Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:487. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of funding for elderly persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12852/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (487)
Freagraí scríofa
The savings arising from the initial reduction and subsequent discontinuance of the telephone allowance meant that my Department was able to retain the other valuable elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. My Department will spend approximately €232 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 425,000 customers. The cost of the telephone allowance scheme had risen significantly each year, as the number of eligible customers grew. At the end of September 2013 there were almost 396,000 receiving the telephone allowance compared to approximately 316,000 people in 2007. This was an increase of 25%, or an average increase of approx. 4% per annum.
The Government is keenly aware of the impact of Budget decisions on the Department’s clients, and strives to ensure that the money available is targeted in the most effective way. In Budget 2016, the first increase in the basic rate of the State pension in seven years was given. This increased the personal rate of the non-contributory pension to €222, and that of the contributory pension to €233.30. There was also a €2.50 increase in the rate of the Fuel Allowance, from €20 to €22.50 per week.
In Budget 2017, I announced a further increase in the rate of State pensions by €5 which now brings the maximum personal rate of the State pension (contributory) to €238.30.
Therefore, over the past two Budgets, the maximum weekly rate for State Pensions has increased by €8 per week, which is the equivalent of over €34 per month. The value of these increases is in excess of the value of the telephone allowance previously provided.
Accordingly, I have no plans to restore the telephone allowance, and have instead concentrated on increasing the basic rate of pension for all older people. Any decision to restore the telephone allowance would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has responsibility for the Seniors Alert Scheme which provides grant support for the supply of equipment such as personal alarms, smoke detectors and security lighting to enable older people without sufficient means to continue to live securely in their homes. The grant assistance is made available through community and voluntary groups registered with that Department and the equipment supplied under the scheme remains the property of the community group. Any queries in relation to the running of this scheme should be directed to the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Jobseeker's Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (488)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the recent decision to suspend jobseeker's payment with a view to reinstatement in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As per response to PQ 8884-17, payment of jobseeker’s allowance was suspended when the person concerned declared means from self-employment to an officer of the Department which when combined with means from insurable employment resulted in her weekly means exceeding the prescribed limit. Following representations in the present PQ, a further meeting was arranged with the person concerned wherein an officer of the Department undertook a review of her circumstances. Following this review the position remains unchanged.
An appeal in respect of the person concerned was received in the Ballyfermot local office on 10th March 2017. This appeal is currently being processed and the person concerned will be informed of the outcome on completion of this process.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (489)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if basic supplementary welfare will issue to a person (details supplied). [12862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Basic supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) has been refused on the grounds that the person concerned has failed to supply adequate supporting documentation to show that her means are less than the prescribed SWA rate appropriate to her circumstances.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (490)
Michael D'Arcy
Ceist:490. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford can claim under the partial capacity benefit scheme retrospectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12917/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a scheme which allows a person, who may not have full capacity for work, return to employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. To be considered for PCB a person must, at the time of the application, be in receipt of either illness benefit for at least six months, or invalidity pension. A person who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a Medical Assessor (MA) who assesses the restriction on their capacity for work. When the MA gives an opinion, the matter is then considered further and a decision is made on the case.
A person assessed with a moderate level of work incapacity gets 50% of the personal rate of illness benefit or invalidity pension by way of PCB. A person assessed with a severe level of work incapacity gets 75% of the personal rate of payment; a person assessed with a profound level of work incapacity gets the full personal rate of payment. Increases in respect of a dependent spouse/partner and qualifying children are paid in full.
The person concerned is not currently in receipt of one of the qualifying payments for receipt of PCB and, therefore, cannot be considered for PCB at present. The retrospective award of PCB is not allowed.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (491)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:491. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a renal diet allowance was reduced by €5 a month in respect of a person (details supplied); and if it will be restored. [12933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned is in receipt of a diet supplement along with her primary social welfare payment. As a result of an increase in the rate of her primary payment she was notified that her diet supplement would be reduced by the same amount with effect from the 16th March.
However, legislative provision has since been made so that this will not happen for persons in such circumstances and she will be notified of this. As she is due to be paid her next supplement until the 28th March she will not, in fact, experience any reduction in the rate of payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (492)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a rent allowance payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12955/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The client concerned has a daughter who has a pending claim that is considered assessable income for the purposes of the client's rent supplement entitlement. Should that claim not be awarded before the 31st of March, the Department will award the clients rent supplement based solely on the client's income. A re-assessment can subsequently be carried once the claim award rate is known.
I am aware that your office has been in contact with Philip in my office on this issue. Philip has advised that there was outstanding information that had not been sent into the Department by the client. I am also aware that you have a meeting request in with Department Officials.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Illness Benefit Applications
Ceisteanna (493)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:493. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will make illness benefit MC1 applications available online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12964/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The current IT systems which administer the Illness Benefit schemes are being modernized. A key part of this project is the overhaul of medical certification. A new A4 sized certificate is being designed which will allow GPs give a wider range of diagnoses in line with the WHO international standard of classification – ICD10. The new certificate will also give GPs greater flexibility on durations of certification. The new certificate will be scannable which will automatically generate payments to customers and GPs.
Separately a process is underway with the HSE to explore the possibility of leveraging new developments in GP IT practice systems to incorporate medical certification for my Department. Talks are at an early stage but I am hopeful of a successful outcome. New developments, both paper and electronic, are due to go live in Q1 2018.
Carer's Benefit Data
Ceisteanna (494)
Tom Neville
Ceist:494. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) was in receipt of carer's benefit and if they received PRSI credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12990/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Credited contributions are automatically awarded to a person when they are receiving Carer's Benefit. Credits are awarded at the same rate as the last paid PRSI contribution. These credits help protect future entitlement to social welfare benefits and pensions.
The person concerned was in receipt of carer's benefit from 20 November 2014 to 16 November 2016 and has been awarded credits for this period.
My Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 28 October 2016.
CA is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.
As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit their latest set of accounts if they or a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is self-employed.
In this case the applicant’s spouse is a self-employed auctioneer and he owns or shares in the ownership of an unspecified number of houses yet no set of accounts were furnished with the application.
Accordingly, the matter was referred to a social welfare inspector (SWI) on 28 February 2017 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
If the person concerned qualifies for CA she will also qualify for credits as there would be no break in her contribution record following her carer’s benefit claim.
Should her application for CA be unsuccessful, she can maintain her social insurance record by paying voluntary contributions (VC). Last month I announced reforms I have made to the PRSI system to make it easier for people to make VCs. Up to now, people had to make an application for VCs within 12 months of the end of their employment or after their last credited contributions. I have now extended that period to 5 years.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If you require any further assistance with this query, please do not hesitate to contact Philip in my office.
Social Welfare Offices
Ceisteanna (495)
Kevin Boxer Moran
Ceist:495. Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran asked the Minister for Social Protection if plans are in place to securely share information in real time within Intreo and related Departments in order that hours of individual staff productivity are not wasted requesting the same information repeatedly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13027/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is working towards consolidation on a single ICT ‘platform’ - the Business Object Model implementation - BOMi. This work is carried out as part of my Department’s continuous Service Delivery Modernisation programme.
As this programme progresses, all of my Department’s customer and claim-related systems will be integrated on the BOMi platform, ensuring that all customer and claim information is fully and automatically available across all of my Department’s schemes and places of business.
Separately, my Department continues to move towards having all customer documentation scanned and therefore immediately available to all staff, irrespective of location.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Ceisteanna (496)
Kevin Boxer Moran
Ceist:496. Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are discretionary payments available for families with wheelchair users that need access to a suitably adapted car in view of the fact that this would save on taxi fares in the long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (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 Government has provided €31.5 million for exceptional and urgent needs payments in 2017.
There is no automatic entitlement to a payment. The ENP scheme is demand led and payments are made 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 in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Also under the SWA scheme, the Department may award a travel supplement in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, operated by Revenue, provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of specially constructed or adapted vehicles by drivers and passengers with a disability. Further information is provided on the Revenue website at http://www.revenue.ie.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am informed that the Minister for Health is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (497)
Clare Daly
Ceist:497. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the financial hardship on those in co-ordinated occupational pension schemes that have retired early, in many cases through ill health, and whose pension has reduced by up to €1,000 per month on reaching 65 years of age in view of the fact they will not be entitled to a State contributory pension until they are 66 years of age and are not entitled to jobseeker's benefit; and his plans to rectify this situation. [13085/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Re-introducing the State pension (transition) would have a significant Exchequer cost. It is estimated that the net cost of re-introducing this pension from 2018 would be in the region of €84 million per annum, and this is expected to increase over time.
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.
In January 2016, an Interdepartmental Group on Fuller Working Lives, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was established specifically to examine the implications arising from prevailing retirement ages. The final report of the Group made a number of recommendations to support working and retirement practices. This included a request to the Workplace Relations Commission to prepare a Code of Practice under Section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990 to help manage the engagement between employers and employees regarding retirement issues and longer working. The final report, the recommendations of which were accepted by Government in August 2016, is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s website.
People aged 65, where eligible, may claim appropriate working-age payments, such as Jobseekers benefit or Invalidity Pension, provided they satisfy the conditions of those schemes, and whether they qualify will depend upon their individual circumstances.
I hope this clarifies that matter for the Deputy.
Mortgage Arrears Proposals
Ceisteanna (498)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:498. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and percentage of bank refusals of proposals put forward by mortgage advisers within the Abhaile, PIPs and ISI schemes. [13091/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Abhaile service for borrowers in home mortgage arrears was officially launched in October 2016. An information campaign to raise awareness of the range of valuable supports now in place for borrowers in home mortgage arrears commenced last month.
A key component of the service is a new voucher based scheme for which MABS is the gateway. This provides access for people who are insolvent and in home mortgage arrears, to defined levels of independent expert financial and/or legal advice and assistance, free of charge. Qualification for help under the scheme is based on the applicant being (a) in mortgage arrears on their home; (b) insolvent; (c) at risk of losing their home because of their mortgage arrears; and (d) reasonably accommodated. The primary focus is to help borrowers to put sustainable solutions in place with their lenders and wherever possible to keep them in their homes.
To date, 5,182 vouchers have been issued in respect of 3,229 Principal Private Residences. Of these, 4,029 were issued to borrowers to avail of the services of a Personal Insolvency Practitioner; 1,027 to borrowers to obtain legal advice and assistance from the panel of solicitors; and 126 vouchers in respect of borrowers wishing to avail of the Personal Insolvency Court Review Service.
In addition to the specialised services which can be accessed through the voucher system, advice and assistance is available to borrowers in home mortgage arrears through the MABS Dedicated Mortgage Arrears service. To date, 3,234 people have availed of the MABS DMA service.
Home mortgage arrears cases, due to their nature, are dealt with on an individual case basis. Degrees of complexity will obviously vary as will the approach of the lenders involved. Some home mortgage arrears cases are more easily resolved, while others require more than one professional intervention, and involve more protracted and sometimes multiple engagements with lenders in an effort to put sustainable solutions in place and where possible keep individuals and families in their own homes. Under the Abhaile scheme, those providing financial and legal advice and assistance to distressed borrowers can use a range of approaches in response to the individual needs of each case. While lenders in some cases may refuse initial proposals, they may later agree to subsequent resolution proposals as the case evolves.
At this time, outcome data of the type necessary to determine the number and percentage of refusals by lenders of proposals put forward by advisors providing financial and/or legal service to borrowers is not available. Cases of this nature are, as expected, taking time to process, from assessment of the financial or legal difficulties to finding, where possible, sustainable solutions for borrowers in serious debt. Data gathering arrangements are already underway and as cases progress, the general nature of resolutions, where achieved, will be captured. I expect more comprehensive statistical data to be available in relation to the outcomes achieved for borrowers who availed of the various Abhaile services later this year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (499)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:499. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if forthcoming legislation on ending the compulsory retirement age will extend to those taking part in community employment schemes. [13093/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Community Employment (CE) is a non-statutory scheme put in place to support persons who are long-term unemployed and other vulnerable groups to gain the confidence and skills to re-enter the labour market. Schemes are sponsored by local community and voluntary groups who provide valuable support services to local communities. These sponsoring organisations employ supervisory staff to administer the scheme.
Funding is provided by the Department to the sponsoring organisations for the employment of staff up to state pension age. Once the staff member reaches state pension age (currently 66 years of age), that person can no longer be funded under CE. This is a long-established procedure and As CE placement can run to state pension age I have no plans to change these arrangements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
JobPath Implementation
Ceisteanna (500)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:500. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) still has to attend Turas Nua to complete the programme, even though they will be signing off jobseeker's allowance and starting full-time employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13109/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them to overcome barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs and when they find employment they will continue to receive support calls from their personal advisor for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment and will not be required to attend any meetings during that time. The support provided will reduce as the person settles into the job and they can opt out of the support calls at any time during that period
If the Deputy would like to pass on the contact details of the customer mentioned, my officials will make contact with them to discuss their concerns.
Youth Guarantee
Ceisteanna (501)
Noel Rock
Ceist:501. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans regarding the youth guarantee; if there are plans for targeted initiatives; if he will be drawing down further funding for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13150/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through Pathways to Work to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register, including young people.
This strategy has been succeeding; by the fourth quarter of 2016 the number of people in employment was up by almost 212,000 from the lowest level reached in 2012.
The youth unemployment rate has fallen from 31.1% in July 2012 to 14.5% in February 2017. The actual number of young unemployed has fallen from close to 80,000 on average in 2009 to 35,000 on average in 2016. The most recent figures show youth unemployment down by 4,000 year-on-year to 30,000 in Q4 2016. Having being far above typical EU levels, Irish youth unemployment is now significantly below the EU average.
Policies to reduce youth unemployment, framed in the context of the EU Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee, concentrate assistance to young people in finding and securing sustainable jobs. To this end there is monthly engagement by case officers with all young unemployed to facilitate their return to employment. The Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan sets out the additional initiatives that are provided for those who do not find employment. This includes reserved places for the young unemployed on existing schemes as well as youth-specific programmes. Pathways to Work 2016-2020 continues these initiatives and additionally commits to: 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.
Some elements of the programmes that contribute to Ireland’s response to the Youth guarantee are part-funded by the EU’s Youth employment Initiative (YEI). The YEI allocation for the relevant Irish programmes is €68m. This amount matched by equal amounts from our ESF allocation and from the Exchequer, giving an overall allocation of €204m. The YEI is integrated into ESF programming as a dedicated priority axis within the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. Seven actions were originally selected for YEI funding, namely the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance; JobBridge (now closed to new participants from October 2016); JobsPlus Incentive Scheme; Tús; Youthreach, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and Momentum. These actions are underway and are being fully funded up-front by the Exchequer.
This funding is available for drawdown before the end of 2018 and while a claim for funding has not been made to date it is expected that the funding will be fully drawn down. The ESF Managing Authority and the Operational Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) maintain an ongoing overview of the funding allocations under the PEIL and will re-allocate the available funding as required, in accordance with the EU Regulatory provisions. The PMC has agreed in principle to the inclusion of the Community Training Centres, which are funded by the ETBs in consultation with SOLAS, as an approved activity under the YEI with effect from 1 January 2017.
The ESF co-financed Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) for the period 2014-2020, contains a total budget of €1.153 billion, comprising ESF and Exchequer contributions of €542.43m each and an EU Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) budget contribution of €68.145m. The overall YEI allocation is €204m. The PEIL includes proposed allocations for over 20 activities, including the YEI, being implemented across a range of bodies.
While no claim for funding has been made to date, it is expected that the funding allocated will be drawn down during the programming period. Furthermore, as the activities concerned are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer there is no resulting reduction or delay in the funding available to those activities.
The ESF Managing Authority, within the Department of Education Science and the Operational Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) maintain an ongoing overview of the funding allocations under the PEIL and will re-allocate the available funding as required, in accordance with the EU Regulatory provisions, over the lifetime of the PEIL.
Under the ESF Regulations, initial and annual pre-financing is provided by the Commission, resulting in receipts of €51.8m for the PEIL to date. Of this €51.8m, €28.3m relates to ESF advances and €23.5m relates to YEI advances. €20.4m (€18m ESF and €2.4m YEI) of these receipts have been distributed, while the remaining €31.4m (€10.3m ESF and €21.1m YEI) has or will be reimbursed to the Commission in the absence of a claim being made. Work on the designation of the relevant ESF authorities, including the provision of a national computerised accounting and information system for EU funds to meet the 2014-2020 functionality requirements is continuing.
I understand that the Department of Education and Science expects that this designation work will be completed in the coming months and that it is proposed to commence the preparation of a first interim claim for payment from the Commission once the process of designation has concluded. This claim will be made within the EU Regulatory deadlines to ensure no loss of ESF receipts.
I am confident that the measures taken under the Youth Guarantee, together with the continuing economic recovery, will support further reductions in youth unemployment.
If you require any further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact Philip in my office.
Illness Benefit Eligibility
Ceisteanna (502)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:502. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason illness benefit is no longer paid to working widows in receipt of the widow's pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13157/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The social welfare system is primarily a contingency-based income support system, with entitlement based on a number of defined contingencies such as sickness, unemployment, old age or widowhood. The income support system is underpinned by a general principle of ‘one person, one payment’ even if a person may experience more than one contingency at the same time. For example, an unemployed person may become sick. The general approach is that if a person experiences more than one of these contingencies at the same time, he or she can receive only one of those payments. This principle is common to other social security systems.
In the past, there were a limited number of exceptions in the social insurance system to this general principle particularly in the context of short-term benefits. For instance, recipients of one-parent family payment, widows and widowers pensioners etc. could, until recent years, also receive short-term social insurance benefits, such as illness benefit and jobseeker's benefit at half-rate at the same time. These overlapping payment arrangements were introduced in the early 1950s when the social insurance system was first established, at a time when there were only 10 individual social welfare payments and when rates were significantly lower in relative terms than they are now.
In the context of the difficult fiscal environment in recent years and the Government's commitment to maintain existing core rates of primary payments for social welfare recipients, the concurrent payment of half-rate illness benefit and jobseeker's benefit in addition to one-parent family payment, widows and widowers pensions etc. was discontinued from January 2012. It is realistic and prudent to maintain the underlying principle of ‘one person, one payment’ for the social welfare system. To do otherwise could potentially lead to very significant consequences for its sustainability in the long-term.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Citizen Information Services
Ceisteanna (503)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:503. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify media reports regarding the centralisation of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS and Citizens Information Services, CIS, (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13217/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has statutory responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the Citizens Information Services (CIS) decided, on 15th February 2017, to restructure the governance arrangements of these services. The Citizens Information Board (CIB) assures me that there will be no job losses, no closure of services, no change to service delivery locations and no change to the terms and conditions of serving staff during the lifetime of the restructuring programme. There will be no disruption to CIS and MABS services for those who use them. The decision was communicated by the Board to all CIS and MABS Boards and to all staff on the same day.
The decision comes after a lengthy and extensive analysis of options and a detailed consultation period with all stakeholders on the need for a more streamlined governance model. It is worth clarifying that the new governance arrangements are not aimed at centralising the services provided by CIS and MABS. The restructured governance arrangements are being implemented at local company board level only. The decision taken will simply reduce the number of individual local CIS and MABS company boards from ninety three (93) to sixteen (16). A new regional board structure will be put in place which will comprise eight (8) CIS boards and eight (8) MABS boards.
The valuable work carried out by the employees and volunteers working in CIS services and the employees of MABS services will continue as heretofore. A more streamlined governance structure will result in a more targeted use of valuable staff resources, re-directed to increased front line service delivery, made possible by reduction in the current significant administrative burden associated with maintaining ninety three (93) individual companies nationwide.
The changes will bring the CIS and MABS organisations more into line with modern public service governance guidelines and requirements where significant State funding is involved. In 2017, CIB is set to receive State funding of €54 million, of which €15 million is allocated to CIS services (including €13.1 million to the 42 local Citizens Information Services, €1.2 million to Citizens Information Phone services and, the balance, €0.7 million to central and other supports), and €24.6 million is allocated to the network of MABS services (including €15.4 million to the 51 local MABS, €0.3m to National Traveller MABS, €2.0 million to MABS National Development Company, €3.3million to the MABS Dedicated Mortgage Arrears initiative, €3.5 million to the Abhaile service, and the remaining €0.1m to MABS central supports).
Following on from the decision of the Board, a Restructuring Implementation Group is being set up by CIB to examine all aspects of implementing the new sixteen (16) board model. This work will include examination of the establishment costs of the new structure and the potential for future savings derived from the reduction in the administrative burden associated with ninety three (93) individual local companies. Current costs are an aggregate of the costs incurred by each of the ninety three (93) local companies on items such as audit fees, professional fees (including legal services), payroll administration and board of director expenses. While cost is not the driver of the restructuring project, some efficiencies are likely to result from moving to a reduced sixteen (16) company model. The main aim of the project is to improve existing governance arrangements and optimise the benefits from operating a more modern, streamlined and customer focused service delivery model.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes Administration
Ceisteanna (504)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:504. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 325 of 7 March 2017 (details supplied) if, by the logic contained therein, the national average supervisor participation ratio will need to increase to 25:1 before a scheme is approved for an assistant supervisor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection is the funder of Community Employment (CE) schemes. CE Sponsors are the legal employers of CE Supervisors. Each application by a CE Sponsor for supervisory grant support is examined on a case-by-case basis.
Where a CE scheme maintains an approval level of 26 or more participants, additional supervisory grant support may be considered for an assistant supervisor position. My Department will only consider such grant support when the Sponsor submits a detailed job description for the additional supervision tasks. Each application is then examined on a case-by-case basis.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Public Sector Staff Remuneration
Ceisteanna (505)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:505. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will confirm that in line with the one-person-one-salary principle, no public servant who is a member of a State board or agency under the control of his Department is currently in receipt of remuneration in the form of board fees and if any such remuneration is being paid, such payment will be discontinued and payments that were wrongfully paid will be reclaimed. [13326/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
I can confirm that remuneration, in the form of board fees, is not paid to any public servant on the boards of these bodies.
Family Income Supplement Payments
Ceisteanna (506)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:506. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if arrears due to a person (details supplied) in relation to their claim for family income supplement will be paid immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13346/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In order to qualify for FIS the person concerned must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for at least 38 hours per fortnight (19 hours per week). It is a further condition for the receipt of FIS that claimants cannot claim Jobseekers Benefit (JB) and FIS concurrently. The person concerned was awarded Family Income Supplement (FIS) from 2nd June, 2016 to 31st May, 2017.
On the 6th December, 2016 the person concerned applied for Jobseekers Benefit (JB), and this automatically stopped the payment of FIS.
FIS payments have now been reinstated for the person concerned and any arrears due for FIS during this period have now issued to their designated bank account.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (507)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:507. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13419/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 November 2016.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 3 January 2017 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
The SWI has requested a number of financial documents, which the person concerned has not yet provided. Once these have been provided and the SWI has completed his report, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Exceptional Needs Payment Data
Ceisteanna (508, 509, 510, 511, 540)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:508. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made for exceptional needs payments between January 2014 and December 2016; the number and percentage of those applications which were successful; the total number of such applications between January 2014 and December 2016 which related to assistance with exceptional needs due to serious illness; and the number and percentage of those applications which were successful. [13436/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:509. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications between January 2014 and December 2016 which related to assistance with funeral, burial or cremation costs; and the number and percentage of those applications which were successful. [13440/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:510. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid in relation to all exceptional needs payments approved between January 2014 and December 2016 relating to assistance with exceptional needs due to serious illness. [13438/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:511. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid in relation to all exceptional needs payments approved between January 2014 and December 2016 relating to assistance with exceptional needs due to funeral, burial or cremation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13439/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:540. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid in relation to all exceptional needs payments approved between January 2014 and December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 to 511, inclusive, and 540 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (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 Government has provided €31.5 million for exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs) in 2017.
Details of the number of payments and expenditure under the ENP scheme for the years 2014 to 2016 are set out in the tabular statement. Statistics are maintained relating to payments that issue under the ENP scheme, however they are not maintained on the number of applications or the outcome of those applications. The statistics do not provide information on whether the exceptional need has arisen due to serious illness.
An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship. From January 2014 to end of December 2016, over 8,900 payments with a value of some €14.7 million have been made in respect of funeral and burial costs.
Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an ENP under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme should contact the Department. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Number of Payments and Expenditure under Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payment schemes in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Total |
|
No of payments |
107,100 |
101,600 |
100,100 |
308,800 |
|
Expenditure (€m) |
€30.1 |
€31.0 |
€32.2* |
€93.3 |
* Provisional Outturn
Motor Insurance
Ceisteanna (512)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:512. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure followed by his Department if a traffic accident occurs whereby an employee of a community employment scheme is driving their own vehicle for the purpose of work and is not covered by insurance for such incidents which happened during the course of work; if his Department has had such cases; if it covered the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
If a person uses their vehicle for work purposes they are obliged to inform their insurance company. This situation is no different for participants of Community Employment (CE) schemes who are employees of CE Scheme Sponsors.
It is the responsibility of the CE participant to inform their motor insurers if they are using their car for business purposes and have their car insurance policy adjusted accordingly. My Department does not have any role in relation to covering road traffic accident costs in these circumstances.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.