Written Answers Nos. 263-284
263. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection his short and long-term plans for the community employment and employment services and programmes, with particular reference to their benefits in rural areas; his plans for an increase or reduction in places on programmes in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21395/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the economic recovery takes hold and the overall level of unemployment continues to fall, the need to adapt employment programmes such as Community Employment (CE) to the changing circumstances, has become more apparent. With this in mind, my Department undertook an analysis of CE, which also looked at the other employment programmes. In this context, it is should also be borne in mind that the Government strongly supports the work being done through CE and the other employment programmes.
I have seen first-hand myself, over recent months, the vital role such schemes are playing in local communities, including supporting social services, across the entire country.
Recently the Government approved the implementation of a number of changes to the terms and conditions of participation on CE. The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register and to standardise other conditions around the length of time a person can participate on the programme.
The changes I am planning to introduce will see the general qualifying age for CE for those on the live register reduced from 25 to 21 years. It will also be easier for previous participants, who have exhausted their CE entitlement, to requalify as participation prior to 2007 will be disregarded. While participants between 21 and 55 years on CE will be entitled to one year on the programme, this can be extended by up to 2 more years if they are engaged in a recognised training or education award that is helping them progress towards employment. All CE participants age 55 and over will be able to avail of 3 consecutive years on a CE scheme up to the overall limit of 6 years from 2007 (7 years if on a disability payment).
I have also agreed to review the current participation limits for older people on CE within the next three months. As the Deputy will be aware, participation limits are necessary to allow for the utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons to ensure the benefits of CE are available to the widest possible number of jobseekers.
My Department keeps all aspects of its activation programmes under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants. As part of the implementation of the new measures, my Department is currently consulting with key stakeholders across the country.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
264. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of State maternity benefit payments; the average waiting time for an initial decision to be made on an application; and the average waiting times experienced from the initial decision to payment commencing. [21421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra265. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have been deemed successful in their application for State maternity benefit who are still currently awaiting an initial payment; the length of time these persons have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21422/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on media reports of a backlog in payment and application for State maternity benefit payment; the extent of the backlog; his plans to address this matter; and when the backlog will be cleared. [21423/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 264 to 266, inclusive, together.
There are approximately 18,500 claimants in receipt of maternity benefit payment at present.
Currently there are over 2,850 claims for maternity benefit waiting to be processed. Just over 1,300 of these have a leave commencement date of 8th May 2017 or earlier. Maternity benefit claims are processed in leave commencement date order. The average time to process a paper claim is 6 weeks. Processing claims by leave commencement date order ensures that those whose maternity leave is impending or has already started receive priority. Once a decision is made and the claim has been awarded, and where the leave has already commenced, payment issues on the following Monday and this payment will also include any arrears due to the customer at that point.
To alleviate delays, additional staff have been assigned and staff are working overtime. I want to assure customers that every effort is being made to ensure all claims are processed as quickly as possible.
The Department also facilitates online applications for maternity benefit and an automated decision is made where the customer submits all necessary information and where the detail provided can be validated. I would ask the Deputy to encourage women who are planning maternity leave to use this channel, if possible, as it provides the most effective method of applying for maternity benefit.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
267. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have applied for each social welfare payment from January 2017 to date in 2017, in tabular form; the number of persons awaiting a decision in respect of each payment; the average waiting time for an initial decision to be made in respect of each payment; the actual waiting times experienced by persons in respect of each payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21424/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information (where available) requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement:
Number of claims registered by scheme 1 January to 31 March 2017
|
Schemes |
Registered |
Pending 31/03/2017 |
Average time to award (weeks) March |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
35,147 |
2,739 |
1 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
40,959 |
6,962 |
2 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
3,005 |
1,066 |
5 |
|
State Pension Contributory (Dom) |
10,109 |
3,346 |
5 |
|
State Pension Transition (Dom) |
24 |
24 |
Not Available |
|
Widow, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partners Contributory Pension |
2,260 |
324 |
1 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
270 |
15 |
1 |
|
Living Alone/Island Allowances |
3,664 |
554 |
Not Applicable |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
2,729 |
1,913 |
11 |
|
Household Benefits |
20,395 |
3,007 |
2 |
|
Free Travel |
17,521 |
13 |
2 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
2,229 |
2,035 |
15 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
46,856 |
3,617 |
1 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA) |
9,139 |
1,553 |
3 |
|
Child Benefit (EU Regulation) |
922 |
1,143 |
32 |
|
Child Benefit (Over 16) |
13,848 |
1,082 |
Not Available |
|
Child Benefit (Additional Child) |
8,804 |
16 |
Not Available |
|
Treatment Benefit |
169,677 |
24,189 |
Not Available |
|
Maternity Benefit |
11,544 |
4,644 |
Not Applicable |
|
Paternity Benefit |
6,829 |
1,079 |
Not Applicable |
|
Family Income Supplement (New) |
7,312 |
2,630 |
3 |
|
Family Income Supplement (Renew) |
12,521 |
1,019 |
Not Available |
|
Carer's Allowance |
6,241 |
2,842 |
11 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
884 |
312 |
Not Available |
|
Disability Allowance |
6,263 |
5,603 |
12 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
2,716 |
1,870 |
7 |
|
Illness Benefit |
57,283 |
4,513 |
Not Available |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
3,545 |
117 |
Not Available |
|
Total |
502,696 |
78,227 |
268. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and when a decision will be made. [21449/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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 position for the Deputy.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of weeks a person (details supplied) was alleged to have been overpaid; the exact level of their authorised weekly allowance during the period of alleged overpayment; the exact period during which overpayment is alleged to have occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from 5/8/2010 to 2/11/2011 pending the outcome of a jobseeker’s allowance application. Carer’s allowance was also paid to the person concerned during this time. This resulted in an overlap of payments for 65 weeks. The total amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to the person concerned during this period was €16,411.
The weekly rates of carer’s allowance awarded for the period in question is as follows:
|
TYPE |
RATE |
FROM |
TO |
TOTAL |
|
Basic |
€212 |
5/8/10 |
5/1/11 |
€ 4,664 |
|
IQC |
€89 |
5/8/10 |
5/1/11 |
€ 1,967 |
|
Basic |
€204 |
6/1/11 |
2/11/11 |
€ 8,772 |
|
IQC |
€89 |
6/1/11 |
2/11/11 |
€ 3,844 |
|
RCG 2011 |
€1700 |
2/6/11 |
8/6/11 |
€ 1,700 |
|
€20,947 |
The authorised payment for the period concerned is carer’s allowance. Governing legislation provides that carer’s allowance cannot be paid in conjunction with jobseeker’s allowance and a resulting overpayment was incurred for the above mentioned period for the total amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21578/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for Carer's Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 18 August 2016. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least 12 months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied. The person concerned was also refused carer’s allowance on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care and attention as required.
The person concerned was notified on 28 February 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
271. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who received the carer's support grant in 2016; the expenditure on the grant in 2016; the number of persons who have received the grant to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21582/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvisional expenditure for 2016 on the Carer’s Support Grant was €172.3m, which represents payment of just under 101,400 grants. The grant was paid at €1,700 in respect of each person being cared for.
It is anticipated that about 106,400 grants will be paid this year, resulting in expenditure of €180.9m. Expenditure to end-March 2017 was just under €3.7m. While payment of the grant is made throughout the year about 90% of all payments are made on the 1st Thursday in June to carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance.
272. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of allowing lone parents in employment whose children are aged between seven and 14 years of age to receive both the jobseeker's transition payment and family income supplement if they meet the qualifying criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21583/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker’s transitional payment (JST) is available to lone parents (both former one-parent family payment recipients and new lone parents), who have a youngest child aged 7 to 13 years inclusive. These customers are exempt from the jobseeker’s allowance conditions that require them to be available for, and genuinely seeking, full-time work.
While it is a condition of the JST scheme that recipients must continue to parent alone, this is not a qualifying condition of the family income supplement (FIS) and so this information is not maintained for FIS recipients. From the data currently available on household composition within the FIS scheme, it is not possible to determine which FIS recipients, who are also lone parents, would satisfy the eligibility criteria to qualify for a JST payment. It is therefore not possible to provide an accurate costing of extending the payment of FIS to JST recipients.
Budget 2017 contained several measures which benefited JST recipients. These included the 85% Christmas Bonus, which was paid to JST recipients in early December 2016 and the increase in the weekly earnings disregard for JST recipients from €90 to €110. This increase came into effect in early January 2017. JST recipients also benefited from the €5 weekly increase in social welfare payments which came into effect in March 2017.
273. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on the household benefits package in 2016; the projected expenditure in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21584/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to carers and people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. Widows and widowers aged from 60 to 65 whose late spouses had been in receipt of the household benefits package retain that entitlement.
The expenditure on the household benefits package for 2016 was €218 million and my Department expects to spend approximately €232 million this year for over 426,000 customers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
274. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of advocates employed in the national advocacy service for persons with disabilities; the ratio of advocates to persons with a disability nationally; the full-year cost of running the service; the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of advocates by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21585/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) provides an independent, confidential and free issues-based representative advocacy service that works exclusively for the person using the service and adheres to the highest professional standards. NAS has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services or have limited informal or natural supports.
NAS operates with the following staffing complement:
|
National Manager |
Senior Advocates |
Advocates |
Regional Managers |
Administrators |
Corporate Services Manager |
|
1 |
7 |
28 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
The most recent reported figures (Census 2011) show that 13% (595,335) of people reported having a disability. Applying that finding to the most recent overall population figures available (Census 2016) suggests there could be 618,537 people reporting to have a disability. Therefore, the ratio of NAS advocates to the 2016 estimate of people with disabilities nationally is 1:17,672.
However, not all persons with a disability require the services of a NAS advocate. In 2016, 2,152 people engaged with NAS for advocacy services. Of these, 1,152 received once off information, advice and advocacy, with the remainder being casework. Therefore, the ratio of advocates to people who engaged with the service is 1:62. In addition, the NAS national helpline received 2,000 calls in 2016.
NAS is fully funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has a mandate under the Citizens Information Act 2007 to provide advocacy for people with disabilities. The NAS operational grant from the Citizens Information Board for 2017 is €3.1 million. Based on 2017 costs, the following table shows the estimated cost if the number of advocates (including senior advocates) was increased by certain percentages, as requested by the Deputy.
|
Increase in number of advocates |
5% |
10% |
15% |
20% |
|
Full year cost |
€3,209,817 |
€3,316,590 |
€3,423,362 |
€3,530,135 |
These figures include estimated overheads (rent, light, heating) based on current costs and salaries based on an average salary points of both advocate and senior advocate roles. Additional administrative or managerial costs that may result are not included.
It is noteworthy that advocacy services are also provided by the nationwide network of Citizens Information Services (CIS), also funded and supported by CIB. CIS provides free, impartial and confidential information to the public on a range of social and public services. CIS supports clients, including those who may have a disability, to act on their own behalf wherever possible (self-advocacy). CIS also advocates directly on behalf of clients.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
275. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of reinstating the bereavement grant to 2013 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21586/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent Budgets my Department has protected primary social welfare rates. Abolishing the bereavement grant provided a significant annual saving and allowed my Department to protect other core social welfare payments such as the State pension.
The number of bereavement grant claims in 2013 was 23,716, and this represented an increase of approximately 4% on 2012. Based on a similar yearly increase each year since 2013, it is estimated that the number of bereavement grant claims that might arise in 2018, were the scheme to be reintroduced, would be in the region of 28,858, with that number likely to increase in future years. The estimated cost of reintroducing the grant at a rate of €850 for 28,858 recipients would be €24.53 million.
Any decision to reinstate the Bereavement Grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
It’s worth noting that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the grant. These include weekly-paid widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off widowed or surviving civil partner grant of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. In Budget 2016, the Government increased the payment after death period to 12 weeks for carer’s allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
Additionally, the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. Under the SWA scheme, the Department of Social Protection 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 from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. The Government has provided €31.5 million for exceptional and urgent needs payments in 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
276. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of restoring the telephone allowance to 2013 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21587/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 426,000 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 nearly 4% per annum.
In 2013 the value of the telephone allowance was €114.00 per annum. Therefore, the cost of restoring the allowance at 2013 levels in 2018 is estimated to be in the region of €50 million per annum.
The Government is keenly aware of the impact of Budget decisions on the Department’s clients, and strives to ensure 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 has increased 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. The value of these increases is well in excess of the value of the telephone allowance previously provided.
Any decision to restore the telephone allowance would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations. In the previous two Budgets, the Government has concentrated resources on increasing the rate of the pension, rather than on the Household Benefits package.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
277. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to further extend social insurance benefits to the self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21588/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government is committed to improving the position of people who are self-employed generally, including the commitment to extend PRSI coverage for self-employed people. As part of Budget 2017, I introduced a number of important measures which will benefit self-employed people, namely the extension of cover in 2017 for treatment benefits and invalidity pension.
I have already indicated my intention to examine the further extension of benefits to self-employed people. In doing this I will take account of the recently published results of a survey of self-employed workers and of the forthcoming actuarial review of the social insurance fund.
The results of the survey of self-employed workers, which I published last week, indicate that the main benefits to which self-employed people would like access are long-term illness, short-term illness and unemployment benefits. It also indicated that self-employed people are open to paying a higher rate of social insurance in return for additional benefits.
Work is currently underway on the actuarial review of the social insurance fund by independent actuaries. Their work will include an examination of the cost of extending individual benefits self-employed people.
Together these two reports will inform the development of benefits for self-employed people and I hope to be in a position to announce further changes later this year.
278. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the new working family payment being developed by his Department; the way he envisages that this payment will differ from family income supplement (FIS); if this payment will be complementary to FIS or will replace it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21589/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a number of commitments to improve the take-home pay of families on low incomes. One such commitment is the proposed “working family payment” targeted at low-income families.
My Department’s approach to developing the working family payment will be guided by two principles. First, that it should ensure that work pays and that no family is better off on welfare than at work, and, second, though equally important, that it have a positive effect on child poverty.
An open call for submissions on the Working Family Payment was issued on the Department’s website. An Interdepartmental Working Group is in place to assist the work of my officials in developing proposals. This work is being informed by the consultation process.
Considerable work and analysis needs to be completed along with the consultation. My officials are working on an options paper on different proposals. When this process is complete I intend to share the paper with the Oireachtas Joint Committee. These proposals do not include plans to abolish, reduce or remove the Family Income Supplement from any working family.
279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider reinstating the community employment scheme material grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach Community Employment (CE) scheme has an individually set weekly materials rate per participant based on a detailed appraisal of their actual annual expenditure levels in previous years. All consumable services and materials necessary for the effective operation of the project will normally be considered. For materials to be allowable, they must be for the use of the participants and specifically relate to the tasks approved for the project. All expenditure must be accounted and vouched for by way of receipts. It is the responsibility of the CE scheme sponsor to ensure that they have obtained the best price and that they have achieved value for money. It should be noted that the materials grant for CE was never revoked.
If a CE scheme is experiencing particular difficulties with materials funding, they should contact their local DSP Intreo office with any concerns they have in that regard.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
280. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Turas Nua is requesting the details of some persons' new employers when it had no input into securing the position. [21719/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobPath is an approach to employment activation that will support people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment.
While customers are participating with JobPath they receive intensive individual support to help them address barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned to a personal adviser who will assess a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals. A “personal progression plan” will be drawn up that will include a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets. Participants are also provided with a range of training and development supports including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. They may also be referred for further education and training opportunities.
The JobPath Providers are also contracted to provide in-work support to the customers for at least three months and up to twelve months while they remain in employment. The customer is not under any obligation to provide employment details to the JobPath provider but if they wish to do so and avail of the in-employment support offered, all information will be treated confidentially.
In regard to the particular circumstances that the Deputy sets out, if the Deputy would supply the details of the persons concerned, I will undertake to have the matter examined further.
281. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection the pay agreement under which supervisors on community employment schemes currently operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21546/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage pay rise since 2008 for supervisors in community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21548/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 283 together.
My Department provides grant aid to Community Employment (CE) schemes for the employment of supervisors. CE supervisors are not employed by my Department – rather they are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector.
The Deputy should note that, in the past, CE supervisors have benefited from pay increases linked to all phases of Benchmarking, Sustaining Progress (Parts 1 and 2) and Towards 2016 (all 4 phases). It is also worth noting that CE supervisors have experienced no reduction in pay over recent years as a result of other public sector pay adjustments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
282. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the issues raised in correspondence from members of Monaghan County Council (details supplied); if he will respond to the county councillors; his plans to place a Government building in Ballybay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21547/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI discussed this matter at a meeting with the local Oireachtas Members and Councillors from the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District on Wednesday 5th October 2016. It is not proposed to open an Intreo Centre or Government building in Ballybay, or to relocate one of the Department’s agencies there. However, I will continue to be fully supportive of any initiatives that will boost employment opportunities – be they from public or private sector- for the people in the Ballybay area in the future.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
284. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection the pension entitlements for supervisors in community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21551/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) participants and supervisors are not employed by my Department – rather they are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector. Given that situation, the State is not responsible for funding pension arrangements for such employees even where the companies in question are reliant on State funding. It is open to individuals to make provision for a pension by way of PRSA which all employers are obliged to facilitate.
Nevertheless, the issue of CE supervisors’ pension provision is currently being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum under the auspices and chairmanship of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is represented on this group, as are IMPACT, SIPTU, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government and Pobal. The Forum last met on 7 April, 2017 and I understand that its work is ongoing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
