Written Answers Nos. 285-306
285. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which sponsors for community employment schemes are chosen; the person or body that supervises and ensures best practice for the choosing of sponsors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21553/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of Community Employment (CE) is to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their community.
CE schemes are typically sponsored by groups/organisations wishing to benefit their local community. It has been a long standing requirement in the CE procedures, that the CE sponsor must form a company limited by guarantee with no share capital. All sponsors of CE schemes must adhere to clear procedures and processes, set out by my Department. The DSP Officer must satisfy themselves that a sponsor is in full compliance with all Departmental procedures and regulations.
My Department undertakes periodic Programme & Training Monitoring visits of all CE schemes (at least one per year), in accordance with standard operating procedures. There is also a separate comprehensive monitor carried out on the financial aspects of each CE project every year. It is incumbent on every sponsor to be compliant in all aspects of the operation of CE. Schemes that are found to be non-compliant as a result of a monitoring visit are given an opportunity to rectify any issues arising. My Department reserves the right to terminate the agreement should the sponsor fail to operate and administer the scheme in accordance with the conditions of the Agreement.
I trust this clarifies the mater for the Deputy.
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for family income supplement by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Family Income Supplement (FIS) claim was registered for the person concerned on the 5th April 2017.
No payslips were received at the time of application from the person concerned. These were requested on the 27th April 2017. When the payslips are received, the FIS claim will be processed.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
287. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the implications of the new system introduced by his Department for sponsors and voluntary boards with regard to the Companies Act and the responsibilities of directors for community employment and job initiative schemes; if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed in respect of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21557/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to modernising its service delivery and developing systems to support its functions. Responsibility for Community Employment (CE) transferred from FÁS to my Department in January 2012 and continued to be delivered on a SOLAS IT platform. The CE programme is now being integrated onto my Department’s IT infrastructure. This will have a positive impact for CE sponsors as it will ease the administrative burden and improve operational processing. It will have no implications for sponsors in the context of the Companies Act.
This new service is already being used by sponsors in the Dublin South area and my Department have not been advised of any issues to date. Customer service is at the centre of my Department’s strategies and business and we will continue to develop and extend the range of online services in line with the service delivery modernisation programme.
I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for jobseeker's allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21605/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for jobseeker’s allowance in the case of the person concerned is currently being processed. The person concerned submitted an application for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim and was awarded payment with effect from 3/5/17. She will be informed of the outcome of her jobseeker’s allowance application as soon as it has been processed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of a disability allowance; the reason a basic supplementary welfare payment has been refused in the interim, in view of the fact that they are only in receipt of a subsistence payment for a SOLAS course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21625/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady submitted an application for disability allowance on 13 October 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 12 January 2017 and of her rights of review and appeal. No request for a review or an appeal of this decision was received.
This lady applied for supplementary welfare payment on 11 October 2016. The application, based upon the information available, was refused as the person in question is a full time student and is not taking part in an approved education scheme. The Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2015 Section 190(1) refers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
290. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection when the review on conditions and criteria for State pension entitlement and eligibility will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21722/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Pensions Framework (2010) proposed that a “Total Contributions Approach” (TCA) should replace the yearly average approach, for new pensioners from 2020. The aim of this approach is to make the rate of contributory pension more closely match contributions made by a person. Officials of my Department are currently working on the detailed development of the TCA with a view to making proposals for consideration later in the year. This is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical elements in its implementation.
Following completion of the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund later this year, a refined proposal will be developed. My Department will conduct a period of consultation with relevant stakeholders including interest groups, representative bodies and the Oireachtas. Following the consultation period, I will submit a proposal to Government seeking approval of the new approach.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
291. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take to remove the discriminatory eligibility for the State pension which mainly affects women that had a break in employment service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21723/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating the rate of pension entitlement. Entitlement is banded, with the maximum rate payable to those with a yearly average of 48-52 contributions, and the minimum rate payable to those with a yearly average in the range of 10-14 contributions per year. Even if someone has only 10 years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they would generally qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances, and it will not always be their most advantageous payment to claim, particularly if they qualify for a full-rate State pension (non-contributory).
The homemaker’s scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for State pension contributory (SPC) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or incapacitated people, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being calculated for pension purposes. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which the person’s contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average, making it easier for them to qualify for a maximum rate SPC. It does not involve the award of credits.
From September 2012, new rate bands for State Pension contributory were introduced. These additional payment rate bands more accurately reflect the social insurance history of a person and ensure that those who contributed to the Social Insurance Fund more frequently during their working life will, generally, benefit more in retirement than those who made less frequent contributions. People who qualify for a lower contributory pension as a result, but who have an income need, may still claim the means-tested State pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which is 95% that of the State pension contributory.
The National Pensions Framework (2010) proposed that a “Total Contributions Approach” (TCA) should replace the yearly average approach for new pensioners from 2020. The aim of this approach is to make the rate of contributory pension more closely match contributions made by a person. Officials of my Department are currently working on the detailed development of the TCA with a view to making proposals for consideration later in the year. This is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical elements in its implementation. An important element in the final design of the scheme will be the position of people who have gaps in their contribution records for various reasons, and this factor is being considered very carefully in developing this reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
292. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to recruit additional staff to deal with appeals for disability allowance in view of the fact the current period for same is approximately 12 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21770/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, like all Government Departments and agencies, is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
Appeal processing times are kept under constant scrutiny by the Chief Appeals Officer. The Deputy will be aware that significant effort and resources have been devoted in recent years to reducing the length of time taken to finalise an appeal and that as a consequence processing times have improved quite considerably.
The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time-lags involved. However the system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information at all stages. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which require a high level of judgement, and the need to ensure due process and natural justice.
The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times will continue to be a priority for her office.
293. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection the total spend by his Department on legal or other fees in a case (details supplied) arising from an investigation of complaints under Directive 2008/94/EC on the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer and the resultant contractual obligations that derive under the transposition of that directive by the Government, in tabular form; the full breakdown of costs from initiation up to and including the European Court of Justice; the persons or bodies to which they were payable; if another organ of the State was involved or shared in legal or other costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21809/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total spent by my Department on legal and other fees in the specified legal case amounted to €167,784.40. Details of this expenditure are set out in the following table. This expenditure does not include subsequent mediation costs.
|
Body |
Amount |
|
Ernst & Young |
€36,324.82 |
|
Aon Hewitt |
€5,912.61 |
|
Square Mile Consultants |
€119,656.50 |
|
Aon Hewitt /Philip Shier |
€5,890.47 |
|
Total |
€167,784.40 |
The Office of the Chief State Solicitor is involved in the payment of legal costs in respect of this case.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
294. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that avail of rent allowance and RAS payments, by county; and the total payments by county in 2016. [21817/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting some 43,600 recipients for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017.
A county analysis of recipient numbers by county as at December 2016 is provided in the following tabular statement. Expenditure under the scheme for 2016 was some €275 million, a breakdown of this figure on a county basis is not available.
The Deputy will be aware that the strategic policy direction of the Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support with the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, which from 1 March 2017, is available nationwide. In addition to the ongoing transfer of long-term rent supplement recipients to HAP, the majority of new applicants seeking State support towards their rent are being supported by the Local Authorities under HAP rather than rent supplement.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is also administered by the Local Authorities and reporting on this scheme is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Rent Supplement Recipients by County as at end December, 2016
|
County |
Recipients as at December 2016 |
|
CARLOW |
593 |
|
CAVAN |
391 |
|
CLARE |
423 |
|
CORK |
4,958 |
|
DONEGAL |
415 |
|
DUBLIN |
20,561 |
|
GALWAY |
2,506 |
|
KERRY |
1,554 |
|
KILDARE |
2,579 |
|
KILKENNY |
319 |
|
LAOIS |
871 |
|
LEITRIM |
281 |
|
LIMERICK |
954 |
|
LONGFORD |
401 |
|
LOUTH |
859 |
|
MAYO |
1,074 |
|
MEATH |
1,001 |
|
MONAGHAN |
188 |
|
OFFALY |
563 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
566 |
|
SLIGO |
289 |
|
TIPPERARY |
901 |
|
WATERFORD |
590 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1,299 |
|
WEXFORD |
1,960 |
|
WICKLOW |
1,945 |
|
Grand Total |
48,041 |
295. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an additional community employment scheme placement will be allocated to a community centre (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21912/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe activation supports and services available to those who are long term unemployed include work experience and training schemes such as Community Employment (CE), TÚS, Gateway and Rural Social Scheme (RSS).
In this case, the primary sponsor, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Gaoth Barra has 25 CE participant places and one supervisor position. The Halla Naomh Bride project, which is attached to this project, currently has one CE placement assigned to a caretaker position.
A second CE position as an office worker was previously allocated to Halla Naomh Bride, however, as this position could not be filled at that time Udaras na Gaeltachta reallocated this additional position within their overall project allocation. This position was not revoked by the Department.
If the sponsor now wishes to allocate this position to Halla Naomh Bride they should contact their local Development Officer to make the necessary arrangements.
296. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have a decision in relation to an application for a domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21913/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from this gentleman on the 10th November 2016. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A letter issued to him on 24th February 2017 outlining the decision.
A request for a review of this decision was received on 7th March 2017, along with additional information on the child’s condition/care needs. The application will be re-examined by a deciding officer and a revised decision will be made if warranted. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as it is completed. Currently, such reviews can take up to 15 weeks to complete.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
297. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have a decision in relation to an application for carer's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s benefit from the person concerned on 18 April 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.
298. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a person's (details supplied) disability claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a successful appeal, the person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 18 May 2016. The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 24 May 2017.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
299. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of Defence Forces personnel that received family income supplement in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [21988/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Income Supplement (FIS) is an in-work support, which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. FIS is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependants and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. There are currently over 57,000 families with almost 127,000 children in receipt of FIS. The estimated spend on FIS this year is approximately €422 million.
To qualify for FIS, a person must be engaged in full-time insurable employment, which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is supported by them. Furthermore, the average family income must be below a specified amount, which varies according to the number of qualified children in the family.
According to FIS data as of week ending Fri 6 May 2017 there are currently 117 customers in receipt of FIS recorded under the occupational code covering members of the defence forces.
The figures for families in receipt of FIS for previous years as requested by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Year |
No of Families |
|
2013 |
49 |
|
2014 |
94 |
|
2015 |
127 |
|
2016 |
124 |
For the purposes of consistency it is important to note that the figures above are based on the amount of families in receipt of FIS at week 52 of the relevant year, as such the figures may go up or down depending on the week in the year.
300. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Defence Force personnel in receipt of family income supplement or any other social protection payment, indicating which payments, in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22002/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Income Supplement (FIS) is an in-work support, which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. FIS is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependants and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. There are currently over 57,000 families with almost 127,000 children in receipt of FIS. The estimated spend on FIS this year is approximately €422 million.
To qualify for FIS, a person must be engaged in full-time insurable employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is supported by them. Furthermore, the average family income must be below a specified amount, which varies according to the number of qualified children in the family.
According to FIS data as of week ending Fri 6 May 2017 there are currently 117 customers in receipt of FIS recorded under the occupational code covering members of the Defence Forces.
The figures for families in receipt of FIS for previous years as requested by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Year |
No. Of Families |
|
2013 |
49 |
|
2014 |
94 |
|
2015 |
127 |
|
2016 |
124 |
For the purposes of consistency it is important to note that the figures above are based on the amount of families in receipt of FIS at week 52 of the relevant year, as such the figures may go up or down depending on the week in the year.
Figures of the number of Defence Force personnel in receipt of other social welfare payments are currently not available.
301. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount his Department estimates it will pay to companies engaged under the JobPath programme for the duration of the relevant contracts; the amount which has been expended to date; the number of persons these companies have activated into full-time employment by county, in tabular form; his plans to review these contracts as the State continues to move towards full employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the State’s Public Employment Service is managed by my Department and delivered directly by its own Intreo service as well as by contracted private companies, such as JobPath, Local Employment Service (LES) and Job Club providers. These services have been designed by the Department to augment and complement one another, to ensure the best outcomes possible for jobseekers.
The JobPath element of the service is being delivered through a payment by results model which means that the companies will not be able to fully recover their cost unless they are successful in supporting sufficient numbers of jobseekers into full time paid sustainable employment. The contract in place for the delivery of the service is split into two phases: during the first phase jobseekers may be referred to the service while phase two allows for a run off period during which referrals cease, but jobseekers who were successfully placed into employment will continue to receive support and advice.
The cost of the JobPath service, over the term of the contract, will therefore be determined by a combination of factors such as a) the number of jobseekers on the live register b) the profile of jobseekers on the live register (higher fees may apply the longer a jobseeker is on the live register), the number of people who are referred to the service by the department and critically the number of Jobseekers who are successfully placed into sustainable full time paid employment.
Payments are made to the companies in respect of an initial registration fee, paid on completion of a personal progression plan, and thereafter fees are only paid for sustained employment (job sustainment fees) outcomes of 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks duration.
The amount paid in fees, is as follows:
- up to the end of 2016 € 28.5m.
- up to the end of March 2017 €13.5 m.
The outline estimate for the service in 2017 is € 65m - it is not anticipated that this sum will be exceeded in 2018 or 2019. However, it is important to note that these estimates in themselves are gross figures i.e. the associated savings in social welfare payments have not been deducted: job sustainment fee payments are only made were a jobseeker has obtained and sustained paid employment of 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks duration and were s/he is not in receipt of a jobseekers related payment during that period.
In relation to your inquiry on the number of people activated in to full time employment, 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 therefore 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. With this in mind, it is intended that an econometric evaluation of the service will commence at the end of 2017.
The Department has however 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"
I can confirm that the next performance report will be available on the Department website in the next week or so.
In managing the State’s public employment service the Department seeks to provide the greatest level of support possible for jobseekers, with the combination of the introduction of JobPath and the welcome significant reduction in the live register in recent years. The Department for example was able to refocus the LES element of the service to provide an enhanced level of service for jobseekers in 2016 and in 2017. I can assure the Deputy that my Department keeps under continual review the level of service provided to its customers both in term of social welfare provision and activation measures.
I trust this information addresses the matters raised by the Deputy.
302. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the anti-fraud savings made by his Department through control measures for 2016; the number of reports made by the public to his Department of suspected false welfare claims in 2016; the number of those claims which were valid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the budget allocated for the current publicity campaign being carried out by his Department calling on the public to report suspected false welfare claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.
Nearly 950,000 entitlement reviews and investigations were conducted across the Department’s schemes in 2016. These reviews yielded €506 million in control savings for the year. Reviews and investigations of entitlements are conducted by social welfare staff, social welfare inspectors and inspectors assigned to the Special Investigations Unit and a combination of desk-based assessment of entitlements, direct enquiries with recipients of social welfare payments, site and employer visits and face-to-face interviews are used.
The value of savings recorded by staff for the year 2016 was €506m. Savings are calculated when a social welfare claim is reduced in value or terminated following a review or investigation initiated by the Department. Control savings do not include any element where the customer voluntarily told the Department of changes in their means or circumstances which resulted in a reduction in the rate of payment or termination of the claim. Departmental error cases are also excluded from the savings figure.
The basis of the savings calculated is scheme specific. The nature of the scheme is taken into account - in particular whether it is short-term (e.g. jobseeker’s benefit or supplementary welfare allowance) or more long-term (e.g. State Pension Contributory/Non-Contributory). Also taken into account is the length of time a person who has a claim reduced or terminated is expected to remain off a particular scheme or at the reduced rate of payment.
Over 18,700 reports of suspected social welfare fraud were made by members of the public last year. All reports are received on an anonymous and confidential basis. While the Department does not track the outcome of the individual allegations of wrongdoing received, internal assurance checking indicates that around 1 in 3 reports received results in the value of the payment made being reduced or terminated.
The cost of the advertising campaign is €165,988 excluding VAT. It includes all design and advertising costs associated with the campaign (print advertising, national and regional radio advertising, outdoor and online/digital advertising). No additional costs arise in staff resources, website development or the provision of the telephone reporting facility.
I hope this clarifies the matters for the Deputy.
304. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a jobseeker's application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22039/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Letterkenny Intreo Centre has advised that the person concerned was issued a cheque payment on 2nd May 2017 for the total amount of jobseekers benefit due to her for the Easter holiday period.
305. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to treat the rural social scheme solely as a labour activation mechanism as opposed to its original role when introduced in 2004 as a support for part-time farmers and fishermen (details supplied); his views on whether this will spell the end of social supports for members of the farming and fishing industry who wish to remain in that industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22075/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to address a situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22076/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative which provides part-time employment opportunities in community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishermen who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and underemployed in their primary occupation. The RSS is a supplementary income support scheme and is not designed as an employment activation scheme.
I have seen at first-hand myself from visits to various schemes throughout the country in recent months how programmes like the RSS deliver both for participants and for their communities.
The Government’s commitment to these programmes is clearly demonstrated by the announcement of the additional 500 RSS places in Budget 2017, the first increase in places since 2006. These additional places were rolled out with effect from 1st February 2017 increasing the overall number of places to 3,100. This measure, allied with my reversal of the previous cuts to Farm Assist, is evident of this Government’s commitment to rural Ireland.
Since 1st February 2017, all new participants commencing on the RSS have to be over 25 years of age and a 6 year overall participation limit also applies. It should be noted that prior to the introduction of the six year participation limit, almost 50% of the participants were on RSS for over 10 years. The new measure will, therefore, ensure that places become available to provide opportunities for other farmers and fishermen to take part in the scheme. Income support will still be available to eligible farmers and fishermen who are not on the RSS in the form of Farm or Fish Assist.
RSS participants who commenced on the scheme prior to 1st February 2017 will remain on the scheme as long as they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions of the scheme.
The RSS is managed by 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) and by Údarás Na Gaeltachta who are the employers of the supervisors and participants. The setting of terms and conditions of supervisors employed to support RSS participants are matters for each LDC whose representative body is the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN). Each supervisor has a contract of employment with the partnership company, in line with statutory requirements.
The Department has, over the past number of months, been aware of the concerns of RSS supervisors about their terms and conditions of employment and, in particular, their pay rate. While any issues regarding the terms and conditions of RSS supervisors are a matter for ILDN and the LDCs, the Department is conscious of the role it plays in terms of the funding that it provides to the companies for the programme. The Department has, therefore, informed ILDN that it is willing to provide funding to implement a pay scale for supervisors in return for some productivity-related benefits. This issue is now with ILDN and the LDCs to progress as the employers of the RSS supervisors.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy
