCB allows people to continue to receive a percentage of their illness benefit or invalidity pension payment while working. There are currently in excess of 1,600 people in receipt of PCB

The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to the private sector, which provides financial incentives to employers for the employment of people with disabilities. The purpose of this demand-led programme is to increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The number of employees participating in the scheme currently stands at over 2,000, having increased by a third over the course of 2015.

The EmployAbility programme is a national employment service dedicated to improving employment outcomes for job seekers with a disability. EmployAbility participants are people with a disability who are able to work a minimum of 8 hours per week and who need the support of a job coach to obtain employment in the open labour market. The number of active participants in the scheme is approximately 3,000.

My Department also operates a series of private sector employment supports to assist disabled people to access and progress in employment. These are now grouped under the umbrella name of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and include; the Employee Retention Grant Scheme( ERGS), the Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant (WEAG), the Job Interview/Induction Interpreter Grant (JIIG) and the Personal Reader Grant(PRGS).

Other employer supports in include the Disability Awareness Support Scheme(DASS) which assists the integration of disabled people into the workplace and helps to eliminate mistaken perceptions about them. It is available to all companies in the private sector who are interested in employing, retaining or relating to people with disabilities.

In addition my Department has, through Intreo, extended its full activation support service to people with disabilities who wish to avail of the service on a voluntary basis. As part of the DSP commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES), co-ordinated by the Department of Justice, my Department is collaborating with the HSE, Genio and Mental Health Reform in the Integrating Employment and Mental Health Support Project (IEMHS). The project aims to demonstrate how existing mental health and supported employment (EmployAbility) services can fulfil the best practice Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment through improved integration. Four pilot projects have been established in Mayo, West Cork, Cavan/Monaghan and Galway.

Other developments that will inform measures promoting participation of people with disabilities in the world of work include the publication of the Report of the Disability Allowance Survey 2015, and the formation of an interdepartmental group to examine the complex interaction between the tax, and benefit system and net take home pay, in the context of people with disabilities availing of employment opportunities. The interdepartmental working group, which is charged with considering this topic, will examine the range of barriers to employment and, conversely, supports which assist people with disabilities return to work and is expected to report by end-2016.

Local Drugs Task Forces

Ceisteanna (814)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

814. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure that his Department is centrally involved and formally represented in each Local Drugs Task Force given the key role his Department plays in activation and training. [26198/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is very committed to the ongoing support and implementation of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS). This is evidenced by the continued engagement of my officials with a number of national groups and committees, including the Oversight Forum on Drugs; the National Drugs Strategy Steering Group, the Focus Group on Continuum of Care and the National Coordinating Committee for Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces .

With regard to the issue of representation at Local Drug Task Force meetings, unfortunately due to reduced and re-structured staffing arrangements, representation on all external stakeholder groups has had to be reviewed and, in some cases, has had to be curtailed due to resource issues. Where there is a gap in representation on a Task Force, it has been agreed that relevant issues can be progressed through meetings with Drugs and Alcohol Task Force representatives and the appropriate Assistant Principal in the relevant DSP Division. Such meetings provide an ideal opportunity to focus directly on the key issues arising. In addition, where upcoming issues on a Task Force agenda are relevant to DSP business, a representative can be invited to attend the particular meeting.

In addition, the DSP Drug Stakeholders Group continues to progress the implementation of the new CE Drug Programme Framework. This Framework is designed to meet the needs of participants in recovery on CE in order to maximise opportunities for re-engagement in community and working life through training and development. Membership includes representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors and also representatives from both the Co-ordinators Network of the Regional and Local Task Forces. This Group acts as a forum to support the DSP CE response and related issues. At the end of August this year, there were 988 rehabilitation places taken up by participants in rehabilitation.

Social Welfare Offices

Ceisteanna (815)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

815. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been reached with regards to where the Macroom office for the Department of Social Protection will be situated. [26253/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An open recruitment process to fill the position of Branch Manager in Macroom will be commencing shortly and advertisements will be place in local and national newspapers in the next couple of weeks.

Each applicant will be required to submit details of the proposed premises where they will provide the agreed services for the Department at a suitable accessible and central location in the town of Macroom.

Only candidates deemed to have submitted a suitable proposal for the operation of branch office services, who have demonstrated capacity to undertake the role of branch manager and who have provided details of premises which meet the standard required for the delivery of the service, will be invited to participate in the recruitment process.

The final location of the Macroom Branch Office will not be known until such time as the recruitment process for the position of Branch Manager has been completed.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (816)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

816. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to grant all qualified adults in receipt of a pension an additional €10 on turning 80 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26266/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The over 80 allowance is an increase of €10 per week on the basic pension rate, which is automatically awarded to qualified pensioners on attaining 80 years of age. Only one such allowance is payable in respect of each pension.

An Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent (e.g., a spouse who is financially dependent upon them), who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State pension (contributory) in his/her own right.

The maximum rate of an IQA for someone over 66 is €209.00, and so in most cases where it is claimed, such couples have additional income or means above their State pension, as otherwise they would obtain a higher payment by the adult dependent making a claim to the State pension (non-contributory), which is means-tested and has a maximum personal rate of €222 weekly (plus additional allowances, such as the over-80 allowance, where applicable).

Accordingly, I have no plans to increase the rate of the IQA for people who are over the age of 80.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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