Written Answers Nos. 608-624
608. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review upwards the rent allowance being paid to persons (details supplied); the reason the rent allowance was reduced from €112 per week to €40 per week; and if their circumstances and poor health will be considered as part of the review. [20577/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 20th April 2017, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
609. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied). [20613/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 20 February 2017. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
610. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection when his Department will appoint a supervisor for the Portumna and Woodford area of south Galway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I have allocated an additional 500 places on the rural social scheme (RSS) as part of the social welfare budget package for 2017. The additional RSS places have been allocated with effect from 1st February 2017 to the 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) and Údarás Na Gaeltachta, who deliver and administer the scheme on behalf of my Department.
The recruitment of participants and supervisors is a matter for each LDC as the employer of both the participants and supervisors. The company referred to by the Deputy was allocated an additional 32 places on the RSS bringing the total number of places available in the company to 188. The current number of participants on the RSS in the company is 153 and there are sufficient supervisors in place for these participants. As additional participants are recruited, the requirements for additional supervision will be considered.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
611. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who goes out on Tús must do 19 hours work and a person who signs up with a company (details supplied) only has to complete a half day's training a week to satisfy qualification for full social payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a range of employment supports, such as Tús and JobPath, which are designed to encourage and support people who are unemployed to re-enter the labour market.
JobPath is an activation measure which also supports people who are long-term unemployed. It helps them to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. Participants spend 12 months on JobPath and receive intensive individual support to help them tackle barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned a personal adviser who assesses a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals. The personal adviser works with the jobseeker to agree a personal progression plan that includes a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets. Participants are provided with a range of training and development supports. If the jobseeker secures employment they will continue to receive support for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment.
Tús is a community work placement initiative which provides short-term, work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. It is designed to break the cycle of unemployment and improve the employability and work readiness of participants. It provides the participants with opportunities to put their existing skills into practise and to learn and develop new skills by working 19½ hours per week in their community.
Both of these supports are designed to assist people who are long term unemployed to return to work and become independent of welfare support. In general, jobseekers cannot participate in two schemes simultaneously. This restriction applies to TÚS, JobPath and other schemes. However, if a person has completed their engagement with the one service and continues to be unemployed, participation on other schemes remains an option that can be considered for that person subject to an assessment by a departmental case officer.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
612. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of new jobs which have been created by JobPath in east Galway in 2015 and 2016. [20671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra613. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons signed up to JobPath in east Galway in 2015 and 2016. [20672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra616. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Seetec and Turas Nua offices that have opened in 2015 and 2016 by county. [20675/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 612, 613 and 616 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the state’s Public Employment Service is managed by the Department and delivered directly by its own Intreo service as well as by contracted private companies, such as JobPath, Local Employment Service and Job Club providers. The department has contracts in place with 68 companies for the provision of these services (this includes two contracts with JobPath service providers). The services being delivered do not create employment in themselves, rather it is the role of the staff of these services to assist and support jobseekers to enter / re-enter employment in the open labour market.
The JobPath element of the service has been designed to support long-term unemployed people and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The service model has a number of key features, for example, every participant is provided with a service guarantee - a baseline level of service covering, inter-alia, frequency of engagement, personal progression planning, geographic accessibility and in-employment support.
In the case of East Galway, to date, 726 people have commenced their engagement period with the service. These clients were referred to the service from the Intreo Centre in Loughrea, and the Social Welfare Branch Offices in Gort and Tuam.
It is important to note that jobseekers may be supported through the service for up to 30 months - under the service jobseekers have access to a personal adviser (PA) who works with them over two phases. During 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. In addition to the two phases Jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months.
It will take time to accumulate a sufficient number of clients (who have completed their engagement period with the service) for complete and robust outcome data to be available. However, the Department has commenced publishing reports on the performance of the service on a quarterly basis, with the first such report having been published on the Department’s website earlier this year.
The report can be accessed on the Department’s website at - https://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/JobPath-performance-report-January-2017.pdf.
It is intended to publish the next report on the department’s website within the next fortnight.
Given that only a small number of people have completed their full engagement period with the service these results can only be treated as indicative, nevertheless they are encouraging.
With regard to the number of JobPath service delivery locations operated by the providers: currently the service is being delivered in 91 locations through a mix of full time, part time and outreach outlets. The following table provides a breakdown of JobPath Service delivery locations by provider and by county.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
County |
Contractor |
Locations |
Total |
|
Carlow |
Turas Nua |
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
Seetec |
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
Turas Nua |
Ennis, Kilrush |
2 |
|
Cork |
Turas Nua |
Cork City, Bandon, Clonakilty, Kinsale, Midleton, Bantry, Macroom,, Skibbereen, , Mallow, Fermoy |
10 |
|
Donegal |
Seetec |
Buncrana, Dungloe, Letterkenny, Carndonagh, Dunfanaghy, Killybegs, Donegal, Ballyshannon |
8 |
|
Dublin |
Seetec |
Amiens Street, Blanchardstown, Navan Road, Bishop Square, Balbriggan, Finglas, Ballymun, Dun Laoghaire, Clondalkin, Ballyfermot, Tallaght, Coolock, Swords |
13 |
|
Galway |
Seetec |
Galway City, Loughrea, Clifden, Tuam, Carraroe, Ballinasloe |
6 |
|
Kerry |
Turas Nua |
Cahirciveen, Dingle, Kenmare, Killarney, Tralee, Listowel |
6 |
|
Kildare |
Turas Nua/Seetec |
Naas, Athy, Maynooth |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
Turas Nua |
Thomastown, Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Laois |
Turas Nua |
Portlaoise |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
Seetec |
Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton |
2 |
|
Limerick |
Turas Nua |
Limerick City, Newcastlewest |
2 |
|
Longford |
Seetec |
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth |
Seetec |
Dundalk, Drogheda |
2 |
|
Mayo |
Seetec |
Castlebar, Ballina, Belmullet |
3 |
|
Meath |
Seetec |
Navan, Kells, Trim |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
Seetec |
Monaghan, Carrickmacross |
2 |
|
Offaly |
Turas Nua/Seetec |
Tullamore, Edenderry, Birr |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
Seetec |
Roscommon, Castlerea |
2 |
|
Sligo |
Seetec |
Sligo, Tubbercurry, |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
Turas Nua |
Thurles, Roscrea, Clonmel, Nenagh, Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
Turas Nua |
Waterford City, Dungarvan |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
Seetec |
Athlone, Mullingar |
2 |
|
Wexford |
Turas Nua |
Wexford, Gorey, New Ross, Enniscorthy |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
Turas Nua |
Bray, Wicklow, Arklow |
3 |
|
Total |
91 |
615. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to have a person on JobPath for 12 months, as opposed to the estimated cost to have a person on Tús for 12 months. [20674/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of February 2017, the estimated average cost to have a person the on the Tús Initiative for twelve months was €15,373.19. This figure includes payments to participants and the supervisory, implementing body and other support costs.
By comparison JobPath is an employment service and all the initial costs are borne by the companies. The JobPath companies are paid fees based on a payment by results model. There are 5 fee types that can be claimed by the JobPath providers, a Registration Fee and 4 Job Sustainment Fees, one for each period of 13 weeks, up to 52 weeks in full-time sustained employment. It should be borne in mind that Job Sustainment Fees are offset by the saving in Jobseekers Allowance payments that would otherwise have been made.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
617. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal which was submitted in September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that an application from this lady for disability allowance (DA) was received by my department on 5 September 2016.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The inspector was in contact with person concerned on occasions previously. At the request of the person concerned, the interview has been rescheduled for early May. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
618. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to have social welfare payments to be made through the post office and discourage receipt of social welfare payments by direct debit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection provides two main payment options for its customers: payments in cash via post offices or payments direct to customer accounts in financial institutions.
The Department intends to continue to offer its clients the choice of being paid in cash at the post office or directly into an account in a financial institution. In certain cases, chiefly short-term unemployed recipients of jobseeker payments, payments are only made via post-offices. It is not proposed to further limit the freedom of customers to be paid directly into a financial institution if they so choose.
The Department of Social Protection pays over €50m per annum to An Post under a contract for cash payment services to welfare customers. This contract, which may be extended up to end December 2019, is very substantial in terms of its reach, value and impact. It demonstrates, in a very real way, the Government’s commitment in the programme for a Partnership Government to support the renewal of the Post Office network through a number of measures including the continued use of the network as a means of paying social welfare payments.
619. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the fines the State currently pays for breach of EU law; the annual amount of each fine; the amount paid to date, the reason for each fine, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State is not currently subject to any fines for breaches of EU law.
The responsibility for transposing EU legislation into Irish law rests with those Departments with responsibility for the policy areas covered by those measures. In this regard, the Government places high priority across Departments on timely transposition of EU legislation to reduce the risks of financial penalties being levied.
620. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he is currently taking regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [19921/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and very substantial resources and time are being devoted to it. This case has had an extraordinary degree of high-level political engagement, investment in terms of person-hours, consultation with third parties worldwide, and consular visits and trial monitoring.
The Government has been doing everything possible to secure his release. We have supported petitions for him to be returned to Ireland under Egyptian Law 140; we have appealed for him to be released under the Egyptian President’s ‘Youth Amnesty’ Scheme, and we have stressed in all contacts the humanitarian dimensions of the case as grounds under which we believe he should be released.
On April 3rd, the Taoiseach once again made direct and personal contact with President el-Sisi to renew the Government’s appeal to the Egyptian authorities to release this Irish citizen and return him to Ireland without delay. This is the Government’s objective, and we are working day-in and day-out to seek to secure that outcome. Both the Taoiseach and I maintain open lines of communication with our Egyptian counterparts.
I have also been doing everything possible to build and maintain international support for this citizen’s cause, including through my regular contacts on the case with EU colleagues and counterparts, including High Representative Mogherini who has been very helpful and supportive in this matter.
The court case in which this man is accused is now moving forward. The relatively short adjournment periods between recent hearings and the progress in those hearings in terms of witness testimony are indications of momentum in the trial process, which is to be welcomed after a very difficult and frustrating period of over three years. My expectation now is that the trial will move towards a conclusion. It is important that there should be no further delays in the process.
President el-Sisi has discretionary powers under the Egyptian constitution and laws which would allow him to order the deportation of Ibrahim to Ireland. However, he has repeatedly said that he cannot consider using these powers while the case remains before the courts. President el-Sisi has consistently made clear to the Government that he is anxious to resolve this issue as soon as he can, and that he will be able to intervene in the case once the trial has ended.
The Irish Government cannot intervene in a case that is before the courts in another jurisdiction. What we can do, and what we are doing, is working constantly to maintain maximum pressure on the Egyptian Government to ensure that they are in no doubt about our wish to see this trial proceeds now to a conclusion and, once it is concluded, that our citizen is returned to Ireland without delay.
We maintain open lines of communication with this citizen’s family and have been keeping family members fully informed of all developments and updates received from the Egyptian authorities. There are regular meeting between the family and senior officials from the Department.
I want to assure the House that we will continue to keep the pressure on Egypt until we get this young man home.
621. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 353 of 24 January 2017, if he will give consideration to the imposition by the State of a boycott of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in view of the customary obligations of non-recognition and non-assistance under international law (details supplied). [19185/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland and the European Union do not recognise as legal or provide assistance to the development of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. We maintain very clearly the position that settlements are illegal, and harmful both to the Palestinian people and to the prospects for peace between Israel and its neighbours.
Ireland has consistently highlighted the issue of settlements in EU and other international discussions, and these issues have been at the centre of my interventions at the Foreign Affairs Council when the Middle East Peace process is discussed.
I was therefore also supportive of the UN Security Council’s recent call on States, in Resolution 2334, to distinguish in their dealings between the territory of Israel and of the occupied territory. This differentiation is something which I have argued for at EU level and, as reported here to the House on many occasions, the EU has taken a number of important steps in that regard in recent years, including in relation to product labelling and EU research funding.
I would be open to considering in principle a proposal that the EU should exclude products from illegal settlements from entering the EU market. However, the inescapable fact is that there is no prospect of such a proposal gaining wider support at present.
622. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the news from Chechnya regarding the arrest, detention and murder of men due to their sexuality; the steps he will take to condemn the treatment of gay men in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19240/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra623. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports of large-scale attacks on and illegal detention of LGBT citizens in Chechnya; if his Department is investigating the reports; and if he will raise the issue with his Russian counterpart. [19270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra626. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports of repression against gay men in Chechnya; if he has made representations to the Russian Federation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19415/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra627. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the allegation that gay men have been detained in prison camps in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra630. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken to address the persecution of gay persons in Chechnya; if he has raised the matter with Russian and or Chechen representatives; and if he has brought proposals to Cabinet to provide refuge for persons that are suffering such persecution. [19784/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra650. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with the Russian Ambassador the allegations published in a newspaper (details supplied) that gay men are being arrested, detained, tortured and killed in the Russian Republic of Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20847/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 622, 623, 626, 627, 630 and 650 together.
I am aware of alarming reports by international human rights organisations and in the media of a campaign of abduction, abuse and ill-treatment of men in the Chechen Republic on the basis of their sexual orientation. If confirmed, these actions would amount to serious violations of fundamental human rights.
In a statement delivered to the Seanad on my behalf by Minister Helen McEntee on 12 April, I joined in the widespread calls for the Russian Government to urgently undertake a full and thorough investigation into these reports and to ensure that any individuals found to have committed crimes be brought to justice. I also emphasised Russia’s international obligations to ensure the safety of all persons who may be at risk of persecution. This call was reiterated by the Irish Ambassador to the Council of Europe at a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 19 April.
The European Union is also pressing the Russian authorities to ensure that the allegations are fully investigated and that those fleeing persecution are given full protection. The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini raised the matter during a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on 24 April. HR Mogherini highlighted the serious concerns of the European Union and its Member states over the allegations and urged the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the rights of the gay community in Chechnya are respected, in line with Russia’s international human rights commitments.
624. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 474 of 11 April 2017, if his Department will make or has made a submission to the Health Insurance Authority review of lifetime community rating in view of the impact on staff of the Department returning here following working abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has made a formal submission to the Health Insurance Authority’s (HIA) review of the Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) legislation, and recently held a follow up meeting with HIA representatives.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has responsibility for the administration of foreign postings for officials from all Government Departments who are assigned to serve the State for periods at our Missions abroad. The Department manages a comprehensive system of supports for these officials and their eligible dependents, including an international health insurance policy.
The introduction of LCR legislation in 2015 has had a significant impact on the operation of this health insurance policy. This is a matter of considerable concern to my Department, and I know to other Departments and State Agencies who assign officials for periods abroad. As a result, officials from my Department have been actively engaged in seeking a solution to the challenges posed, including with the Department of Health, the HIA and other relevant bodies. We now await the outcome of the HIA’s review.
