Willie O'Dea
Ceist:562. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied). [29666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (562)
Freagraí scríofa
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on the 13th April 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 is taking approximately 18 weeks to process an application for DCA at this time.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (563)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:563. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance claim by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29667/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The application for disability allowance (DA) from this gentleman was disallowed by a deciding officer (DO). The DO decided that he did not satisfy the medical conditions for the scheme. Notification of this decision and the reason(s) for it issued to him on 2 May 2017.
The person in question has lodged an appeal with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). All the relevant papers requested by that Office are being prepared and will be submitted by my department shortly. The SWAO will be in touch with the person in due course in relation to the progress of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits Data
Ceisteanna (564)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:564. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection ,further to a media inquiry (details supplied), the category of weekly payment that is referred to in row one to single men; the category of payment that is referred to in row two to women and families; and if the payment in row three refers to the funding of emergency accommodation. [29684/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The category of weekly payment which is referred to in each row of the statistics snapshot provided on foot of a media enquiry is Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance and does not refer to the funding of emergency accommodation. Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough means to meet their needs and those of their qualified adult or any qualified children.
While the New Communities Unit (NCU) of the Department of Social Protection previously facilitated the booking of non-Irish homeless families into emergency accommodation, this accommodation was sourced and funded by Dublin City Council under Section 10 of the Housing Act (1988). This booking function was transferred to the Central Placement Service on the 22nd May 2017.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (565)
Tom Neville
Ceist:565. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29707/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 28 February 2017.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 16 May 2017 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
The SWI has completed their report and the file is currently being examined by a deciding officer who will notify the person concerned of the outcome of their application once they have made their decision on entitlement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy .
Question No. 566 withdrawn.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility
Ceisteanna (567)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:567. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection if parents of children with diabetes are considered for domiciliary care allowance upon application; the criteria for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29768/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is a payment made in respect of children under the age of 16 who have a severe disability that requires care and attention substantially in excess of another child of the same age without that disability. The need for the additional care and attention must be likely to last for at least 12 months.
Eligibility for DCA is not based on the child’s particular disability, but on the additional care and attention required as a result of that disability. Each application is assessed on its merit, taking account of all the evidence submitted by the parent/guardian, including medical evidence and details on the additional care required by the child.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
JobPath Implementation
Ceisteanna (568, 575)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:568. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider legislation governing JobPath and community employment schemes to allow participants to transfer from a JobPath placement to a community employment scheme placement in order to address the shortage of candidates available for the latter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29769/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:575. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if a mechanism can be introduced that would allow a person on a JobPath programme to transfer to a community employment scheme if he or she is of the view that it is more suitable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 575 together.
The aim of the JobPath service, which is provided for jobseekers only, is to assist them in finding sustainable full time paid employment. Community Employment schemes provide part-time work experience and training opportunities in local communities as a stepping stone back to employment for people on a range of Social Welfare payments including those on long term unemployment payments
JobPath is an up to 52 week programme which allows the service providers’ sufficient time to work with the participants in order to develop their skills and competencies to pursue suitable job opportunities which may result in sustainable employment. In order to ensure that the best use is made of the available places on JobPath, Jobseekers who are already participating with the JobPath service will not be referred to Community Employment Schemes as they can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time.
However, customers who on the date of their referral to JobPath have a written offer with a start date within four weeks for CE or TÚS will be facilitated to take up the placement.
Those jobseekers that have completed their 52 week engagement with JobPath without finding suitable and sustainable employment are being referred back to their Intreo centres for an assessment by one of my Department’s case officers. They may then apply for other activation supports such as CE, thus ensuring ongoing availability to all schemes.
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.
If there is a CE scheme experiencing particular difficulties in recruitment, they should contact their local DSP office so that the matter can be reviewed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (569)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:569. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Civil Service clerical officers in full-time employment in her Department as of 31 May 2017 by county, in tabular form. [29855/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There were 2758 Clerical Officers (2540.37 FTE) working in the Department as at 31 May 2017. The table gives the breakdown by county.
Clerical Officers by County - 31st May 2017
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (570)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:570. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of full-time Civil Service clerical officers in her Department who retired, resigned or were promoted between 1 January 2015 and 31 May 2017, by county, in tabular form. [29871/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The tables provide details of Clerical Officer, retirements, resignations and promotions in the Department from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2017.
2015 Retirements
2015 Resignations
2016 Retirements
2016 Resignations
2016 Promotions*
* There were no promotions during 2015
2017 Retirements
2017 Resignations
2017 Promotions
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (571, 572)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:571. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of full-time Civil Service clerical officer appointments made in her Department between 1 January 2015 and 31 May 2017 by county, in tabular form. [29897/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMick Wallace
Ceist:572. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of temporary Civil Service clerical officer appointments made in her Department between 1 January 2015 and 31 May 2017 by county, in tabular form. [29913/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 571 and 572 together.
The details being sought by the Deputy regarding the number of permanent and temporary Clerical Officers appointed in the Department in the period from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2107 are shown in the tabular statements. Temporary Clerical Officers are appointed to provide cover for long term absences eg. maternity leave, parental leave, the shorter working year scheme, to support the roll out of the public service card and to operate the annual back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme.
Tabular Statements
Permanent Clerical Officers appointed to DSP
Temporary Clerical Officers appointed to DSP
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (573)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:573. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29918/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm my department is currently reviewing the entitlement of the person concerned. A decision is expected to issue shortly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (574)
Peter Burke
Ceist:574. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied). [30008/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my department received an application for Carer's Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 1 February 2017 in respect of two care recipients.
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 twelve months.
Carer’s allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 23 June 2017 in respect of one care recipient. The first payment along with arrears for the period 2 February 2017 to 5 July 2017 is due to issue to her nominated post office on 6 July 2017.
The evidence submitted in support of the second care recipient was examined and the Deciding Officer (DO) 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 for the second care recipient on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care and attention as required.
The person concerned was notified on 23 June 2017 of these decisions, the reasons for them and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 575 answered with Question No. 568.
JobPath Data
Ceisteanna (576)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:576. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of job sustainment fees paid to the private companies operating the JobPath programme over the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not publish the individual fees paid to these providers because of commercial sensitivity. This commercial sensitivity is specifically in relation to the release of the information having the potential to influence the pricing of future contracts providing a similar service and thereby having the potential to confer commercial advantage on one bidder over another.
JobPath is a payment by results model and the initial set up costs and the ongoing running costs are borne by the companies.
Job sustainment fees are payable for each 13-week period of sustained employment, up to a maximum of 52 weeks. The jobs must be full time, that is, more than 30 hours a week, with some exceptions. This means JobPath companies are incentivised financially to assist people to find full-time jobs that they are likely to hold down and are therefore suited to. My Department verifies each individual job sustainment fee claim before payment, confirming that the customer is in employment and no longer on the Live Register.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments Administration
Ceisteanna (577)
John Brady
Ceist:577. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a social welfare payment, by county. [30047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As of the end of April 2017 there were over 3.12 million social welfare scheme claims in payment.
Please note that this figure does not represent the number of individual people receiving a payment as a person may be in receipt of multiple payments such as Child Benefit, Household Benefits Package and Free Travel.
A breakdown of this number is detailed by county, as requested by the Deputy, in the tabular statement.
Recipients of a social welfare payment at the end of April 2017
* Excluding Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Non-Contributory), Deserted Wife’s Allowance, Blind Pension, Death Benefit, Guardian's Payments, Disablement Benefit, Community Employment and Carer's
Wage Subsidy Scheme
Ceisteanna (578)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:578. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the criteria changed in budget 2017 for the wage subsidy scheme for employers (details supplied). [30055/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) is an employment support to encourage private sector employers to employ people with disabilities, the purpose of which is to increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market.
The WSS operates as a subsidy to employers taking on an employee with a disability who has a productivity deficit amounting to 20 per cent or more compared to a peer doing the same job. To be eligible to participate on the scheme, the employee is required to work between 21 and 39 hours per week.
WSS applicants who are in receipt of jobseeker’s assistance (JA) can qualify to participate on the WSS if he or she has a disability. In cases where the applicant is not in receipt of a Department of Social Protection disability payment, a completed confidential Medical Report form and supporting medical evidence is required so as to confirm that the applicant has a disability and that this disability is causing or could cause him/her to have a shortfall in productivity, compared to a colleague without a disability.
One of the conditions for eligibility of a JA payment is that the recipient is available for and genuinely seeking work on a full-time basis and this is not consistent with the main condition for receipt by the employer of WSS. Accordingly, the WSS guidelines were revised to clarify this.
In circumstance where a WSS applicant requires additional income supports, then they can apply for a range of in-work supports such as the family income supplement, the back to work family dividend or the part-time job incentive scheme.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (579)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:579. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be concluded in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30059/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 June 2017. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension Eligibility
Ceisteanna (580)
Pat Deering
Ceist:580. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the invalidity pension for the self-employed (details supplied) as announced in budget 2017; when the legislation for same will be enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30067/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government for an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed, Budget 2017 provided for the extension of cover for Invalidity Pension to the self-employed on the same basis as employees, with effect from December 2017. Legislation for this measure has already been enacted through the Social Welfare Act, 2016. Commencement of the relevant section of this act is intended to take place in the near future, thereby allowing self-employed workers to be eligible for invalidity pension from December 2017.
Details for self-employed persons including the person concerned of how to apply will be made public by my Department before then.
This is a major reform as, for the first time, self-employed people will have access to the safety net of State income supports, without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability. It is estimated that approximately 1,400 self-employed persons will qualify for invalidity pension in December 2017.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the deputy.