Written Answers Nos. 274-295
274. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to publish details of the recent review of community employment schemes conducted by his Department; his long-term position on community employment schemes and Tús; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35769/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These include programmes such as Community Employment (CE) and Tús.
As the Deputy will be aware, CE schemes provide part-time temporary work in their local communities, including opportunities for training and development as a stepping-stone back to employment, for people in receipt of a range of social welfare payments, including those on a long-term jobseeker’s payment. The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. Tús was introduced as a direct response to the growth in the level of unemployment during the financial crisis.
These schemes help to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market. My Department is also conscious of the valuable contribution the schemes are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland.
With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register, issues such as the appropriate level of expenditure, the number of places and the criteria for participation on employment schemes, including CE and Tús, are all being considered. I hope to be in a position to bring a Memo to Government on these matters in the coming weeks and following this, I plan to publish the review. If there are any changes to be made, consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
275. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a disability allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35773/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 6 October 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 disability allowance 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
276. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35830/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 4 October 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 disability allowance 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
277. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for SWA in respect of a person (details supplied) will be finalised. [35841/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 30 November 2016. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
278. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will carry out a review of a family income supplement payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35896/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is awarded family income supplement (FIS) from 11 February 2016 to 8 February 2017 at a weekly rate of €137 as appropriate to her family size.
The rules governing the payment of FIS state that, once FIS is granted, it is payable for a 52 week period as long as the underlying employment conditions are satisfied and regardless of changes in circumstances. There are only two exceptions to this rule and these are set out in legislation. The exceptions are where there is an additional qualified child through birth/fostering/adoption and where One Parent Family (OFP) ceases due to the youngest child reaching the age threshold for that scheme.
While my Department acknowledges that the lady in question has ceased claiming OFP, this does not warrant a review of her FIS rate at present. Her entitlement to FIS will be reviewed when she is due for renewal in early February 2017.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
279. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection the total cost of the water conservation grant in 2015 and 2016; if his Department has made provision for the allocation of the water conservation grant in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35907/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is administering the 2015 Water Conservation Grant on behalf of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. As of 21 November 2016, a total of 890,098 grant applications had been submitted by householders and processed. The total amount paid to householders to date is €89,009,800. A small number of residual payments continue to be made to householders who have an entitlement to the 2015 Water Conservation Grant.
The administration and payment of this grant required the development and implementation of ICT systems, ICT infrastructure and various customer support and communications services. The total administration costs for the 2015 Water Conservation Grant to date are €5,995,762.31. These include both the once-off set-up costs and the operational costs. All costs connected with the set-up and administration of the Water Conservation Grant are being recouped from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has confirmed that the Water Conservation Grant has been suspended for 2016. No grant will be available this year (2016). Accordingly the Department of Social Protection has not made provision for the allocation of the water conservation grant in 2017. An Expert Commission has been established to make recommendations on the long-term funding of water services. These recommendations will be considered by a Special Oireachtas Committee and, ultimately, the Oireachtas will then vote on the enduring funding model for public water services into the future.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
280. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be allowed to remain on a Tús scheme. [35928/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Tús was set up to provide short-term work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. It is designed to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities of returning to the labour market. In addition, as a community work placement scheme, Tús provides valuable services to local communities.
The 12 month duration of a Tús work placement was set to reflect a number of inter-related requirements. These include the need to ensure that the limited numbers of placements available are open to the maximum number of people on the live register, that weaknesses identified in other work programmes resulting from longer duration placements are not replicated and the need to ensure that the scheme fits with the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies including Pathways to Work. The existing placement period on Tús ensures that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from the scheme and it is considered to be optimal in meeting the scheme’s objectives. Currently, there are no circumstances under which a person’s term on Tús can be extended.
With the welcome reductions in the live register, the eligibility criteria for work programmes, including Tús, will continue to be monitored to ensure that the schemes remains fit for purpose and that the eligibility conditions continue to be appropriate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Minister.
281. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35940/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The lady concerned has been in receipt of disability allowance (DA) at a reduced rate consequent on means from the 20 August 2014. An application for IP was received from her on the 28 July 2016. Her contribution record has been updated with DA credits and it has been established that she satisfies the contribution conditions for IP.
In relation to the medical conditionality for the scheme, two forms issued to her on the 21 November 2016 for completion so that her medical eligibility may be assessed. On receipt of the completed medical report forms, the IP claim will be processed as quickly as possible and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
282. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider reviewing the regulations for rent supplement for those who are in homeless accommodation in view of the costs and difficulties they face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35946/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection's role with regard to people who are homeless is mainly income maintenance. Under the social welfare system, people who are homeless and people in temporary accommodation have entitlement to the full range of social welfare schemes, including supplementary welfare allowance (SWA), subject to the normal qualifying conditions.
The primary responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with local authorities. Almost 880 homeless households have been supported under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) administered by the local authorities, of which some 650 are in the Dublin area.
As the Deputy will be aware, HAP is a key pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and will transfer responsibility for all those on rent supplement with long term housing needs to the local authorities. It is expected that HAP will be available in all local authorities in early 2017. HAP represents a significant reform of the system and rent supplement will continue to be paid to households who are already in the private rented sector but who, generally because of a loss of income through unemployment, require short term income support. Any legislative reforms to the rent supplement scheme have to be carefully considered in the context of this significant change in policy direction.
In recognition of the ongoing housing supply difficulties, my Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case policy approach in administering rent supplement that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits. To date, approximately 9,300 persons at imminent risk of homelessness have been supported through increased rent supplement payments. There has been a significant reduction in the number of cases presenting following my introduction of increased rent limits in July 2016.
I can assure the Deputy that supports to people experiencing homelessness remains a key Government priority at this time.
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a jobseekers' allowance claim will be reopened in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35948/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned made an application for Jobseeker’s Benefit on 06/07/2016. As a casual worker, he was required to submit weekly declarations of unemployment and he did so for the first three weeks, i.e. from 06/07/2016 to 20/07/2016. However, no further declarations were received and the person concerned did not contact the local Intreo Centre to explain the reason. The claim was subsequently closed on 19/09/2016.
To have the closed claim re-examined, the person concerned should make a written request to Newbridge Intreo Centre. He should submit whatever documentation he deems necessary in support of his request.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
284. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) which has been delayed without explanation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35953/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received in respect of this child on 7 April 2016. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A letter issued on 5 August 2016 outlining the decision in this case and the right to seek a review of the decision and/or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
A review of the decision was requested on 16 August 2016. Following this review the lady was notified on 18 November 2016 that the original decision was upheld.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
285. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications that have been refused for injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts since 1995 within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35991/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo applications for injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts have been received or refused since 1995 by my Department.
286. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he is taking to specifically address the still overly high rate of youth unemployment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32887/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle 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 the rate of youth unemployment continues to fall with a rate of 15.1% (30,500) in October 2016 (as estimated by CSO), compared to 15.9% (32,400) in September 2016 and a peak of over 31.1% (70,500) in 2012.
In considering these figures it is important to note that youth unemployment in most economies generally averages about twice the overall rate irrespective of the overall level of economic activity. This is because of the lower rate of youth participation in the labour market associated with higher rates of participation in education as compared to older workers. For example at an EU level youth unemployment is estimated by EUROSTAT at 18.2% as at September 2016 compared to an overall level of 8.5%. The relationship between youth and overall unemployment rates is also clear in the Nordic countries which are generally considered to be forerunners of the youth guarantee approach. For example youth unemployment in Denmark of 12% compares to overall unemployment of about 6.3%. The equivalent numbers for Norway are 10.3% and 4.1% and for Sweden are 17.4% and 6.7%. This relationship of youth to overall unemployment also holds over time - for example in January 2007 the EU youth unemployment rate stood at 16.7% compared to an overall rate of 7.6%; in Ireland the youth unemployment rate in January 2007 was 8.5% compared to an overall rate of 4.5%.
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 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).
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. The wage subsidy JobsPlus Youth is also available to employers who hire young jobseekers under 25 who were previously at least four months unemployed (JobsPlus is otherwise available to jobseekers over 25 who are at least 12 months unemployed).
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 youth unemployment and add to the substantial improvements that have already been seen over the last few years.
287. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will be in receipt of a carer's allowance payment and reimbursed all moneys owed following their successful appeal on 11 October 2016 to the refusal of their original application for carer's allowance in October 2015; and his views on the length of time it has taken his Department to process this person's application and appeal. [36065/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 8 October 2015.
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 9 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of his application. Following this review the decision remained unchanged. He was notified on 18 May 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of appeal.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 8 June 2016.
As a result of an appeals officer’s decision the application was awarded to the person concerned on 17 November 2016 and the first payment will issue to his nominated post office on 24 November 2016. Arrears for the period 8 October 2015 to 23 November 2016 were issued by cheque on 17 November 2016. The person concerned was notified on 17 November 2016 of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
288. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36068/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 19 September 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 6 October 2016 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
289. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36069/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 October 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
290. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears of disability allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36073/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 20 July 2016. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 26 October 2016 and arrears due issued to her on 12 November 2016.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
291. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a review or appeal for a person (details supplied). [36077/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 19 October 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36109/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 28 October 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 disability allowance 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
293. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an eye test examination will be granted for a person (details supplied). [36120/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Treatment benefits scheme is based on PRSI contributions; currently only PRSI paid at Classes A, E, H, or P are reckonable for this scheme. There are two main conditions to be met to qualify:
- The customer must have paid at least 260 Class A/E/H or P contributions since first starting work, and:
- The customer must have at least 39 such contributions paid or credited in 2014, the relevant tax year, (or, alternatively, as in this case, in 2010 – the relevant year when the customer turned 60).
According to the Department’s records, this customer has paid a total of 126 A/E/H or P contributions since first starting work and does not, therefore, meet the first condition above.
In both 2014 and 2010, he paid PRSI at Class S, which does not currently count towards this scheme; therefore he does not meet the second qualifying condition either.
As the customer does not meet the qualifying conditions, he is not eligible for this benefit. However if he holds a medical card, he should contact his local HSE about their parallel scheme and his possible entitlements under that scheme.
294. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for family income support. [36121/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned made an application for Family Income Supplement (FIS) on 28 July 2016.
Although his entitlement was determined promptly by my Department, there was a delay in issuing the payment due because the person in question did not provide appropriate details of his preferred payment method on the application form. My Department now has received the necessary payment details and payment of FIS due, including arrears, has issued to the person in question.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
295. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify the rules that applied in the period 1985 to 2000 for proprietary directors making PRSI contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36141/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhether a proprietary director was self-employed was determined by the work they did and the terms and conditions of their work, including the degree of control they had over their own work. Depending on the individual circumstances they could be considered employed (insurable at class A) or self-employed (insurable at class S since 1988 or class K prior to 1988). Prior to 1988, proprietary directors who were deemed self-employed made class K PRSI contributions which did not provide entitlement to social welfare benefits. PRSI for the self-employed was introduced in 1988. Since then, proprietary directors who are deemed self-employed and aged between 16 years and 66 with earnings of more than a specified amount (currently €5,000 per annum) are obliged to pay class S PRSI. This provides entitlement to a limited number of benefits, including the State pension (contributory).
I would also like to point out that Section 16 of the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013, provides that a working director with a shareholding of 50% or more in a company will be deemed to be employed under a contract for services and to be liable for PRSI class S contributions (as a self-employed person).
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
