Written Answers Nos. 438 - 451
438. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the changes being made to the social protection office in Parnell Street, Dublin 1; the plans being made for that social protection office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10266/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of all of the Department’s divisions and offices some minor and administrative changes have been decided. As the Deputy will be aware the Department continually monitors its service provision to ensure that its resources are employed in an effective and efficient manner. Most of the changes identified will not affect customers.
Some customers currently being serviced by the Parnell St Intreo Centre will be now receive services from offices within the Department’s Dublin North Division; the exact configuration of these changes is still being processed. The majority of customers in the Parnell St Intreo Centre will be unaffected by the change.
Once the final configuration of services is decided the Department will engage in the regular manner with all customers affected as well as public representatives in the areas concerned and other relevant stakeholders.
The new changes will only come into effect after customers affected by the change have been appropriately notified in advance.
I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
439. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance in County Kerry by age at 31 January in each of the years 2012 to 2017
|
Age |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
18-25 |
2,192 |
2,097 |
1,923 |
1,462 |
1,200 |
997 |
|
26-30 |
1,731 |
1,721 |
1,558 |
1,308 |
1,221 |
986 |
|
31-35 |
1,403 |
1,456 |
1,371 |
1,334 |
1,267 |
1,072 |
|
36-40 |
1,126 |
1,186 |
1,220 |
1,139 |
1,142 |
999 |
|
41-45 |
1,058 |
1,067 |
1,103 |
1,073 |
1,036 |
921 |
|
46-50 |
934 |
974 |
1,027 |
1,003 |
986 |
885 |
|
51-55 |
846 |
890 |
884 |
877 |
840 |
752 |
|
56-60 |
706 |
769 |
802 |
745 |
715 |
642 |
|
61-66 |
436 |
506 |
552 |
488 |
648 |
646 |
|
Total |
10,432 |
10,666 |
10,440 |
9,429 |
9,055 |
7,900 |
440. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff employed by his Department to process applications for schemes (details supplied). [10273/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe systems and procedures for processing applications for the schemes listed vary depending on the individual characteristics of the particular scheme. Additionally, the volume of claims and associated maintenance work varies considerably across schemes. A number of strands of information input into the process which culminate in a Deciding Officer being in a position to assess the claim and make the final decision on the application. With the exception of details of staff working on jobseekers allowance applications, the number of these Deciding Officers is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
Jobseeker schemes are administered by the Department’s divisional structure across its sixty Intreo Centres nationwide. However, the staff in this divisional structure provide a wide range of services to customers in addition to processing applications for jobseeker schemes. Therefore, it is not possible to give a definitive breakdown of the number of staff involved solely in the processing of applications for jobseekers schemes. In all, there are currently 3,456 approved posts for the divisional structure which allows the Department to provide this wide range of services locally around the country.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Scheme |
Deciding Officers Full Time Equivalents |
|
Carers Allowance and Carers Benefit |
29 |
|
Disability Allowance |
42 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
15 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
61 |
|
Free Travel |
7 |
|
Household Benefits Package |
21 |
|
Illness Benefit |
44 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
24 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
52 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
27 |
|
Widows Contributory Pension |
15 |
|
Widows Non- Contributory Pension |
1 |
|
Total |
338 |
441. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection if a back to education claim by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of their particular circumstances and the length of time they were on jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10307/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is to assist those who are distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system.
To qualify for BTEA a person has to satisfy a number of conditions. These include being a certain age and being in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time immediately before the person starts their course. The person concerned was not in receipt of a payment from the Department prior to her application and on this basis she did not qualify for BTEA.
The person concerned was advised of her right to have this decision reviewed and called to the Dunfanaghy INTREO Centre shortly after she received her letter. The claim was reexamined and the qualifying criteria and disallowance reason was explained to her at that time.
I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
442. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a public service card for a person (details supplied). [10311/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Public Services Card is issued to an individual following a robust registration process to establish and verify the person’s identity. Part of the required evidence of identity for a non-EEA national to get a Public Services Card is a current valid passport.
The person concerned claims to be unable to produce such a document at this time. Consequently, enquiries are being made with the embassy of his declared nationality to establish if and why this is so and to try to verify his identity. The person concerned will be contacted when these enquiries are complete.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
443. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify a response from his Department to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 21 February 2017 (details supplied). [10312/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) is the official source of data on the key national poverty indicators and on household and individual income. The CSO released the main results of the 2015 Survey on 1st February 2017. The report includes the measures the CSO considers most useful for the broad user community.
The consistent poverty rate for lone parents (26.2%) is on Page 9, Table 2 of the 2015 SILC results or can be found at http://www.cso.ie/multiquicktables/quickTables.aspx?id=sia12_sia20
The report does not include the breakdown to which the Deputy is referring – lone parent households by employed and unemployed persons. The CSO may, subject to capacity, produce additional analyses for SILC users. The statistics quoted – on the consistent poverty rate for lone parents at work (6.7%) – are the result of special analysis by the CSO in response to a request from Officers of Statistics in my Department and are detailed below.
|
Table 1: One Parent Families (Overall) |
2015 |
|
Consistent Poverty Rate |
26.2% |
|
Table 2: One Parent Families (At Work) |
2015 |
|
Consistent Poverty Rate |
6.7% |
Source: CSO SILC Survey 2015 (incorporating revisions for 2012-2014)
February 7th 2017
445. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 8 February 2017. 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.
446. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons who are participants on community employment and Tús schemes who are being selected for JobPath programmes are being told they have to attend even though they are participating in a labour activation programme already; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10395/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra447. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that jobseekers' participation on JobPath is restricting the ability of community employment and Tús schemes to recruit participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10396/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra448. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount Seetec and Turas Nua have been paid in 2016; the number of persons they have placed in jobs; if any of these placements include community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 446 to 448, inclusive, together.
The activation supports and services which are available to those who are long-term unemployed include the JobPath employment activation service and work experience and training schemes such as Community Employment (CE) and TÚS.
The JobPath service procured by my department provides additional resources to enable it to provide a high quality, case managed employment support service. The companies contracted to provide the JobPath service have no role or authority in relation to referrals or placements for any other activation schemes or programmes such as CE or TÚS.
Jobseekers who are already participating on a CE Scheme will not be referred to JobPath and the JobPath companies do not refer jobseekers to CE. Jobseekers can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time; this is to ensure that the best use is made of the available places and to allow the scheme and service providers time to work with the participants. However, customers who on the date of their referral to JobPath have a written offer with a start date within four weeks for CE or TÚS will be facilitated to take up the placement. Additionally, in a small number of exceptional cases, which are assessed on a case by case basis, my Department may facilitate a customer to move from one activation support to another.
The aim of the JobPath service, which is provided for jobseekers only, is to assist them in finding sustainable full-time paid employment by providing intensive individual support and assistance. It is distinct from the CE and TÚS schemes which provide part-time employment and training opportunities in local communities as a stepping stone back to employment for people on a range of Social Welfare payments including those on long term unemployment payments. These schemes do not, nor are they intended to, provide full-time sustainable employment.
The referral period for the JobPath service is typically for a year. The JobPath service was rolled out on a phased basis over the period June 2015 to July 2016; as a result the first groups of participants have only recently completed their engagement period with the service. The numbers referred initially were low but this will increase over the next few months and those who have not found suitable and sustainable employment and exited the Job Path service will have opportunities, subject to an assessment by an Intreo case officer to apply for other activation supports such as CE and TÚS.
It is important to note, that under the JobPath service, jobseekers have access to a personal adviser (PA) who works with them over two phases. The first phase, of 12 months duration, the PA provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment. The second phase starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work. During this phase the PA continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months. It will take time therefore to accumulate a sufficient number of clients (who have completed their engagement period) for complete and robust outcomes data to be available.
From 2017 onwards, my Department will publish a report on the performance of the service on a quarterly basis, with the first such report having just been published recently (17th of January).
The initial data on the impact of the service is encouraging. Employment outcome data shows that compared to people who did not take part in the service, people who availed of the service were 23% more likely to have started a job (as of October 2016). The difference appears to be more marked for very long-term unemployed customers, with those out of work for more than three years some 44% more likely to have found a job if they engaged with the service. These outcomes refer to full time jobs (over 30 hours per week) only.
Given that only a small number of customers have completed their full engagement period with the service these results can only be treated as indicative, nevertheless they are encouraging.
As the number of customers who have completed their engagement period with the service increases the department will be in a position to provide greater granularity in the reports to be published each quarter this year.
The first report (with results together with a copy of the independent customer satisfaction survey findings for both companies) is available on the department’s website at – http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/JobPath-performance-report-January-2017.pdf
JobPath is a payment by results model and all initial costs are borne by the companies. The companies are paid registration fees and job sustainment fees. A registration fee may be claimed only when a jobseeker has developed a personal progression plan. Job sustainment fees are payable for each 13 week period of sustained employment, up to a maximum of 52 weeks (i.e. 4 payments). The total payments to the JobPath companies amounted to €26.8m in 2016.
It is not intended to publish the individual payments to the JobPath companies as these are commercially sensitive and to do so would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts now in place and any future procurement that may be undertaken.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
449. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the location of drop-in community welfare clinics in County Donegal; if consideration will be given to opening a clinic in the Bunbeg and Derrybeg area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection keeps the operation of all services, including the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under regular review to ensure they continue to remain fit for purpose. The table at Appendix 1 details the CWS clinics currently operating in Donegal.
There are no plans at this time to open a clinic in either Bunbeg or Derrybeg. However, if a person is unable to travel to any of our existing clinic locations, for example due to illness, a member of staff may arrange to visit the client’s home to provide any assistance required.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
APPENDIX 1
Donegal CWS Clinics 2017
|
Clinic |
Address |
Phone |
Times |
|
Arranmore Island |
Health Centre, Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9520105 |
Last Tuesday of each month from Tuesday 28th July 2015 (depending on Ferry) 10.30am - 11.30 |
|
Tuesday: 10.30 - 12.00 |
|||
|
Ballybofey |
Navenny House, Department of Social Protection, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9130023 |
Thursday: 10.00 - 12.00 |
|
Ballybofey Rent Unit |
Community Welfare Service, Department of Social Protection, Navenny House, Ballybofey, Co Donegal |
(074) 9131154 |
Phone in - Appointment only |
|
Monday: 11.00 - 13.00 |
|||
|
Ballyshannon |
DSP Office, Beleek Rd, Ballyshannon |
(071) 9852418 |
Friday: 10.30 - 12.30 |
|
Buncrana |
Department of Social Protection, Inner Relief Rd, Ardaravan, Buncrana, Co Donegal |
(074) 9364516(074) 9364515 |
By Appointment |
|
Bundoran |
Health Centre Station Road, Bundoran, Co. Donegal |
(071) 9842449 |
Thursday: 10.30 - 12.30 |
|
Carndonagh |
Public Service Centre, Department of Social Protection, Malin Road, Carndonagh, Co Donegal |
(074) 9329484 |
Monday: 11.00 - 13.00 |
|
Monday: 11.00 - 12.30 |
|||
|
Donegal Town |
Public Service Centre, Department of Social Protection, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9724485 |
Friday: 11.00 - 13.00 |
|
Dunfanaghy |
Dunfanaghy Heath Centre, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9136750 |
Wednesday: 10.00 - 12.00 |
|
Dungloe |
Public Service Office, Department of Social Protection, Gweedore Road, Dungloe, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9559206 |
Thursday: 10.00 - 12.00 |
|
Glenties |
Primary Care Centre, Glenties, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9551659 |
Wednesday: 10.00 - 13.00 |
|
Killybegs |
Atlantic Marine HSE Office, Killybegs, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9741030 |
Wednesday: 11.00 - 13.00 |
|
Letterkenny |
Letterkenny Intreo Centre |
(074) 9194930 |
Tuesday & Thursday: 10.00 - 12.00 |
|
Lifford |
HSE Office, Coneyburrow Rd, Lifford, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9141691(074) 9141706 |
Wednesday: 11.00 - 13.00 |
|
Milford |
Public Service Centre Department of Social Protection, Milford, Co. Donegal |
(074) 9163446 |
Wednesday: 10.30 - 13.00 |
450. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending community employment eligibility to persons signing for jobseeker's credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10407/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons signing for credits only (i.e. not in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment) are not eligible to participate on Community Employment (CE) schemes. They may, however, be eligible to avail of other up-skilling opportunities, for example, through Education and Training Board (ETB) training for unemployed people. Although not eligible to receive a training allowance while undertaking the course, they may receive some support for expenses on travel, meals and accommodation.
Persons signing for credits for six months or more are also entitled to participate on ETB-run VTOS courses, subject to availability. Springboard and Skillnets courses for unemployed people, funded through the Department of Education and Skills, are also open to people regardless of their social welfare status. In addition, persons signing on for credits for 12 months or longer, over the previous 18 months, are eligible to participate on Momentum courses through SOLAS, provided that they have been actively seeking work.
Many other services are also available to people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment. For example, employment services, such as advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools, are available to people if they register with my Department’s Intreo offices regardless of their social welfare status.
The Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
451. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) for a disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10464/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 9 January 2017.
On 24 February 2017 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
