Written Answers Nos 2000-2020
2000. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider in the forthcoming budget and Estimates process allowing a person's contributory pension to be based on their best 40 years of contributions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26983/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure on pensions, at approximately €7.3 billion, is the largest block of expenditure in my Department, representing some 37% of its expenditure. Demographic change alone will increase this by over €220 million this year. Maintaining the rate of the State pension is critical to protecting older people from poverty.
There are two State pensions related to reaching state pension age. 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.
In Ireland, as in other countries, the contributory pension is primarily aimed at people with sustained contributions towards the Social Insurance Fund which finances it, on a pay as you go basis, and rewards such contributions with greater entitlements and coverage for a range of benefits, including contributory pension entitlements. 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.
To amend the Yearly Average calculation in such a way that would result in higher pension rates for a significant number of pensioners would, in turn, carry a significant Exchequer cost, and reduce the scope for future pension rate increases. Such a decision could only be made in the context of the budgetary process.
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 in the calculation of the pensioners yearly average. This may have the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, which is used to set the rate of their pension, and may in turn qualify them for a higher rate of payment. The disregard does not involve the award of credits, and entitlements are still subject to the standard qualifying conditions for State pension contributory also being satisfied, including a minimum of 520 paid contributions being paid before reaching pension age.
This scheme was not introduced retrospectively for periods prior to its introduction. 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 increase in 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 an alternative 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.
For example, a person with a yearly average of 20 contributions paid or credited per year may qualify for a reduced rate SPC of €202.80. However, they can instead be paid a higher amount through the non-contributory pension, unless their means are over €52.50 per week (or €105 for a married couple), at a minimum payment rate of €204.50 (maximum rate is €227), which would bring their total personal means (including their pension) to over €257 per week. Their household means test ignores their spouse’s state pension, the capital value of their home, and has generous income and capital asset disregards, where applicable. This minimum of €257 doesn’t include rent allowance, household benefits or fuel allowance. It is also higher than the €238.30 received by a person solely dependent upon a maximum rate State pension (contributory), who would receive no benefit from any change to the method of calculation of contributory pension entitlements. In fact they would experience a loss if such a change was financed by reducing the core rate of the State pension, or by moderating increases in the future.
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.
2001. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if as part of the forthcoming budget and Estimates process she will consider reversing the amount of a State contributory pension a person can receive in their personal rate to the bands that were in existence prior to budget 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26984/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year more people are living to pension age and living longer in retirement. As a result of this demographic change, the number of State pension recipients is increasing year on year. This has significant implications for the future costs of State pension provision, and demographic change alone is expected to increase spending on pensions by over €220 million this year, not including the impact of rate increases.
The current rate bands applying to the State pension (contributory) were introduced from September 2012, replacing previous rates introduced in 2000. These rate bands more accurately reflect the social insurance contributions history of a person.
It is estimated that to revert to the previous bands would result in an annual cost at least €60 million in 2018, and this annual cost would increase by an estimated €10 million each following year as a greater number of pensioners qualify under the current rules, i.e. €70 million in 2019 etc. The main beneficiaries from such a decision would be better off pensioners who do not qualify for means-tested pension payments, and who did not make sufficient contributions into the Social Insurance Fund to qualify for a full rate contributory pension.
Prior to the introduction of the current rate bands, a person reaching retirement age with a yearly average of 47 contributions (out of a maximum of 52) qualified for the same rate of payment as someone with a yearly average of 20 contributions, despite their much more significant PRSI contribution record, and regardless of their means. A person with the maximum of 52 weeks of contributions paid every year of their working life received a weekly State pension of only €4.50 more than someone with a yearly average of 20 PRSI contributions.
Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives cannot qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. 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, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate. The rate of payment does not include rent allowance, household benefits or fuel allowance, which would be additional payments where applicable.
The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund in 2012 confirmed that the Fund provides better value to female rather than male contributors. This is due to the redistributive nature of the Fund.
Any potential improvements for pensioners in the next Budget will be considered in the context of the available resources for pensions and other social protection payments.
More generally, 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.
2002. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons over 66 years of age in receipt of a State pension; the number of persons in respect of whom the qualified allowance is being paid; the estimated number of persons over 66 years of age that are not in receipt of a payment from the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26985/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of persons over 66 years of age in receipt of a State pension; the number of persons in respect of whom the qualified allowance is being paid is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
With regard to the estimated number of persons over 66 years of age that are not in receipt of a payment from the State is not collated by my Department. However, this information may be captured by the Central Statistics Office, which is under the auspices of the Department of an Taoiseach, in their Quarterly National Household Survey.
Tabular statement attached/…….
Recipients of state pension aged 66 years plus and Qualified dependents at the end of May 2017
|
Scheme |
Number of Recipients over 66 years of age |
Increase for Qualified Adult |
Increase for Qualified Child |
|
State Pension Contributory |
352,486 |
63,267 |
1,890 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
89,536 |
2,593 |
521 |
2003. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position in relation to issuing a clearance letter in respect of a person now deceased (details supplied). [27015/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to issue a letter of clearance, the department requested a schedule of assets of the deceased. The disregard for disability allowance is €50,000. Any amount over the disregard may be assessed and therefore an overpayment may have occurred. In these cases, the file is passed to a social welfare inspector (SWI) to investigate.
The file in this case has been referred to a SWI who will be in contact with the solicitors dealing with the estate of the gentleman concerned. We await the report of the SWI.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2004. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to develop a data collection system to include gender disaggregation on the level of payments across all State pension schemes; if she will include this data in annual statistical reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27039/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the third quarter of 2017, my Department will publish the fourth independent Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund.
The report will include a detailed analysis of the gender breakdown of social welfare pensions.
My Department does not produce an estimate of the number of people aged 66 and over who are not in receipt of a State pension.
2005. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will remove the band changes introduced in 2012 in order to allow those pensions which were reduced by this change of assessment method to be assessed under the pre2012 change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27040/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year more people are living to pension age and living longer in retirement. As a result of this demographic change, the number of State pension recipients is increasing year on year. This has significant implications for the future costs of State pension provision, and demographic change alone is expected to increase spending on pensions by over €220 million this year, not including the impact of rate increases.
The current rate bands applying to the State pension (contributory) were introduced from September 2012, replacing previous rates introduced in 2000. These rate bands more accurately reflect the social insurance contributions history of a person.
It is estimated that to revert to the previous bands would result in an annual cost at least €60 million in 2018 and this annual cost would increase by an estimated €10 million each following year as a greater number of pensioners qualify under the current rules, i.e. €70 million in 2019 etc. The main beneficiaries from such a decision would be better off pensioners who do not qualify for means-tested pension payments, and who did not make sufficient contributions into the Social Insurance Fund to qualify for a full rate contributory pension.
Prior to the introduction of the current rate bands, a person reaching retirement age with a yearly average of 47 contributions (out of a maximum of 52) qualified for the same rate of payment as someone with a yearly average of 20 contributions, despite their much more significant PRSI contribution record, and regardless of their means. A person with the maximum of 52 weeks of contributions paid every year of their working life received a weekly State pension of only €4.50 more than someone with a yearly average of 20 PRSI contributions.
Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives cannot qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. 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, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate. The rate of payment does not include rent allowance, household benefits or fuel allowance, which would be additional payments where applicable.
The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund in 2012 confirmed that the Fund provides better value to female rather than male contributors. This is due to the redistributive nature of the Fund.
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.
2007. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost of delivering disability awareness training to all staff in Intreo offices not already trained in it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27069/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection fully recognises the need to support staff and promote disability awareness. It has been very proactive in the provision of training and supports in this area in recent years, with a very positive response from staff.
The Department supports its staff by offering a suite of disability awareness training including Mental Health and Deaf Awareness, Dealing with Blind Customers and general Disability Awareness. The Department also offers courses in SafeTALK suicide awareness, ASIST suicide prevention and Stress Awareness. These are available to all staff in the Department, including staff in Intreo Offices. Since 2013, over 2,500 staff have attended training courses in these areas. In addition, e-learning courses developed for front line public servants by the National Disability Authority (NDA) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) are freely available online to all staff via the Department’s Staff Development intranet site. Bespoke, ad hoc training can also be procured where required utilising an External Training Budget.
In conjunction with Mental Health Ireland (MHI) and the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS), Mental Health Awareness workshops have been held in a variety of locations since 2013. During that time 406 staff have attended these workshops which included presentations, discussions, case studies and group activities. The workshops provided tools and strategies to enhance mental health and well-being, increase awareness and understanding, and promote the range of formal and informal supports and resources available.
In response to identified needs, stress awareness training was also delivered with the aim of giving staff confidence and control in managing stress and increasing coping strategies. This training is provided on request, with over 1,250 staff participating since 2013.
With assistance from the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), my Department also provides ‘SafeTALK’ training to staff. This programme helps prepare participants to identify people with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. 640 staff have participated in this programme over the last three years. NOSP also provides access to staff from my Department to the more advanced Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) training workshop conducted by the Health Service Executive (HSE). 150 staff have attended this two-day programme which trains participants to reduce the immediate risk of a suicide and increase the support for a person at risk.
My Department also continues to promote awareness among staff by publicising designated awareness days such as World Suicide Prevention Day and World Mental Health Day.
My Department has a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) for its staff with disabilities and their managers. The DLO offers support and promotes awareness of disability issues and services among staff, whilst also facilitating the Department’s active participation in the Irish Association for Supported Employment’s Job Shadow Initiative and AHEAD's Willing Able Mentoring Programme. This Training Officer has attended AsIAm’s Public Sector Training Programme on Autism-Friendly Practises, the NDA’s Seminar on Alternative & Inclusive Routes to Employment for People with Disabilities and the NCBI’s Seminar on Bridging the Information Gap and has disseminated information from these seminars to Departmental staff. The Department also provides translation, interpretive and Irish Sign Language services as required and is committed to the provision of information in alternative formats where feasible.
Induction and orientation training highlights the range of Departmental supports and grant-aid available for both staff and clients with disabilities. These include employment supports for jobseekers with disabilities such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme, EmployAbility Services and the Reasonable Accommodation Fund, in addition to the Employee Assistance Service.
During 2016, in the context of Departmental commitments under Pathways to Work 2016-2020 to extend and intensify proactive engagement for people with a disability, 67 dedicated Case Officers were nominated across the Intreo network. My Department’s Staff Development Unit provided a Disability Awareness Seminar in March 2016 for these Case Officers with speakers from the National Disability Authority and Epilepsy Ireland. This was supplemented by tailored instructor-led training nationally in Employment Supports for People with Disabilities, and this training has now been incorporated as standard into a new accredited programme for Case Officers, a Level 8 Certificate in Professional Practice in Employability Services, in conjunction with the National College of Ireland (NCI).
Ongoing liaison, via the Department’s Disability & Illness Policy Unit, with the National Disability Authority (NDA) and the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) ensures that information on relevant events and seminars is communicated to Departmental staff.
The Department will continue with its extensive training and awareness in this area. It is estimated that the cost of providing disability awareness training to all staff in Intreo offices in the Department would be approximately €90,000.
2009. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending the wage subsidy scheme to those in receipt of the partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27071/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe partial capacity benefit (PCB) scheme is designed for people who are on illness benefit, for at least six months, or on invalidity pension and who have retained some capacity for work and wish to work. If awarded, PCB will allow them to continue to receive, in addition to their earnings from employment, a percentage of their illness benefit or invalidity pension payment while working.
The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 hours per week under a contract of employment.
Extending eligibility for the WSS to employers who employ people in receipt of PCB is estimated to cost €2.5 million in a full year. The costing here relates to new PCB participants only, as a WSS payment can only be made where an individual is entering a new job or is in that job for less than 12 months.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2010. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on the reasonable accommodation fund and the initiatives within it in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27072/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reasonable accommodation fund for the employment of people with disabilities assists employers in the private sector to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability to have access to employment by providing a range of grants. These grants and supports include:
- the workplace equipment and adaptation grant,
- the personal reader grant,
- the job interview interpreter grant, and
- the employee retention grant – this scheme assists in maintaining the employability of an employee who acquires an illness or disability by providing funding to identify accommodation and/or training to enable the employee to remain in their current position or to re-train the employee so that they can take up another position within the company.
The reasonable accommodation fund is a demand led scheme in that expenditure arises in response to applications received. The actual expenditure on this fund is set out in the following table.
Table: Expenditure on the Reasonable Accommodation Fund for People with Disabilities
|
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Workplace equipment and adaptation grant |
€71,176 |
€81,724 |
€61,776 |
€58,108 |
€54,041 |
€19,437 |
|
Personal reader grant |
€27,274 |
€27,526 |
€14,499 |
€11,866 |
€16,537 |
€7,722 |
|
Job interview interpreter grant |
€6,355 |
€2,767 |
€1,589 |
€3,950 |
€7,244 |
€2,885 |
|
Employee retention grant |
€4,320 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€109,125 |
€112,017 |
€77,864 |
€73,925 |
€77,822 |
€30,044 |
The reasonable accommodation fund is one of a range of employment support schemes for people with disabilities managed by the Department of Social Protection since January 2012. Over that time, the reasonable accommodation fund has been regularly promoted, in tandem with the other schemes, through employer engagement initiatives. Furthermore, the Department’s own employment case officers’ and the staff of the EmployAbility service disseminate information on the scheme to both people with disabilities and private sector employers on a regular basis. Most recently, the operational guidelines and application forms for the grants have been reviewed and revised, so as to ensure that clear and accurate information is provided to applicants to the scheme.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
2011. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection the person or body that partners a company (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27086/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. Seetec delivers the JobPath service in an area which encompasses broadly the northern half of the state. In County Mayo, the service is delivered directly by Seetec (i.e. there is no sub-contractor involvement) which has established full-time offices in Castlebar and Ballina and provides outreach services in Achill and Belmullet.
By way of additional information, Seetec has arranged for customers of the service to link in with a number of organisations in the training/educational sphere, for example: Abaris Training Management, Denis Larkin Associates, FRS Training, Gill Group, Jimmy’s School of Motoring, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board, National Training Solutions, RSA, Safetech and Safeway Health & Safety Consultants.
The training and educational supports provided by these organisations is in addition to the training interventions delivered in-house by Seetec.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2012. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details suppled) in County Sligo will have their carer's benefit payment reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27089/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn extension of carer’s benefit was awarded to the person concerned on 2 June 2017 and the first payment is due to issue to their nominated post office on 8 June 2017.
Arrears of benefit due from 1 June 2017 to 7 June 2017 will also issue to the post office.
The person concerned was notified of these details on 2 June 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2013. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the proposal to expand the range of public services for which a public services card will be required coupled with the proposal for the card to carry a person's date of birth constitutes the introduction of a national identity card by stealth; the range of legal and privacy issues such an introduction by stealth would give rise to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27096/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe idea behind the Public Services Card (PSC) and its underlying identity registration and authentication process is to provide public bodies with substantial assurance as to the identity of individuals they are providing services to and to provide individuals with greater assurance that their identity can’t be used by anybody else in dealings with public bodies.
Registration for a PSC is only needed once. All other public bodies will then be able to rely on this without needing to register the same person each time they engage in a public service. This in turn reduces the potential for forgery considerably and consequently reduces the number of people who fraudulently claim to be someone else. It also saves some of the time spent verifying an individual’s identity each time a member of the public tries to access a public service. Small savings for each interaction with an individual represent a considerable overall saving when extrapolated across the public service and the entire population of public service users.
The benefits for an individual are similar to those for a public body. It will make it more difficult for someone else to claim to be that cardholder, thus playing its part in reducing ‘Identity theft’. This in turn reduces the potential for someone fraudulently accessing someone else’s data. It also saves time and effort for the individual in that they do not have to re-register for every supplier of public services who need to verify identity and it reduces the amount of time spent establishing identity for each transaction.
The legislative provisions governing the PSC and the public bodies which may use it are clearly set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). This legislation limits the usage of the PSC to those bodies listed and only for those public transaction purposes as defined in it. Accordingly, it is definitively not a national identity card as it has none of the required characteristics of a national identity card such as a person being compelled to carry one or produce it to police if requested or use in private/commercial transactions. In fact, An Garda Síochána may not request a person to produce a PSC. Any proposals in this regard would require changes to primary legislation.
The proposal regarding the date of birth on the PSC is to allow for its inclusion on the face of the card at the request of the cardholder on a voluntary basis. In other words, the date of birth will not be included on the face of the PSC by default but the cardholder may seek to have it there at their choice. This will enable customers who do not have alternative photographic ID to use their PSC to verify their age if they wish.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
2014. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made regarding a disability allowance review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27098/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis person has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 1 March 2017. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 21 June 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.
2015. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in her Department and in each State and semi State body under the aegis of her Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefor; the dates and details of such competitions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27143/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities, comply with any statutory Code of Practice, meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities and report every year on achievement of these obligations.
The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports on compliance with the 3% target. In its latest published report for the calendar year 2015, the NDA noted that 4.9% of the Department of Social Protection’s staff had disabilities.
In relation to the employment of people with a disability by the three agencies under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, the last figures reported to the NDA for 2015 were: 9.8% for the Citizens Information Board, 16.7% for the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman and 0% for the Pensions Authority. The NDA has acknowledged in previous reports the difficulties that small agencies have in seeking to recruit staff with a disability.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES) was launched by the Government on 2 October 2015. The Government has already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Strategy, namely a phased increase in the public service employment target for people with disabilities from 3% to 6% and plans to provide alternative recruitment channels and special public service competitions for people with disabilities. These and other recommendations of the Strategy are being considered by a cross-party group chaired by Mr Fergus Finlay of which my Department is a member.
For the past 11 years, Government Departments and Offices in the Civil Service have supported and participated in the WAM (Willing Able Mentoring) programme. WAM is a paid mentored work experience programme which offers graduates with disabilities up to six months work experience and is paid at the first point of the Executive Officer salary scale. This programme gives practical effect to Government and Civil Service policy on improving the employment prospects for people with disabilities. 20 WAM Placements were made in the Civil Service during 2016. The Department of Social Protection has offered 5 WAM Placements in 2017 and the selection process is currently underway with the Public Appointments Service and the Association for Higher Education Access & Disability (AHEAD).
2016. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27179/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on the 29th March 2017. The application will be considered by a Deciding Officer and the decision notified as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications currently being received, it can take up to 18 weeks to process an application for DCA at this time.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2017. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the full combined cost of increasing maternity benefit by €20, €30, €40 and €50 per week and extending maternity benefit by 26 weeks, in tabular form. [27209/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is currently estimated that my Department will spend approximately €266 million this year on maternity benefit in respect of an average of 22,000 recipients per week.
The table below estimates increasing the duration of maternity benefit by one to twenty-six weeks at the current rate of €235 per week. The table also estimates increasing the duration by one to twenty-six weeks while also increasing the rate of payment of maternity by €20, €30, €40 and €50 per week respectively.
Estimated Cost (€million) of Increasing Maternity Benefit
|
Current Rate |
(+€20) |
(+€30) |
(+40) |
(+€50) |
|
|
Additional Weeks |
€235 |
€255 |
€265 |
€275 |
€285 |
|
1 |
€10 |
€33 |
€45 |
€56 |
€68 |
|
2 |
€20 |
€43 |
€55 |
€66 |
€78 |
|
3 |
€30 |
€53 |
€65 |
€77 |
€88 |
|
4 |
€40 |
€64 |
€76 |
€87 |
€99 |
|
5 |
€50 |
€74 |
€86 |
€97 |
€109 |
|
6 |
€60 |
€85 |
€97 |
€108 |
€120 |
|
7 |
€70 |
€95 |
€107 |
€118 |
€130 |
|
8 |
€80 |
€105 |
€117 |
€128 |
€140 |
|
9 |
€90 |
€116 |
€128 |
€138 |
€151 |
|
10 |
€100 |
€126 |
€138 |
€149 |
€161 |
|
11 |
€110 |
€137 |
€149 |
€159 |
€172 |
|
12 |
€120 |
€147 |
€159 |
€169 |
€182 |
|
13 |
€130 |
€157 |
€169 |
€180 |
€192 |
|
14 |
€140 |
€168 |
€180 |
€190 |
€203 |
|
15 |
€150 |
€178 |
€190 |
€200 |
€213 |
|
16 |
€160 |
€189 |
€201 |
€211 |
€224 |
|
17 |
€170 |
€199 |
€211 |
€221 |
€234 |
|
18 |
€180 |
€209 |
€221 |
€231 |
€244 |
|
19 |
€190 |
€220 |
€232 |
€241 |
€255 |
|
20 |
€200 |
€230 |
€242 |
€252 |
€265 |
|
21 |
€210 |
€241 |
€253 |
€262 |
€276 |
|
22 |
€220 |
€251 |
€263 |
€272 |
€286 |
|
23 |
€230 |
€261 |
€273 |
€283 |
€296 |
|
24 |
€240 |
€272 |
€284 |
€293 |
€307 |
|
25 |
€250 |
€282 |
€294 |
€303 |
€317 |
|
26 |
€260 |
€293 |
€305 |
€314 |
€328 |
These estimates are on a full year basis and assume that any increase in duration or rate is implemented at the beginning of the year. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017.
2018. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will grant a disability allowance to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27211/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for disability allowance was received from the person in question by the department on 16 December 2016. The claim, based upon the evidence submitted, was disallowed by a deciding officer (DO) on medical grounds on 23 March 2017.
Further medical evidence was received and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 6 June 2017. She was also advised of her right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2019. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 316 of 30 May 2017, the average processing time for seasonal educational workers that are employed on a temporary basis and that have previously been in contact with her Department to receive their jobseeker's payment; her plans to examine if there is a more efficient method by which such workers could receive their payment when their employment ceases for the summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average processing times in May for jobseekers benefit was 1 week and 2 weeks for jobseekers allowance. There are no separate statistics held for seasonal workers. In general, there is no delay in processing jobseeker benefit claims in Intreo Centres if the relevant claim application forms and supporting documentation are completed, as required by the customer, in a timely manner.
Seasonal workers should apply for jobseeker’s payment as soon as they become unemployed. Initially, when a person makes an application for jobseeker’s benefit, 3 waiting days apply and payment is made from the 4th day of the claim. If, however, a person makes a repeat claim for jobseeker’s benefit within 26 weeks of their previous claim, the repeat claim links to the earlier claim and no waiting days apply.
School educational sector workers, who are employed on a temporary basis and who have previously been in contact with the Department, are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and holiday form in advance of the school holiday periods. This advance process facilitates an efficient service to these customers and allows for speedy processing of their claim when the period of unemployment actually arises. However, it is important to note that educational sector workers are still required to sign on for each period of unemployment.
I want to assure the Deputy that prompt processing of all claims remains a priority for my Department. Each scheme area is monitored on an on-going basis and processing procedures are reviewed to ensure that claims are paid to customers as quickly as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2020. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the reinstating of the bereavement grant particularly to those persons that have lost loved ones to suicide; and if it will be restored during the Government's term. [27369/17]
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 re-introduced, would be in the region of 28,858, with that number likely to increase in future years. The estimated cost of re-introducing the grant at a rate of €850 for 28,858 recipients would be €24.53 million.
As the grant was intended to assist with the costs of a funeral, there were no criteria which differentiated between people bereaved as a result of different causes of death and it would not be considered appropriate that such criteria would be introduced for any future payment of this nature. 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.
