Written Answers Nos. 561-580
561. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department is now not referring persons to community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41425/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra562. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if he values community employment schemes; if there has been a change in policy within his Department to move away from these community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41426/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together.
My Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. This includes programmes such as Community Employment (CE).
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.
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.
The CE Sponsors advertise CE vacancies free-of-charge on the Department's JobsIreland website www.jobsireland.ie. There are currently over 1,000 CE vacancies advertised on the site. Posting vacancies is a relatively simple process and a dedicated video tutorial is available on the site to assist sponsors. Anyone requiring further assistance can contact my Department’s National Contact Centre by phone at Lo Call 1890 800 024 or (01) 248 1398, or by email at jobsireland@welfare.ie. Further enhancements will be made to the way in which CE vacancies are displayed on the site in the coming months.
Jobseekers can view CE vacancies online. Eligible candidates are referred to sponsors by case officers in the local Intreo Centres. My Department continues to refer candidates so I would advise sponsors who may be experiencing particular recruitment difficulties to contact their local DSP office with any concerns they may have in that regard.
With the ongoing welcome reduction in the Live Register, issues such the appropriate level of expenditure, the number of places and the criteria for participation on employment schemes, including CE are all being considered. I hope to be in position to bring a Memo to Government on these matters in the coming weeks. If there are any changes to be made to the CE scheme, consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
563. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the restoration of the State transitory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41467/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) available from 65 for those who satisfied the qualifying conditions, thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years, which is the current State pension age. This will increase to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028.
In most cases, it is hoped that workers will continue to work up to the new State pension age. Where this is not possible, there are specific measures which apply to someone claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit from a date after their 65th birthday. Where qualified, these recipients may continue to be eligible for that payment until reaching pension age.
Reversing this measure would have a significant Exchequer cost. In 2013, the cost of the State pension (transition) was €137 million. Its abolition was not expected to save that amount of expenditure in full, as some people who were affected would alternatively claim working age payments such as Jobseeker's Benefit (albeit at a lower rate than the rate of the State pension), or may claim an Increase for a Qualified Adult in respect of their spouse’s pension. However, it is anticipated that well over half of that cost has been saved each year as a result of this measure, and this would be expected to increase as (a) the number of 65 year olds increases, (b) the change results in a higher percentage of people working while aged 65, and (c) there have been two Budget increases in the rate of the State pension since then. It is estimated that the net saving in 2017 is likely to be in the region of €80 million, and this is expected to increase over time.
Each year more people are living to pension age and living longer in retirement. As a result of this demographic change, the number of State pension recipients is increasing year on year. This has significant implications for the future costs of State pension provision which are currently increasing by close to €1 billion every 5 years. The purpose of changes to the State pension age is to make the pension system more sustainable in the context of increasing life expectancy. This sustainability is vital, if the current workers, who fund State pension payments through their PRSI, are to receive a pension themselves when they reach retirement age.
The Deputy should note that there is no legally mandated retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers. While such a contract may have been entered into with a retirement date of 65, in the context of the previous State pension arrangements, there is no legal impediment to the employer and employee agreeing to increase the duration of employment for one or more years, if both parties wish to do so.
The Department of Public Expenditure & Reform is responsible for the terms and conditions of employment and pensions of public servants, including the age at which they may be required to retire. An interdepartmental group on fuller working lives was chaired last year by that department to consider policy around retirement age in both the public and private sectors and it reported in August. Any question regarding the work of that group, and the retirement age of public servants, may be addressed to the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
564. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to indicating on a disabled person's free travel companion pass that the person is allowed to be accompanied by more than one carer in the exceptional circumstances where two persons are required due to the patient's condition; and his views on the matter. [41524/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 873,000 customers with direct eligibility with an annual allocation of €80 million. The scheme is available to all people aged over 66 living permanently in the State. To qualify for the scheme, applicants who are under age 66 must be in receipt of a qualifying payment. These are invalidity pension, blind pension, disability allowance, carer’s allowance or an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by EC Regulations or one with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement.
A companion free travel pass entitles the pass holder to have any one person, aged 16 years or over, to accompany him/her free of charge when travelling. In addition to this, people in receipt of carers allowance or benefit from my Department are also entitled to a free travel pass in their own right.
There are no plans at this time to increase the number of such companions that may travel without charge under the scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
565. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection when the results of the independent customer satisfaction survey for JobPath will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41527/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe independent customer satisfaction survey referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by my Department and will provide a qualitative evaluation of the standard of service provided by the JobPath contractors. The results of the survey have been received and they indicate a high level of satisfaction with the service. It is expected to publish the full results very shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
566. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41541/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 3 November 2016. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
567. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the reason a person (details supplied) is receiving a reduced lone parents payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41567/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Person concerned has been awarded One-Parent Family Payment at the weekly rate of €57.60 with effect from 7 July 2016.
This rate is based on her Personal rate of €188 plus an additional payment of €59.60 in respect her two qualified children, from which weekly means of €190, derived from maintenance payments received, is deducted. She was formally advised of this decision by letter of 6 September 2016. This letter also advised her of her right to lodge an appeal with the independent Appeals Office, she did not take up this option.
If she is dissatisfied with this outcome and feels the decision was based on incorrect information or her circumstances have subsequently changed, it is open to her to seek a review from her local Intreo Centre. In this regard, she should contact the office directly and her request will be examined promptly.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
568. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the impact that the privatisation of JobPath has had on the local employment services in view of the possible anti-competition implications resulting from such private contracts with Turas Nua and Seetec; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41584/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department delivers the State’s employment activation service directly through the Intreo service and under contract arrangements with companies providing JobPath and Local Employment Services.
Arising from the large increase in unemployment during the recession the Department of Social Protection required additional capacity to meaningfully engage with all those who are unemployed – in particular the long-term unemployed (who need more intensive levels of engagement). Following a review of best practice in other countries and taking account of advice and recommendations from a number of expert groups and bodies (including the OECD, NESC and CESI) and a consultation process within Ireland it was decided to develop the JobPath service to increase capacity under a ‘payment by results’ contract model. This model was ‘adopted’ by the Troika and made a requirement under the Memorandum of Understanding with the EU, IMF and ECB.
Following a public procurement competition, which was open to all providers, including local employment services providers, contracts were signed on 5 June 2015 with two companies to deliver the JobPath service. The two companies, Turas Nua Ltd and Seetec Business Technology Company Ltd, provide additional employment services which augment – not replace – the Department’s own employment services. It is important to note that it is not the intention to displace existing resources or to create competition between those companies already delivering local employment services and companies delivering the new service.
As in 2016, for 2017 the Department has contracted for the provision of LES in 26 locations with 22 different contractors via a network of offices and outreach clinics. The LES will continue to support Jobseekers in parallel with the Department’s own services and JobPath.
In addition to increasing the Department’s capacity to provide services to more jobseekers, the impact of JobPath has been to enable the Local Employment Service (LES) to increase the frequency with which they engage with jobseekers and thereby enhance the quality of the services they provide.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
570. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures taken to ensure that women experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence are not adversely affected by the right to reside test and the habitual residency condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41608/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department provides a range of income supports, including the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA). This scheme is considered the "safety net" within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need. Entitlement to SWA is conditional on satisfying the habitual residence condition with some exceptions. SWA can consist of a basic primary weekly payment and/or a weekly/monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses a person may not be able to meet, including rent supplement. It can also consist of a once-off payment to help with the cost of any exceptional needs.
Under the SWA scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The scheme also provides for the payment of urgent needs payments (UNP). ENPs and UNPs, unlike other payments under SWA, are not subject to the habitual residence condition. There is no automatic entitlement to these payments which are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case, including those in a domestic violence situation, in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Where a claimant’s safety and wellbeing are at risk due to domestic violence, Department officials administering the SWA scheme have discretionary powers to expedite the award of a payment to the person in question. In cases where a victim of domestic violence does not have a right to reside, ENPs can be considered while the victim takes the necessary steps to regularise their status with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
The overall responsibility for the response to homelessness rests with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and the local authorities.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
571. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of financial assistance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41620/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the basis of new information received, relating to the EU insurance record of this person, he now has sufficient PRSI contributions recorded to qualify for treatment benefit. Notification will now be sent to him advising that he qualifies for medical appliance benefit, and that payment will issue to his hearing aid supplier.
572. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a respite care grant for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41624/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded the 2015 and 2016 Grants on 22nd December 2016. An amount of €3,075 (€1,375 for 2015 and €1,700 for 2016) was sent to her nominated bank account on 30th December 2016.
573. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to extend the length of time a person can remain on a community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41625/16]
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. This includes programmes such as Community Employment (CE).
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.
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.
A person’s participation period on CE reflects the length of time they have been unemployed, their age and previous time spend on CE. The participation limits are in place to ensure 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.
If a CE sponsor is experiencing particular recruitment difficulties, they should contact their local DSP office with any concerns they may have in that regard.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
574. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a dietary supplement allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41626/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe payment of a dietary supplement allowance in the case of the person concerned has been suspended as the person concerned has not returned the review form and all of the requested documentation necessary to complete this review. Documents were re-issued by post to the person concerned on 9 December 2016 following representations made in PQ Ref: 39602-16. There has been no further contact from the person concerned since the date of issue and as dietary supplement allowance is a means-tested payment, the review of entitlement cannot be progressed until all of the requested documentation has been submitted. On receipt of all relevant documents the review will be completed and the person concerned advised of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
575. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who has just completed a work scheme is now being forced onto JobPath, namely, through Turas Nua, noting that JobPath was initially set up to engage with those persons who are long-term unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41636/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of activation supports catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These supports include the JobPath service and employment services such as TÚS and Community Employment (CE).
TÚS is a community work placement initiative providing short-term working opportunities for jobseekers as a stepping stone back to full-time employment. TÚS placements are not full-time sustainable jobs.
The JobPath service aims to place people into full-time sustainable employment. The period of engagement with JobPath for any individual is typically 52 weeks. During that time, intensive individual support is provided to help them to overcome barriers to employment. During the year if a person is placed into a job they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to an additional twelve months while in employment.
All jobseekers are required to engage with the Department’s activation services. Jobseekers returning from schemes such as TÚS/CE/Gateway, who have not found full-time employment are considered to be long term unemployed and are available for selection for JobPath. The JobPath providers will assist the jobseeker to update their CV and further develop the skills which they acquired with CE/TÚS/Gateway, to assist them in finding full time sustainable employment.
I understand the person concerned was in receipt of a jobseekers payment from April 2012 to December 2015 when they commenced a one year placement with TÚS. The person was not successful in securing full time employment following on from this scheme, re-commenced receiving a jobseekers payment in December 2016 and was referred to the JobPath service on the 10/12/2016.
I have been informed that the person has recently applied for Illness Benefit and has been paused from the JobPath service until the doctor certifies them fit for employment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
576. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will intervene to assist a person (details supplied) to have their assessment for disability allowance recalculated in order that the person is not forced to quit their job and sign on for a jobseeker's payment which would be financially better for them compared to the current rate of their disability allowance. [41640/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a successful appeal, the person concerned was awarded disability allowance with effect from 13 April 2016. The deciding officer implemented the decision of the Appeals Officer, which included the means assessment. The Appeals Officer’s decision is final and conclusive.
Having regard to the request for review, the file will be returned to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for their consideration.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
577. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection his view on the case or a person (details supplied) regarding employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41651/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides support from the Community Services Programme (CSP) to the service provider referred to by the Deputy. Under the CSP service providers must operate community or social enterprises that are able to deliver tangible and tradable services and are capable of generating non-public revenues from their operations by way of charging fees, sales and/or fundraising.
Service providers are independent companies and are wholly responsible for the contracting and employment of staff to run their operations without interference from the Department. The service provider referred to by the Deputy has received a consistent level of funding from the CSP for the contract period 2017-2019, as for the previous contracts.
578. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to amend the qualifying contributions which are necessary to avail of the contributory pension; when these will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41675/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of payment under the State pension (contributory) scheme is related to contributions paid over the years into the Social Insurance Fund, and credited contributions where applicable. As such, those with a stronger attachment to the workforce, who have paid more into that fund, are more likely to be paid at a higher rate under that scheme than those with more intermittent contributions made during their working life.
There are a number of criteria which must be satisfied in order to qualify for a State pension contributory, whether at full or reduced level. These include that the person must be aged 66 or over, and that they have at least 520 paid contributions, i.e., a minimum of 10 years. Provided a person satisfies all the relevant conditions, they may qualify for a State pension contributory, the minimum personal rate of which is €93.20, and the maximum personal rate of which is €233.30.
Since the contributory pension was introduced in 1961, the ‘yearly average’ contributions test has been used in calculating the level of pension entitlement, where the total contributions paid or credited are divided by the number of years of the working life (from their entry into insurable employment up to the year prior to their reaching State pension age).
The National Pensions Framework (2010) proposed that a “Total Contribution Approach” (TCA) should replace the yearly average approach for new pensioners from 2020. The aim of this approach is to make the rate of contributory pension more closely match contributions made by a person. Officials of my Department are currently working on the detailed development of the TCA. It is planned that, following receipt and analysis of data from the forthcoming independent Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund, a consultation process will be conducted in the middle of this year, and following this, proposals on the final details of the scheme will be made by the Government to the Oireachtas before the end of the year.
It’s worth noting that this is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical elements in its implementation. An important element in the final design of the scheme will be the position of people who have gaps in their contribution records for various reasons, and this factor is being considered very carefully in developing this reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
579. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if the correct PRSI is being deducted from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41678/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if the correct PRSI is being deducted from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41679/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra618. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if the correct PRSI is being deducted from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41756/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 580 and 618 together.
Departmental records show to the people referred to by the Deputy has PRSI Class M contributions since 2008. PRSI Class M is a technical PRSI Class and relates to people who are not liable to make a contribution. PRSI is not chargeable on occupational pensions paid through the PAYE system and, accordingly, no deduction in relation to PRSI should be made. PRSI is also not chargeable on payments made by my Department, including disability allowance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
