Written Answers Nos. 166-175
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the fluctuation in the number of persons in receipt of long-term unemployment benefit and jobseeker's allowance in each of the past eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29181/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and jobseeker's allowance for 12 months and over in each of the past eight years is detailed in the table.
Long-term Live Register registrants by scheme, 2008-2016
|
Year |
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
Change over previous year -Jobseeker’s Allowance |
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
Change over previous year -Jobseeker’s Benefit |
|
Sep-16 |
157,353 |
|
2,196 |
|
|
2015 |
170,607 |
-7.6% |
2,094 |
-44.0% |
|
2014 |
184,601 |
-6.6% |
3,737 |
-50.5% |
|
2013 |
197,702 |
-1.9% |
7,546 |
-41.9% |
|
2012 |
201,434 |
+6.1% |
12,994 |
-19.3% |
|
2011 |
189,830 |
+20.5% |
16,095 |
-17.6% |
|
2010 |
157,530 |
+70.3% |
19,537 |
+62.3% |
|
2009 |
92,525 |
+67.0% |
12,038 |
+38.2% |
|
2008 |
55,397 |
|
8,709 |
|
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of cases that are pending a decision in respect of an application for domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29182/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 2,294 applications for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) pending a decision.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will improve the respite care grant in the course of the forthcoming Budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29183/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to empower and support carers in their caring role through its payment of the Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) formerly known as the Respite Care Grant (RCG). The name was changed from the Respite Care Grant to the Carer’s Support Grant in Budget 2016 to ensure that carers are empowered to use the grant in a manner that suits their individual circumstances, which may include providing for a respite from their caring duties.
The grant is paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, and Domiciliary Care Allowance. Other people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment but who are providing full time care and attention are also eligible and can apply for the grant to a stand-alone CSG section. The stand-alone grant is not subject to a means test. The grant is paid annually on the first Thursday in June. It is expected that in excess of 90,000 grants will be paid in 2016 at an estimated cost of €157.6 million.
Total expenditure to carers (Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Carer’s Support Grant) increased from just under €752 million in 2010 to over €877 million in 2015. This represents an increase of €125 million or 16.6 %. The estimated expenditure on these schemes for 2016 is in excess of €911 million.
Any consideration to change the CSG would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reduce the waiting time for determination of applications for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29184/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
The average waiting time for new carer's allowance (CA) applications at the end of September was 14 weeks as compared to 22 week at the start of June. At the end of September, those on hand awaiting a decision was reduced from over 6,300 to 4,146.
The volume of CA claims on hands are a consequence of continued strong claim intake and the delays in processing are frequently caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
As the numbers of new application continue to increase, the position is being closely monitored and kept under review by the Department with appropriate responses provided.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If the Deputy has any particular ongoing cases he can contact my Policy & Parliamentary Advisor in my office.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the average length of time for determination of appeals in respect of social protection payments; if his Department will reduce such waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29185/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average appeal processing time for appeals determined in 2015 and to date in 2016 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the tables.
Significant effort and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeals process in recent years resulting in a marked improvement in overall appeal processing times. The average time taken to determine an appeal requiring an oral hearing reduced from 52.5 weeks in 2011 to 25.5 weeks in 2015 and the average time taken to finalise an appeal decided by way of a summary decision dropped from 25.1 weeks in 2011 to 18.1 weeks in 2015. This downward trend in overall appeal processing times has continued to date in 2016 to 24.3 weeks for an oral hearing and 17.7 weeks for a summary decision.
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.
The Chief Appeals Officer assures me that appeals processing times are continuously monitored and that, although significant progress has been made in recent years, continued improvement in this area remains a priority.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/12/2015
|
Average processing times (weeks) - Summary Decisions |
Average processing - times (weeks) - Oral Hearings |
|
|
Blind Pension |
21.1 |
30.7 |
|
Carers Allowance |
20.6 |
25.9 |
|
Carers Benefit |
19.7 |
21.8 |
|
Child Benefit |
24.8 |
34.7 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15.8 |
21.4 |
|
Illness Benefit |
26.3 |
33.1 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
25.7 |
43.4 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
21.7 |
28.7 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
19.7 |
26.2 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
16.2 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.0 |
28.6 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
65.7 |
26.0 |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
- |
22.6 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
19.4 |
27.7 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
26.2 |
28.4 |
|
Liable Relatives |
22.8 |
31.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
22.6 |
17.5 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
22.9 |
33.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
26.0 |
46.0 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
20.4 |
30.8 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
80.1 |
53.4 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
20.3 |
35.0 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.7 |
35.3 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
41.2 |
51.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
18.2 |
27.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.7 |
31.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
15.8 |
26.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
15.2 |
21.9 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
- |
46.1 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
14.1 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
12.9 |
21.3 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
21.0 |
30.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
14.3 |
21.2 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
15.0 |
- |
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.9 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
21.2 |
23.6 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
47.6 |
69.4 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
13.1 |
23.5 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
24.1 |
46.6 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
23.7 |
38.3 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
18.4 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
18.1 |
25.5 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
Appeal processing times by scheme 01/01/2016 – 30/09/2016
|
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
|
Blind Pension |
18.5 |
33.8 |
|
Carers Allowance |
18.2 |
22.2 |
|
Carers Benefit |
17.2 |
21.9 |
|
Child Benefit |
23.2 |
41.1 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15.0 |
20.4 |
|
Illness Benefit |
28.4 |
34.0 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
27.9 |
32.2 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
24.0 |
29.9 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
8.9 |
37.6 |
|
Farm Assist |
19.8 |
22.7 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
14.7 |
- |
|
Liable Relatives |
14.8 |
- |
|
Family Income Supplement |
17.5 |
24.1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
23.8 |
29.8 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18.7 |
22.6 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
21.7 |
33.0 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.8 |
44.3 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
23.3 |
32.9 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
67.7 |
40.5 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
23.6 |
30.2 |
|
Disablement Pension |
21.6 |
27.5 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
27.7 |
53.8 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
16.2 |
23.4 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.4 |
21.9 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
16.6 |
25.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
15.9 |
20.2 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
21.8 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
21.4 |
26.4 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
33.2 |
29.2 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
15.3 |
23.7 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
18.6 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
17.0 |
24.4 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
37.9 |
88.9 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
14.7 |
25.4 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
17.0 |
28.8 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
18.0 |
26.1 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
23.0 |
63.8 |
|
All Appeals |
17.7 |
24.3 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on youth unemployment and long-term unemployment; if his Department will continue to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29186/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle long-term unemployment and youth unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery through effective policies. In doing so it is hoped to promote competitiveness and productivity.
Reflecting the impact of government policy, and the overall improvement in the labour market, both long term unemployment and youth unemployment continue to fall.
The long-term unemployment rate peaked at 9.5% in Q1 2012 before falling to 4.4% in Q2 2016. At the latter date, the long-term unemployed accounted for 51.1% of all those unemployed, down from almost 65% in early 2012. The number of long term unemployed in Q2 2016 was 95,900; this compares to 204,300 in Q1 2012.
Youth unemployment continues to fall with a rate of 15.9% (32,400) in September 2016 (as estimated by CSO), compared to 17.0% (35,200) in August 2016 and a peak of over 31.1% (70,500) in 2012.
Although the labour market situation is improving considerably as the recovery continues, the Government recognises the importance of a continued focus on measures to facilitate long-term unemployed and young unemployed people find and sustain employment. This is the rationale behind the Government’s Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy (published January 2016) and the Youth Guarantee plan (published January 2014).
A range of measures were introduced under previous Pathways to Work strategies for long-term unemployed people. This included a structured process of engagement with long-term unemployed people being referred to the activation process (Group Engagement followed by regular one-to-one case officer contact); wage subsidies in JobsPlus; the roll-out of a payment-by-results contracted employment services in JobPath, to provide additional capacity in order to engage more systematically with long-term unemployed jobseekers; and reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on a range of Further Education and Training (FET) and public employment programmes. A core focus of Pathways to Work 2016-2020 is on consolidating and improving the quality and consistency of reforms undertaken in previous strategies, with continued prioritisation of those long-term unemployed.
The key objective of Ireland’s policy response to the EU Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee is to help newly unemployed young people find and secure sustainable jobs. In this regard there is monthly engagement by case officers with young people to assist them to prepare, review and, if appropriate, revise personal progression plans. Where young people do not find work relatively quickly, additional supports may be offered, both through reserved places on existing employment and training schemes and through youth-specific measures. Most such offers (over 70%) are in existing further education or training programmes. Others are in existing community-based employment programmes such as CE, Gateway and Tús. Overall, over 19,100 opportunities were taken up on the relevant programmes in 2015 (see Table 1 attached to this reply).
Pathways to Work 2016-2020 continues to prioritise these measures for the young unemployed and further commits to a number of additional measures. These include increasing the share of workplace-based interventions for youth unemployed; ensuring that monthly engagement, at a minimum, is consistently applied and maintained; restructuring the First Steps programme; and implementing the Defence Forces Skills for Life programme.
I am confident these measures, and continuing economic recovery, will support further reductions in long term unemployment and youth unemployment and add to the substantial improvements that have already been seen over the last few years.
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the replacement of one-parent family allowance has adequately addressed the issues arising with particular reference to the need to maintain an adequate payment in the household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29188/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department estimates spending €500 million on the one-parent family payment scheme in 2016. The scheme supports almost 40,800 lone parents and over 73,500 children. In addition to this, my Department estimates spending €177 million on the jobseeker’s transitional payment scheme in 2016. The scheme supports almost 15,000 lone parents.
The aim of the reforms to the One-Parent Family Payment is to better engage with lone parents to assist in the transition from welfare into employment. Research shows that being at work reduces the at-risk-of-poverty rate for lone parents by three-quarters, highlighting that the best way to tackle poverty among lone parents is to assist them into employment.
Access to my Department’s Intreo service is critical in achieving this outcome. Lone parents who transition to jobseeker’s transition or jobseeker’s allowance have access to a Case Officer who assists them in producing a personal development plan. This tailored plan helps access appropriate education, training and employment support opportunities based on their individual circumstances and requirements.
The final phase of the one-parent family payment age reforms were introduced on 2 July, 2015 bringing maximum age of the youngest child for receipt of the one-parent family payment to 7 years for all recipients. Approximately 25,500 customers transitioned from the one-parent family payment scheme on that day. The majority of customers transitioned to the jobseeker’s transitional payment, the jobseeker’s allowance payment and the family income supplement.
I acknowledge that this did result in a reduction in payments for some lone parents who were working while receiving benefits.
On foot of the measures for lone parents contained in budget 2016, a lone parent on the jobseeker’s transitional payment working 15 hours at the national minimum wage saw an increase in their overall income of just over €28 per week (or over €1,450 per annum) from approximately €306 in 2015 to €334 in 2016. This is as a result of the budget measures and the increase in the national minimum wage.
My Department’s social impact assessment of budget 2016 found that employed lone parents experienced an increase of 2% in their household income while unemployed lone parents experienced an increase of 1.8%. The cumulative impact of budgets 2015 and 2016 also shows that budgetary policy increased the average household income of employed lone parents by 2.8%. This compares favourably to an average household increase of 2%.
The latest Quarterly National Household Survey for quarter 2 2016 contains information in respect of employment rates by family composition. In the year to the end of June 2016, the number of lone parent families who were in employment increased significantly by 3.6 percentage points to 56.4%. This represents four times the increase of all adults with children in employment over the same period. Interestingly lone parents whose youngest child is aged between 6 and 11 years of age experienced the single largest increase in employment. Over the year the percentage of these lone parents in employment increased by 7.5 percentage points to 57.2%.
The magnitude of the increase for lone parents specifically, many of whom would have been affected last in July 2015 by the reforms, is clearly significant and cannot be dismissed.
174. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if a use it or lose it by year end rule is or has been in operation within his Department when devolving funding to agencies under his remit on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29202/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has 2 agencies under its remit:
1. Citizens Information Board
2. Pensions Ombudsman
In the case of the Citizens Information Board, funds are drawn down as required on a monthly basis over the course of the year based on projected expenditure, which is closely monitored by the Department. If the full allocation is not required in any given year, funds will not be drawn down and there will be an under-spend in that year.
Expenditure for the Pensions Ombudsman is charged based on vouched expenditure.
175. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of any discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and the British Foreign Secretary, in relation to the need for the British Government to release files and papers pertaining to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings; if he has informed the members of the British Government that motions were passed by Dáil Éireann in 2008, 2011 and 2016 requesting the British authorities to provide access to all relevant documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29012/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDealing with the legacy of the past relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland is a major priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government. This commitment is reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government, which makes specific reference to the Dublin Monaghan bombings.
The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings adopted in this House on 25 May has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the bombings.
The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these all-Party Dáil motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government. The Taoiseach raised the issue with Prime Minister May at their first meeting in July, emphasising the Government’s continued support for the Dáil motions. I have also raised the matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, in each of our contacts since his appointment including at our most recent meeting in Dublin on 13 September.
In doing so, I have advised Secretary of State Brokenshire that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin Monaghan atrocities. I have also underlined to the Secretary of State that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and indeed this House, and emphasised the urgent need for a response from the British Government.
Secretary of State Brokenshire has acknowledged the importance that the Government and Dáil Éireann attach to this case, but indicated that the British Government is still considering how it could respond in a way which would adequately address the motions and be consistent with its obligations.
The Government will continue to raise this matter with the British Government, urging them to provide a satisfactory response to the motions that have been adopted by this House. The Deputy may also be aware that this matter was discussed at the recent meeting between the Taoiseach and Party Leaders in Dáil Éireann.
There are of course many families throughout these islands and beyond who continue to deal not only with the awful pain of losing a loved one, but also with the struggle for answers decades after these traumatic events. Accordingly, the establishment of a new comprehensive framework for dealing with the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement, is a priority for the Government.
I am continuing to engage with the Secretary of State and with the Northern Ireland Executive and other parties in Northern Ireland, to see how we can to find a route to a final agreement on legacy issues. There remain a number of outstanding issues, but there is an urgent need to achieve progress, so that the institutions can be established and start working to meet the needs of victims and survivors and support broader societal healing and reconciliation. I am therefore working to secure the necessary political agreement to get the legacy bodies established and up and running as soon as possible.
