Written Answers Nos. 365-377
365. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect a decision on an invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of her claim the lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 16 June 2016. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 20 April 2017. Any arrears due from the 16 June 2016 to the 19 April 2017 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 03 April 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
366. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the exact statutory provision which is preventing a public services card being issued in the case of a person (details supplied). [16567/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing the issuance of a Public Services Card is contained in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended.
Section 263(1C) states –
“The Minister shall not issue a public services card to a person unless the Minister is satisfied as to the identity of the person to whom such card is to be issued. ”
Section 263B states –
“(1) For the purposes of satisfying himself or herself as to the identity of a person in respect of whom a personal public service number is to be allocated and issued under section 262, or in respect of whom a public services card is to be issued under section 263, the Minister may, without prejudice to any other method of authenticating the identity of that person, request that person -
(a) to attend at an office of the Minister or such other place as the Minister may designate as appropriate,
(b) to provide to the Minister, at that office or other designated place, such information and to produce any document to the Minister as the Minister may reasonably require for the purposes of authenticating the identity of that person,
(c) to allow a photograph or other record of an image of that person to be taken, at that office or other designated place, in electronic form, for the purposes of the authentication, by the Minister, at any time, of the identity of that person, and
(d) to provide, at that office or other designated place, a sample of his or her signature in electronic form for the purposes of the authentication, by the Minister, at any time, of the identity of that person.”
As the person concerned is originally from outside of the EEA, they are required to produce a current valid passport. In this instance, the person does not have the required document. As a result, alternative enquiries are being made to ascertain sufficient information to make a decision on whether the person’s identity can be authenticated to a sufficient degree. As soon as these enquiries are completed my Department will be in contact with the person concerned.
It is important to remember that a person may only be issued a Public Services Card where there is a high level of assurance as to his or her identity and I am sure that the Deputy can appreciate how important it is that my Department takes all the necessary steps to so satisfy itself.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
367. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the reciprocal social security arrangements that were put in place prior to Ireland and Britain joining the EEC in 1973; the present-day status of such arrangements and their validity in view of EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16574/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1923 various reciprocal bilateral arrangements governing social welfare benefits have been in place between Ireland and the UK. The current agreement is the Convention on Social Security between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which was signed in Dublin on 14 December 2004 (Schedule 1 to S.I. No. 701/2007). This Reciprocal Agreement covers the following social protection payments:
- Illness Benefit;
- Occupational Injuries Benefit;
- Maternity Benefit;
- Jobseeker’s Benefit;
- Invalidity Benefit;
- State Pension [Contributory];
- Widow/er’s and Surviving Partner’s [Contributory] Pension; and
- Guardian’s Payment [Contributory].
It also consolidated the terms of earlier agreements, modified them to take account of legislative changes both in Ireland and the UK and extended their scope to the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Jethou [Channel Islands].
The Bilateral Agreement with the UK provides, therefore, for broadly similar entitlements as apply under the EU Regulations on the Coordination of Social Security Systems. The latter commenced to apply to the UK, as with Ireland, on the accession of both countries to the then EEC, now EU, on 1 April 1973. The provisions of the EU Regulations on the Coordination of Social Security Systems, in general, replace the provisions of any existing bilateral social security agreements where the EU Regulations apply to an EU Member State. In the case of our bilateral agreement with the UK, it only applies to people to whom EU Regulations on the Coordination of Social Security Systems do not apply.
368. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of British citizens living here and in receipt of a British state pension which is updated on an annual basis; if he has met with his British counterpart to discuss this matter; the provisions he plans to put in place to protect such citizens' pension rights post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16575/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Irish citizens living in the UK and in receipt of an Irish State pension; the impact he envisages Brexit having on such persons and their entitlements; the steps he has taken to date to protect such persons' persons rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
Statistics on the amount of people resident in Ireland in receipt of a UK pension are compiled by the UK Department of Work and Pensions. The most recent figure they have provided is 135,070.
There are 34,238 people resident in the UK in receipt of a pension paid by my Department.
The current arrangements for social security between Ireland and the UK have not changed. All social welfare payments, including pensions, made by the Department of Social Protection, continue to be paid as normal.
Social security arrangements between the UK and the EU27 have also not changed. The future operation of arrangements will, of course, be determined as part of the complex process of negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.
Clearly, a key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social security schemes and services between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland. The Government's long-term objective is to ensure that the reciprocity of civic rights and social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the Common Travel Area (CTA), are safeguarded and maintained.
I have strongly emphasised the importance of this in my meetings with the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Right Hon. Damian Green, M.P. on 2nd February 2017 and with Mr Damian Hinds, Minister for Employment, UK Department of Work and Pensions at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) on 8 December 2016. I have also underlined this issue during my bilateral meetings, to date, with my Ministerial colleagues from Romania, Malta, Germany and Denmark at several of the EPSCO meetings.
I am meeting with my German, French and Estonian Ministerial colleagues at the EPSCO meeting of 3-4 April and will again be highlighting Ireland’s concerns to ensure that they are fully reflected in the EU position as negotiations commence. In addition, as a member of the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, I will take every opportunity to protect and advance this objective as will my officials.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
370. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on JobsPlus from 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the number of long-term unemployed who have gained employment due to this scheme; the details of persons that have been retained in employment beyond a two-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16582/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department has taken to highlight JobsPlus to employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the JobsPlus incentive is designed to encourage employers and businesses to focus their recruitment efforts on those who have been out of work for long periods, or on young people seeking employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years, paid in monthly instalments, provided the employment is maintained. The rate of payment depends on the length of time the person employed has been on the Live Register.
Up to the end of February 2017, just over 12,900 people have gained employment through the scheme. Expenditure on the programme is shown in table 1 below.
Table 1: Expenditure on JobsPlus 2013-2017
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2013 |
€1.04m |
|
2014 |
€11.883m |
|
2015 |
€22.63m |
|
2016 (Provisional) |
€23.994m |
|
2017 (to end February) |
€4.915m |
My Department has established relationships with employers, representative bodies and other stakeholders at a national level and this is co-ordinated by employment engagement managers throughout the Department’s divisions who co-ordinate the service at local level. JobsPlus is publicised as a matter of course in employer networking events and briefings on the services offered by the Department, at jobs fairs and at events during National Jobs Week, which takes place annually. My Department also engages with enterprise agencies to encourage their client companies to recruit directly from the Live Register and to avail of the services my Department provides, including JobsPlus.
My Department is currently undertaking a Focused Policy Assessment on JobsPlus and the outcomes for participants will be examined in this and in a forthcoming counterfactual impact evaluation which is planned for later this year. Preliminary analysis of a sample of Jobsplus employees has shown that over 87% of participants remain off the Live Register between 30 and 36 months after commencing their JobsPlus employment. I consider this a very favourable result and I believe it demonstrates the positive effect that JobsPlus has in getting people who are long-term unemployed into work.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the cut-off point for eligibility for child benefit from 16 to 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16584/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children up to their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability.
Child Benefit is currently paid to around 627,000 families in respect of some 1.2 million children, with an estimated expenditure in the order of over €2 billion in 2017.
It is not possible to accurately predict the full year cost of increasing the cut off point for eligibility for child benefit from 16 to 18 years of age. This is because the Department has no way of measuring with any degree of accuracy the number of children who are not in education. However, according to the most recent figures from the Department of Education and Skills the national retention rates at second level are in excess of 90 per cent. This would suggest that the number of additional children between 16 and 18 years currently not eligible as they are not in full time education would be relatively low and would not result in a substantial increase in current Child Benefit expenditure. However, breaking the link between school attendance and Child Benefit for 16 and 17 year olds could also have unintended consequences in relation to retention rates at second level.
It is also worth noting that under EU regulations Child Benefit is defined as a family benefit and is exportable in cases where the claimant is working in Ireland but where the children are living abroad. We have no way of predicting with any degree of accuracy the potential in-flow in this category for children who turn 17 and are not in secondary education in other Member States.
Any changes to the eligibility criteria for Child Benefit would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
373. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the average cost per participant on the back to education allowance; the cost of increasing the number of places on the allowance by 5%,10%,15% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16585/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments that pursue courses of education at second or third level. The objective of the scheme is to raise the educational and skill levels to enable jobseekers better access to the emerging needs of the labour market.
A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme must satisfy a number of conditions. These include age, being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period, be pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and be progressing in the level of education with reference to the National Framework of Qualifications. Once a person satisfies these conditions and a Departmental case officer agrees the course of study is in line with their personal progression plan, their BTEA will be approved.
The average weekly payment to a BTEA participant during 2016 amounted to just over €196. There are no restrictions on the number of participants who satisfy the BTEA criteria being supported by the scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
374. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if there have been internal recommendations in his Department to change the criteria for accessing back to education allowance; if he will consider allowing greater access to persons applying to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16607/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person wishing to pursue a course of study under the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme must satisfy a number of conditions. These include age, being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period, be pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and be progressing in the level of education with reference to the National Framework of Qualifications, among others.
The qualifying period for the second-level option is three months while the qualifying period for third-level courses is nine months prior to the date of commencement of the course. A person awarded statutory redundancy may access BTEA immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established.
The BTEA confers entitlement to income support for an extended period while in full-time education. There are no plans at present to modify the existing BTEA qualifying criteria for persons who are not in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for the required duration.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
375. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to extend the homemakers credits scheme prior to 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16627/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State pension is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. There are two State pensions. Firstly, the State pension (non-contributory) is a means tested pension and is funded by general taxation. Secondly, the State pension (contributory) is not means tested and is paid from the Social Insurance Fund.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying for a contributory pension have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension (contributory), all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement.
The home-makers scheme makes qualification for a higher rate of State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect for periods from 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age (or caring for incapacitated people over that age) to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes, subject to the standard qualifying conditions for State pension contributory also being satisfied. This has the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, which is used to set the rate of their pension.
My Department has estimated that the annual cost of extending the Homemakers scheme to allow people to avail of the full 20 years currently allowed under the scheme, encompassing periods prior to 1994, could cost some €290m in 2017, and this figure would rise at a faster rate than the rate of the overall cost of State pensions. This is a very significant cost, and the main beneficiaries would be people who already have significant household means, and who do not therefore qualify for a means-tested payment.
Where someone does not qualify for a full rate contributory pension, they may qualify for an alternative payment. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension. Alternatively, they may qualify for a State pension (non-contributory), which amounts up to 95% of the maximum contributory rate. While this payment is subject to a household means-test, there are very significant disregards which mean that over 70% of such pensioners qualify at the full rate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
376. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability allowance payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this gentleman on 23 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.
377. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of all the courses, including course providers, for which JobPath does and may provide funding in County Donegal, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraParticipants on JobPath receive intensive individual support over a period of up to 12 months to help them tackle barriers to employment and to find jobs. As part of the JobPath process each person is assigned a personal advisor who assesses their skills, qualifications and experience with a particular focus on identifying appropriate training and educational interventions in the context of potential employment opportunities
The JobPath providers arrange for the delivery of a broad range of education and training courses with a particular and strong focus on upskilling the long term unemployed. Some of these courses are provided in-house while others are provided by specialist training providers including the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). In addition, JobPath participants may also apply for the Back to Education Allowance Scheme in order to pursue second and third level courses.
In order to support JobPath providers in referring people to training and education, and to allow jobseekers to benefit fully from the JobPath service, the Department will extend the 12 month JobPath referral period by the duration of any externally delivered approved training course. This can be up to an additional 26 weeks. The JobPath companies remain in contact with the person while they are on such courses.
For any long-term programmes of education such as a degree course the client is withdrawn from the JobPath service. Clients who return to the live register following completion of their long-term course of education may be referred back to JobPath.
Attached is a breakdown of all the courses and the course providers which have been completed or in the process of completion by JobPath participants in Co Donegal to date. Where additional training requirements are identified for participants in the future, they will be facilitated either through the existing course providers or another course provider as appropriate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Details of All Courses and Course Providers in Co. Donegal
|
COURSE PROVIDER – DONEGAL ETB |
|
Adult Basic Literacy/Numeracy |
|
Basic Computer Skills |
|
Information technology |
|
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), |
|
Essential IT (QQI) |
|
Early Childhood Care and Education |
|
Information Communications Technology (Level 4) |
|
Literacy Skills |
|
Computers & Internet ( Level 3) |
|
PC Skills |
|
Accounts executive Traineeship |
|
Book Keeping Manual & Computerised |
|
Horticulture Level 6 |
|
Door Security & Guarding Skills |
|
Word Processing QQI 4, IT SkillsQQI 4, Mathematics QQI 4, Business Calculations |
|
Special Needs Assistant |
|
Hairdressing - refresher |
|
FETAC Level 5 in Healthcare |
|
I.T. for Beginners Course |
|
FETAC Level 5 in Childcare |
|
Software Tester Course |
|
Software Developer Course |
|
Basic English |
|
Fetac Level 5 Care of the Elderly |
|
Level 5 Fetac Childcare |
|
Food Safety |
|
Nail Technology |
|
Business admin |
|
Caring for Children with add needs |
|
Catering |
|
Certificate in make up |
|
Customer Care Course |
|
Digital Photography |
|
Door security |
|
Early Childhood Care and Education |
|
ECDL |
|
Fetac Level 5 Care of the Elderly |
|
FETAC Level 5 in Childcare |
|
FETAC Level 5 in Healthcare |
|
FETAC Level 5 Special Needs |
|
Ground Works |
|
Guarding Skills & Door Security |
|
Hairdressing |
|
Healthcare Support |
|
Horticulture |
|
I.T. for Beginners Course |
|
Leaving Certificate |
|
Literacy and Numeracy |
|
Multimedia Digital Course |
|
QQI Level 3 ICT Course |
|
Software Developer Course |
|
Software Tester Course |
|
Sport & Exercise |
|
Supervisory Management |
|
Surf Instructor and Beach Lifeguard |
|
Technical Employability |
|
Train the Trainer |
|
Welding Course |
|
Forklift (Counterbalance) |
|
Course Provider - Congress Resource Centre Letterkenny |
|
Self Employment |
|
Basic computer course |
|
Course Provider - Swilly Group Letterkenny |
|
CPC Training |
|
Tachographic training |
|
ADR Training |
|
Truck and Bus Training |
|
Transport Manager training |
|
Course Provider - Safetech |
|
Train the trainer |
|
Leadership Development course |
|
Safety Representative |
|
Safety &Health t work |
|
Care for the older person. |
|
Abrasive wheel |
|
Work at heights |
|
People Moving & Handling |
|
Manual Handling |
|
Safe pass |
|
Confined Space awareness |
|
Signing, lighting &guarding t Road works |
|
Manager Safety for Construction mangers |
|
Occupational First aid |
|
360 Excavator |
|
Dumper truck license |
|
Slinger/ Signaller |
|
Telescopic Handler |
|
Tractor licence |
|
Excavator licence |
|
Forklift licence |
|
Cherry picker licence |
|
Gantry Crane |
|
Lorry mounted Crane |
|
Farm safety |
|
Child Protection awareness |
|
Course Provider - alison.com via E-College |
|
English Language |
|
I.T. for Beginners Course |
|
Introduction to Banking |
|
Microsoft PowerPoint |
|
Microsoft Word |
|
Time Management Skills |
|
Course Provider - ecollege.ie |
|
Reception and Front Office Skills |
|
70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 - N29 |
|
Accounts Technician |
|
Administration Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database |
|
Adobe in Design |
|
Changing career to the IT Sector |
|
Cisco Interconnecting Network Devices |
|
CompTIA A+ 900 course |
|
CompTIA Network+ N10-006 (19N |
|
CompTIA Security SYO 401 |
|
Digital Marketing |
|
Diploma in Accounting and Business (ACCA) |
|
Domestic App Course |
|
ECDL |
|
ECollege Microsoft Excel |
|
ECollege Microsoft Office Specialist |
|
ECollege Microsoft SQL Server |
|
ECollege Microsoft Word |
|
HACCAP |
|
HACCP Training |
|
Health & Safety |
|
Health and Safety including Manual Handling - E College course code - 08811 |
|
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 |
|
Irish Course |
|
Java Associate Developer |
|
Java Foundation |
|
Java Junior Foundations Certified |
|
Java Web |
|
Manual Handling |
|
Manual Handling & HACCP |
|
Microsoft Office |
|
Microsoft Office Specialist |
|
Microsoft PowerPoint |
|
MOS Excel Core |
|
MOS word expert |
|
MS Office PowerPoint 2013 – 51N |
|
MSCA Windows OS Fundamentals-Ex |
|
MTA Database Admin Fundamentals |
|
Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing - 08435 |
|
Project Management |
|
Visual Communication using Adobe Photoshop |
|
Web Authoring using adobe Dreamweaver - Online |
|
Web Design with Adobe |
|
Java Programming |
|
Visual Communication using Adobe |
|
Changing career to the IT Sector |
|
Microsoft Office Specialist |
|
ECollege Microsoft Excel |
|
ECollege Microsoft Office Specialist |
|
ECollege Microsoft SQL Server |
|
ECollege Microsoft Word |
|
Course Provider - JobPath provider - internal course |
|
CV workshop |
|
Application workshop |
|
Personal Marketing |
|
Interview Techniques |
|
Moving on Gateway |
|
Developing Group & Teamwork Skills |
|
The World of Work |
|
Effective Communication |
|
Self-employment Gateway |
|
Back to Work Gateway |
|
Confidence Building |
|
Customer Service Workshop |
|
Admin & Office Practice |
|
Personal confidence & Self Awareness |
|
Basic Computers |
|
SWOT Analysis for Job Hunters. |
|
Effective Job search |
|
Basic IT |
|
Online Tools |
|
Making the most of JobPath. |
|
1-2-1 Business Plan advice |
|
1-2-1 Sessions - based on client demand |
|
1-2-1 Personal Progression Plan |
|
1-2-1 interview preparation. |
|
Abintegro - Seetec on line activities and short courses (over 500 activities) |
