Written Answers Nos. 763-777
763. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated number of children in consistent poverty and experiencing deprivation; the way in which these figures compare to the European average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32906/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, consistent poverty at the household level is defined as having a household income below 60% of the median household income and experiencing basic deprivation (measured as lacking 2 or more of a list of 11 basic necessities).
The latest national data from the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) for 2015 shows that the number of children in consistent poverty in 2015 was 139,000, a decrease of 13,000 children on the 2014 figure. The number of children experiencing basic deprivation in 2015 was 380,000, a decrease of 52,000 children on the 2014 figure.
EUROSTAT does not produce a measure precisely equivalent to the Irish measures of consistent poverty or basic deprivation. However, based on published EUROSTAT data it is possible to produce a hybrid EU estimate of consistent poverty which is a measure of those children that are both at risk of poverty and “severely materially deprived”. The EUROSTAT 2015 data show that 3% (49,000) of children in Ireland experienced consistent poverty on this hybrid measure, compared to an EU28 average of 4%. Some 7.5% (112,000) of children in Ireland were severely materially deprived in 2015, as compared to an EU28 average rate of 8%.
The Government’s strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion is set out in the updated National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty, including four specific high-level goals for children. The Department will review the Plan this year, as it reaches the end of its current term, with a view to developing an updated plan for future periods. This review will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
764. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who are long-term employed; the way in which this compares to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32907/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on EUROSTAT Labour Force Survey data, the number of Irish long-term unemployed was 80,000 in Q4 2016, as compared with 9,278,000 in the EU overall. The situation in Ireland has improved substantially both in absolute terms and relative to the EU average in the last few years. The number of long-term unemployed here peaked at 204,000 in Q1 2012 at a time when the EU number was 10,778,000. The EU figure subsequently peaked at 12,768,000 in Q1 2014.
The rapid improvement in long-term unemployment reflects the impact of government policy, and the overall improvement in the labour market.
Government policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through Pathways to Work to ensure that as many as possible of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register.
The Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy continues to prioritise actions for the long-term unemployed. This includes the payment-by-results services of JobPath to engage more systematically with the long-term unemployed; providing targeted wage subsidies under JobsPlus; and through reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on employment and training programmes.
I am confident these measures, and continuing economic recovery, will support further reductions in long-term unemployment and add to the substantial improvements that have already been seen over the last few years.
765. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the rate of long-term youth unemployment here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through Pathways to Work to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register, including young people.
To date, these policies have been effective in reducing youth unemployment and long-term youth unemployment in particular. The number of young Irish people who are unemployed for over a year has fallen from a peak of 35,600 in Q4 2011 to 9,300 in Q1 2017. The overall youth unemployment rate has fallen from a peak of 31% in 2012 to 11.9% in June 2017; the rate of long-term unemployment for young people has fallen from a peak of almost 16% to 5%. Overall youth unemployment has fallen from well above the EU average in 2012 to well below the EU figure now.
Looking forward, in the context of Pathways to Work 2016-2020, the government has adopted several high-level targets relevant to the question raised:
- Reducing the unemployment rate to between 5% and 6% by 2020;
- Bringing youth unemployment to 12% or less by 2020 in the context of an overall unemployment rate of 6% or less;
- Decreasing long-term unemployment to 2.5%.
Targets were not set for intermediate years. However, it seems clear based on the most recent developments in the labour market that these targets are now likely to be achieved or indeed improved on.
The Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy continues to prioritise support for the long-term unemployed and young unemployed. This includes the roll-out of the payment-by-results services of JobPath to engage more systematically with the long-term unemployed, including long-term unemployed youth; providing targeted wage subsidies under JobsPlus; and through reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on employment and training programmes.
Pathways to Work 2016-2020 additionally commits to: increasing the share of workplace-based interventions for youth unemployed; ensuring that monthly engagement, at a minimum, is consistently applied and maintained; restructuring the First Steps programme; and implementing the Defence Forces Skills for Life programme.
I am confident these measures, and continuing economic recovery, will support further reductions in youth unemployment, both long- and short-term, and add to the substantial improvements that have already been seen over the last few years.
769. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will re-examine the provisions for those aged under 18 years of age and those aged under 16 years of age in view of the publication of the first annual report on the Gender Recognition Act 2015. [32917/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra770. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are areas of the legislation she is of the view needs to be reformed, such as recognition of non-binary and intersex persons in view of the fact that the Gender Recognition Act 2015 has been in force nearly two years. [32918/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 769 and 770 together.
Section 7 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 provides for a review of the Act to commence within 2 years of enactment of the legislation.
Officials in my Department are currently making preparations for the review which is due to commence in September. The terms of reference and the composition of the review group have yet to be finalised. However, I would like to assure you that issues relating to gender recognition for children younger than 16 years of age; arrangements for 16 and 17 year olds; and the position of non-binary and intersex persons will be considered in detail in the course of the review.
The findings and conclusions of the review must be presented to the Oireachtas by September 2018.
771. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection if the planned dissolution and replacement of the Citizens Information services falls under the first part of the board's prescribed function, as prescribed in section 7 of the Comhairle Act 2000 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32938/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) has statutory responsibility for Citizens Information Services (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). The functions of the Board are set out in Section 7 of the Comhairle Act, 2000, as amended.
Under the legislation, the Board can directly provide, or support the provision of, independent information, advice (including money advice and budgeting) and advocacy services so as to ensure that individuals have access to accurate, comprehensive and clear information relating to social services and are referred to the relevant services.
Currently, the Board provides financial support for the delivery of these services to a network of ninety three individual local companies. The Board’s decision to change the number of local service delivery partner companies to sixteen regional companies, eight CIS and eight MABS, is an operational decision of the Board relating to how it shall discharge the statutory functions conferred on it.
The changes will bring CIS and MABS organisations more into line with modern public service governance guidelines and requirements where significant State funding is involved. The reduced company structure will better assist CIB in the fulfilment of its statutory obligations, its compliance with the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies, and implementation of recommendations of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
I am satisfied that existing legislation, together with compliance requirements of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies, underpin the Board’s decision to re-organise the governance arrangements of its service delivery partner companies in the manner set out.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
772. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that giving full control to the statutory Citizens Information Board to appoint all persons nominated to serve on the eight proposed regional boards (details supplied) will maintain the necessary independence of the Citizens Information services, CIS, as civic institutions between the citizen and the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32939/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process for selecting board membership of the new sixteen regional boards has not yet been defined by the Citizens Information Board (CIB). Some discussions have taken place on this topic at the regional consultations, held by CIB in May 2017. Further consultations are planned over the summer months on a number of themes, one of which includes recruitment to the sixteen regional company boards and the Local Advisory Committees.
CIB in determining the recruitment process and the selection criteria to be used will have regard to best practice in the area of board appointments. It is the intention of CIB, in line with best practise, to publicly advertise the regional board positions. Expressions of interest will also be sought by the Board from existing Citizens Information Services (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) company board members.
The independence of individual CIS or MABS companies is in no way undermined, or compromised, by the requirement to have appropriate and robust governance arrangements in place, which are compatible with the statutory and financial oversight needs of CIB as funder.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
773. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection the person who made decisions on the daily operations of the Citizens Information Board and who provided supervision, support and oversight to the executive there in the 18-month interregnum period between board meetings from February 2015 to July 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32940/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 3 March 2015, eight vacancies, including that of Chairperson, arose on the Citizens Information Board due to the expiration of existing terms of appointment. In the absence of a quorum, Board meetings scheduled for 25th March 2015 and 20 May 2015 did not take place. The Board held meetings in June, October and December 2015, and in February, July and October 2016.
Section 13 (1) of the Comhairle Act 2000 provides that there shall be a chief executive officer of the Board and section 13 (2) provides that the chief executive officer shall carry on and manage, and control generally, the administration and business of the Board and perform such other functions ( if any) as may be determined by the Board.
As part of their role the Chief Executive Officer provides ongoing oversight of the daily operations of the executive, making decisions and providing support as required, including during the period specified by the Deputy, from February 2015 to July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
774. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the minutes taken by the Citizens Information Board in November 2014 regarding the decision to dissolve and replace the Citizens Information services, CIS, and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32941/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) has statutory responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
A Feasibility Study, commissioned by CIB and carried out the Pathfinder, was presented to the Board of CIB in September 2014. Following the Board meeting, a copy of the report was issued to all boards and managers of CIS and MABS services. Feedback was sought from delivery services and channelled through National Association for Citizens Information Services (NACIS), the representative body for Citizens Information Services, National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Management Forum (NMF), the representative bodies for staff working in MABS and for MABS companies respectively. Thirty- two responses were received. On 14 October 2014, the Board of CIB heard submissions on restructuring from NACIS, NEC and NMF representing the boards and staff of CIS and MABS services. The Board discussed the study, the actions now required to advance the study’s recommendations and asked that the Executive report back to the Board at its November meeting with proposed next steps.
At the meeting on the 14 November, it was agreed that the Board will lead the change and that the Board’s decision that change was necessary will be recorded. CIB discussed its next steps and proposed that a Design Group be set up to inform CIB’s consideration of an appropriate organisational model.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
775. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection the consideration that was given to the issue involved in dissolving and replacing the Citizens Information services, CIS, and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, by the Citizens Information Board in the period from the November 2014 board meeting to the meeting in October 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32942/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for providing information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through a network of delivery partners, which includes 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) and 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS).
Extensive analysis and consideration of options for restructuring of governance arrangements has taken place over the past number of years, including extensive consultations with stakeholders. A Feasibility Study was commissioned by CIB and carried out by Pathfinder. Pathfinder approached the study with detailed consultations with all stakeholders including local services, representative bodies, local boards, staff, and in the case of CIS’s volunteers.
The Report was presented to the Board of CIB in September 2014. Following the Board meeting, a copy of the report was issued to all boards and managers of CIS and MABS services. Feedback was sought from delivery services countrywide and channelled through National Association for Citizens Information Services (NACIS), the representative body for Citizens Information Services, National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Management Forum (NMF), the representative bodies for staff working in MABS and for MABS companies respectively. Thirty- two responses were received. On 14 October 2014, the Board of CIB heard submissions on restructuring from NACIS, NEC and NMF representing the boards and staff of CIS and MABS services.
On 19 November 2014, the Board of CIB’s Register of Decisions recorded the following entry ‘decision that change is needed in the structure of delivery partner companies was confirmed". The Board also agreed that a Design Group be tasked with presenting options on new organisational models for its consideration.
The work of the Design Group took place in 2015 and recommended restructuring on a regional model basis. On the 5 October 2016, the Board of CIB again heard submissions from NACIS, NEC and NMF in relation to restructuring proposals. On 12 October 2016, having reviewed the output of the Design Group and submissions by the representative bodies, the Board decided to proceed with restructuring on a regional model basis. This decision is recorded in the Register of Board decisions.
The Board established a Restructuring Sub Committee to progress this work and report back to the Board of CIB in January 2017. On 15th February 2017, following detailed discussion on the Report of the Restructuring Sub-Committee, the Board of CIB decided to adopt the Report and proceed with its implementation. The new governance model referred to in the Report comprises of eight regions, with eight CIS companies and eight MABS companies. Acceptance of the restructuring group’s recommendation and CIB’s decision to move forward with this model was entered in the Register of CIB Board decisions.
The decision to change the governance arrangements of CIS and MABS companies has been taken by the statutory Board of CIB after a lengthy period of consultation and detailed consideration of the options and views put forward at all stages. I am confident that the membership of the Board of CIB, which comprises of experienced and competent individuals, representative of a broad spectrum of interests and which includes representatives of the Citizens Information Service and Money Advice and Budgeting Service, has made this important decision in the best interests of the citizens of Ireland, whom the Board serves.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
776. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times the Citizens Information Board met between November 2014 and October 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32943/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislative provisions governing membership of the Citizens Information Board (CIB) are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000, the Citizens Information Act 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011. The legislation provides that the Board of CIB shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Minister, one of whom shall be designated by the Minister as chairperson and that the quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be 8, or such lesser number (being not less than 5) as the Board may from time to time determine.
There were ten meetings of the Board of CIB during the period November 2014 to October 2016 on the following dates; 19 November 2014, 11 December 2014, 18 February 2015, 22 June 2015, 21 October 2015, 9 December 2015, 17 February 2016, 27 July 2016, 5 October 2016 and 12 October 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
777. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of the 42 Citizens Information Service boards (details supplied) which have adopted resolutions supporting the strategy of their dissolution and replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32944/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The management boards of each Citizens Information Service are separate independent legal entities. The Citizens Information Board does not routinely receive copies of local service delivery partner company board meeting agendas or minutes.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
