Written Answers Nos. 1474-1492
1474. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yearly cost of restoring the bereavement grant of €850; her views on whether the grant was a major benefit to families at a time of grief and at a time of immense financial pressure in view of the cost of funerals; her plans to restore the bereavement grant in the forthcoming budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34912/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAbolishing the bereavement grant provided a significant annual saving and allowed my Department to protect other core social welfare payments such as the State pension in successive Budgets.
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, and the number would be expected to increase in future years. If there were 28,858 such grants made in 2018, at a rate of €850 each, the cost would be €24.53 million.
Any decision to reinstate the Bereavement Grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
While the bereavement grant did provide support to families during a time of grief and financial pressure it is worth noting that there are still 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.
1475. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated yearly cost of restoring the fuel allowance to payment over 32 weeks rather than the current 26 weeks; her views on whether the allowance was of major benefit to low income households; her plans to restore the fuel allowance to 32 weeks per year in the forthcoming budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34913/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1521. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost of increasing all basic social protection payments by €5, €7 and €10, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35790/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1522. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost of increasing the living alone allowance by €2, €3 and €5, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35791/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1523. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost of increasing the fuel allowance by €7 and €10, respectively, and extending it by a further six weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35792/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1560. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount it would cost to restore the full Christmas bonus to all social welfare recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36396/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1475, 1521, 1522, 1523 and 1560 together.
The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to over 390,000 low-income households. This payment assists these households with the higher energy costs that arise in that period. It is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. Exceptional needs payments may also be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which a person is unable to meet from his/her own resources.
The full year cost of extending the duration of the fuel season by 6 weeks, from 26 weeks to 32 weeks, is estimated to be €52.8 million in 2018. The full year cost in 2018 of increasing the rate of fuel allowance by €7 and €10 is estimated to cost €71.2 million and €101.8 million, respectively.
The full year cost in 2018 of increasing all weekly social protection payments by €5, €7 and €10 per week is estimated to cost €347 million, €486 million and €694 million, respectively.
The full year cost in 2018 of increasing the living alone allowance by €2, €3 and €5 per week is estimated to cost €20.6 million, €31 million and €51.6 million, respectively.
Last December, an 85% Christmas Bonus was paid to some 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients, including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and the long-term unemployed, in recognition of their financial dependence on their social welfare payments for all or most of their income. The cost of a 100% Bonus for long-term recipients is estimated to cost approximately €267 million in 2017.
The costings listed above include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant. It should also be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018.
1476. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection the job activation supports available to long-term unemployed persons who do not qualify for means-tested social protection payments, that is, jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34928/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key objective of activation policy and labour market initiatives is to offer assistance to those most in need of support in securing work and achieving financial self-sufficiency. This policy objective prioritises resources to those in receipt of qualifying welfare payments – Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance – that are conditional on the recipient actively seeking and being available for employment, as well as, in the case of Jobseeker’s Allowance, meeting a means test. The employment services and schemes provided by the Department are focused in the first instance on this cohort of unemployed people.
Many services are however also available to people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment. For example, employment services, such as advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools, are available to people if they register with the Department’s Intreo offices regardless of their social welfare status.
Unemployed (including long-term unemployed) persons not in receipt of qualifying payments may also be eligible to avail of up-skilling opportunities, for example through ETB training for unemployed people. Although they are not eligible to receive a training allowance while undertaking the course, they may receive travel and lunch allowances.
Further, an unemployed person who does not qualify for a social welfare payment due to the assessment of their means may be eligible to sign for social insurance contribution credits. Persons signing on for credits for 12 months or longer over the previous 18 months were entitled to participate on Momentum courses through Solas, provided that they have been actively seeking work, however, they will not receive any payment. Persons signing for credits for six months or more are entitled to participate on ETB-run VTOS courses subject to availability. In the case of VTOS courses, participants do not receive a training allowance but may receive travel and lunch allowances. Springboard and Skillnets courses for unemployed people, funded through the Department of Education and Skills, are also open to people regardless of their social welfare status.
The Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.
1477. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance claim by a person (details supplied). [34929/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 23 March 2017.
The application was awarded to the person concerned on 19 July 2017 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 27 July 2017.
Arrears of allowance due from 23 March 2017 to 26 July 2017 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 19 July 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1478. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families in receipt of assistance payments for fuel in their home; her views on the prevalence of fuel poverty here as outlined by a charity (details supplied); the steps she is taking to work with other agencies and Departments to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to low-income households, at an estimated cost of €229 million in 2017. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. At the end of the 2016/17 fuel allowance season 376,123 households were in receipt of the fuel allowance payment.
I was pleased to announce last week that from October, when the new Fuel Season begins, our customers who receive the Fuel Allowance will have the option to receive their payment in two lump sums – one at the start of the fuel season in October and the second in January. The value of the lump sums will be €292.50 each. This will enable people to buy fuel in bulk and potentially avail of special offers or discounts on the purchase of the particular fuel that meets their specific needs.
My Department also pays the household benefits package at an estimated cost of €232 million in 2017. €177 million of this cost relates to the electricity or gas allowance element of the household benefits package. As of the end of June this year 424,393 households were in receipt of the electricity or gas allowance element of the household benefits package.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, a weekly or monthly supplement may be paid to assist people whose means are insufficient to meet their needs in certain circumstances.
A Fuel Supplement may be paid in lieu of the National Fuel Scheme in cases where people have entitlement but are not receiving payment from any other source. Expenditure on SWA Fuel Supplement during the period of the national fuel scheme (from 3 October 2016 to 31 March 2017) is estimated at €68,450 based on an average of 117 households receiving the payment.
Under the SWA scheme a heating supplement may be paid to a person who lives alone or only with a qualified adult or child(ren) and who has exceptional heating needs due to ill health or infirmity. There is no standard rate for a heating supplement and each payment is awarded taking into account the individual circumstances of the case. There are currently (end June 2017) 1,510 recipients of the payment. Expenditure on SWA Heating Supplement during the period of the national fuel scheme (from 3 October 2016 to 31 March 2017) is estimated at some €585,000 based on an average of 1,650 households receiving the payment.
Exceptional needs payments (ENPs) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which a person is unable to meet from their own resources. For the period of the national fuel scheme, some 1,900 ENPs totalling €495,700 were made under the ENP category of heating.
The best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. My Department works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on these issues and in moving forward the actions agreed in the Energy Affordability Strategy. In that regard, the Better Energy Homes scheme provides support towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades.
The Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme which is led by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive (HSE), aims to make homes warmer and healthier to live in. It does this by providing extensive energy efficiency upgrades to those in energy poverty who are living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma. My Department is actively assisting that Department in identifying the people who can benefit from this scheme.
Any decision to increase the fuel allowance payment would have to be considered in the overall budgetary and policy context. In this regard, my Department hosted its annual Pre-Budget Forum in Dublin Castle on 21 of July, where I listened to the views of representatives from some 45 NGOs, advocacy and representative organisations, including the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1479. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a decision has not been made in respect of a disability allowance appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the appeal was lodged on 9 February 2017; the reason for the delay in making a decision on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35057/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1491. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a decision has not been made in respect of a disability allowance appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the appeal was lodged on 9 February 2017; the reason for the delay in making a decision on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35213/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1479 and 1491 together.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 31 August 2017. The person concerned will shortly be notified of the arrangements for the 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.
1480. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has set the criteria, training programmes or guidelines for staff that deliver the JobPath scheme via private operators; if so, the criteria for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1481. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the process by which persons are selected to take part in the JobPath scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35117/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1482. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons over 62 years of age and who are therefore exempt from job activation schemes are being referred to JobPath on a regular basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35118/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1483. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons who have been unemployed for only a very short period of time are being regularly referred to JobPath despite it being a scheme for long-term unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35119/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1484. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the agreements regarding personal data in place between her Department and the private operators of JobPath (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35120/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1480 to 1484, inclusive, together.
As 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. The service is delivered by two companies, Seetec Ltd and Turas Nua Ltd.
At present there are over 450 full-time equivalent personal advisers (excluding administrative and support staff) working with both JobPath providers. The JobPath providers were required to set out their approach to recruitment and training of staff as part of the procurement process and the proposals submitted were taken into account in the assessment of tenders. As there are two providers the proposals differed somewhat but shared many common characteristics including a multi-stage recruitment process of interviews and assessment centres, and a requirement for candidates to demonstrate specific experience, skills and competencies in areas such as knowledge of local labour market conditions, recruitment practice, customer service, use of IT systems, rapport building and interpersonal skills, and problem solving.
Similarly the training programmes for staff within the JobPath providers share common characteristics including training modules of induction, skills/competency development, on the job mentoring/coaching and the opportunity for professional accreditation.
The employers of case officers/personal advisors, including the Department itself and the Local Employment Service providers do not specify particular qualifications as a pre-requisite to appointment to the role of case officer/personal advisor.
The JobPath Satisfaction Study, published earlier this year, shows that an overall majority of JobPath participants agreed that the staff are good at their jobs (95% for Seetec staff, 93% for Turas Nua staff).
The Department has built a number of checks into the JobPath including on-site inspections and independent surveys of client experience/satisfaction with the service provided by the JobPath contractors. Failure to demonstrate satisfactory performance can lead to the application of payment penalties and potentially to cancellation of contracts. These checks and measures are in addition to the performance control inherent in the payment by results nature of the contracts.
For the purposes of the JobPath service all long-term unemployed jobseekers on the Live Register are categorised into groups based on their duration of unemployment (e.g. 1- 2 years, 2 – 3 years etc.). Selection for referral to the JobPath provider is by means of stratified random sampling using these groupings; the objective being to ensure equity in selection and also that people referred to JobPath are a representative of the long term cohort on the Live Register.
In line with the Department’s policies on activation, jobseekers aged 62 and over are not subject to the commencement of mandatory activation measures. As such, jobseekers already over the age of 62 are exempt from selection for referral to JobPath.
However, where a jobseeker has been selected for any activation programme and reaches 62 years of age while on the programme they are expected to complete it.
The duration of a person's jobseeker claim is recorded in terms of days of unemployment. Jobseeker Allowance claims are made up of continuous periods of unemployment. Any two such periods not separated by more than 52 weeks is considered to be the same continuous period of unemployment - this is known as linking the claim. Long-term jobseekers that may have left the live register to go into employment are still considered to be long-term if they reopen their claim within the 52 weeks. They retain certain entitlements (for example no waiting days and other supplemental benefits) and are available for selection for activation services including JobPath.
Customers who have not been in full time employment but are returning to Jobseeker’s payments from other departmental employment schemes, for example community employment and TÚS are also eligible for selection for JobPath.
Information is shared with these two companies to enable them to provide employment services on behalf of the Department. The purpose of sharing this information is to assist in the development of tailored personal progression plans for each jobseeker in order to support them back into paid employment. As part of the contracts for the provision of these services, there are strict obligations placed on these providers by the Department in terms of data protection. It should be noted that the contracts in place are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ireland and the courts of Ireland have exclusive jurisdiction over these contracts. The companies are also contractually required to register with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and are subject to the same provisions of data protection legislation as Departmental staff.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1485. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will investigate the delay regarding a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35151/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 10th August 2017. The person concerned will shortly be notified of the arrangements for the 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.
1486. 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); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35163/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned was held on 9 March 2017. However, the appeal decision was not finalised due to the Appeals Officer’s sudden absence from work due to illness.
While it had been hoped that the Appeals Officer would be in a position to return to work in the short term, unfortunately this has not proven to be the case. In the circumstances and in order to ensure fair procedure and natural justice for the person concerned, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer has decided to assign the appeal to another Appeals Officer and that a further oral hearing will be scheduled as a matter of urgency in order to expedite the appeal.
Every effort will be made to determine the appeal of the person concerned as quickly as possible and she will be informed as soon as arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
I am advised that the person concerned has been notified of the unfortunate developments with regard to the processing of her appeal and has received an apology for any inconvenience caused.
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.
1487. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds upon which an appeal for jobseeker's allowance was refused following an oral hearing in the case of a person (details supplied) that submitted extra documentation as required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35164/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in order to qualify for a jobseekers allowance payment a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions.
The person concerned was refused jobseeker’s allowance by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that he did not satisfy the habitual residence condition.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having considered all the available evidence including that adduced at oral hearing and evidence submitted to the Appeals Officer following the oral hearing, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned.
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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1488. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 452 of 12 July 2017 and the revised projected inflation figure for 2018 included in the summer economic statement published on 12 July 2017, the rates of all weekly payments; the resulting rates if they were to be increased in line with the revised harmonised index of consumer prices for 2018; and the estimated cost of this increase per scheme identifying the full and partial year effect if relevant, in tabular form. [35199/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information that the Deputy is looking for is detailed in the following table. The costs are based on the 1.2% Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices rate for 2018, forecast in the Department of Finance’s Summer Economic Statement.
|
Scheme |
Total Full Year Cost - €m |
Rate of Payment 2017 |
Proposed Rate of Payment 2018 |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|
|
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
56.93 |
€238.30 |
€241.10 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension - Under 66 |
3.50 |
€198.50 |
€200.80 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension - 66 and Over |
11.84 |
€238.30 |
€241.10 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit - Under 66 |
0.48 |
€198.50 |
€200.80 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit - 66 and Over |
0.31 |
€238.30 |
€241.10 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
7.38 |
€198.50 |
€200.80 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
0.11 |
€176.00 |
€178.10 |
|
Death Benefit Pension - Under 66 |
0.06 |
€223.50 |
€226.10 |
|
Death Benefit Pension – 66 and Over |
0.04 |
€242.70 |
€245.50 |
|
Disablement Pension |
0.64 |
€224.00 |
€226.60 |
|
Illness Benefit |
6.65 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Injury Benefit |
0.19 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
3.87 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
0.41 |
€210.00 |
€212.50 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
0.01 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
3.14 |
€235.00 |
€237.80 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
0.10 |
€235.00 |
€237.80 |
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
|
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
14.04 |
€227.00 |
€229.80 |
|
Blind Person's Pension |
0.16 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) |
0.17 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
0.02 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
4.79 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Carer's Allowance - Under 66 |
5.32 |
€209.00 |
€211.50 |
|
Carer's Allowance – 66 and Over |
0.37 |
€247.00 |
€250.00 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance - Under 66 |
1.46 |
€104.50 |
€105.75 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance – 66 and Over |
0.88 |
€123.50 |
€125.00 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
0.05 |
€176.00 |
€178.10 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance – 26 and Over |
23.67 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance – Under 25 |
1.34 |
€102.70 |
€103.90 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance – Aged 25 |
0.35 |
€147.80 |
€149.60 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
0.01 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Disability Allowance |
17.20 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Farm Assist |
1.12 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Employment Support Schemes (BTWA & BTEA) |
2.22 |
€193.00 |
€195.30 |
|
Employment/Internship Schemes (CE, Tús, RSS etc.) |
5.07 |
€215.50 |
€218.00 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
2.03 |
€191.00 |
€193.20 |
|
TOTAL |
175.93 |
|
|
The costings listed above include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant. It should also be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018.
Finally, any proposed amendments to the rates of payment must be considered in an overall budgetary context and will have to be consistent with the legal requirements set out in the Fiscal Responsibility Acts 2012 and 2013, and within the context of achieving the targets set for Ireland by the EU rules.
1489. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis that has been carried out on the level of activity in each Intreo office in respect of the number and percentage of persons that they have interviewed in each of the past three years; the actions that have been taken on these interviews; the training and job placement rates, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35211/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLabour market policy is guided by the Pathways to Work Strategy, which seeks to ensure that as many jobs as possible go to people on the Live Register. In line with this objective and as part of the activation agenda, Case Officers employed by my Department deliver activation and case management services to jobseekers across the network of Intreo Centres. Case Officers by their proactive engagement with jobseekers and through the provision of a range of employment supports, encourage and support Jobseekers in their efforts to find and sustain employment.
Since July 2015, when the Activation and Case Management System was introduced, a record of all stages of the activation interactions between the Case Officer and the jobseeker is captured. Following the registration for a jobseeker payment, the obligatory activation journey starts with the initial Group Information Session, the purpose of which is to outline the nature and purpose of the activation process and provide useful jobseeker information. This is followed, typically within a week, by a One to One meeting between the Case Officer and the Jobseeker. The purpose of the One to One meeting is to agree and complete a Personal Progression Plan (PPP). The PPP sets out a series of jointly agreed steps and actions to help the Jobseeker improve their job prospects and achieve their employment goal. The PPP sets out the individual needs of each jobseeker and will be tailored to their personal circumstances. Subsequently, for those remaining on the live register, Activation Review Meetings (ARMs) are held at defined times after the PPP is agreed in order to discuss and review progress on the actions agreed in the PPP.
While systemized data on training, job placement rates and the percentage breakdown of those interviewed in respect of each Intreo centre is not readily available, details of the level of activation engagement activity since July 2015 to date are contained in the following table (1). These figures do not include clients who availed of employment supports outside of the INTREO service.
Table (1) Intreo Activation Meetings
|
Year |
Group Information Session Number of Attendees |
Follow on 1:2;1 Meeting Number of Attendees |
Activation Review Meeting Number of Attendees |
Total number of Attendees |
|
From July 2015 to end of year |
22,9321 |
12,793 |
18,900 |
54,625 |
|
2016 (full year) |
90,125 |
63,114 |
92,944 |
246,183 |
|
2017 to date |
40,211 |
31,281 |
55,956 |
127,448 |
|
Total |
153,268 |
107,188 |
167,800 |
428,256 |
It is worth noting that Case Officers are not solely confined to providing activation services to those on the live register but also provide a service to other cohorts such as people with a disability, who wish to avail of activation and employment supports on a voluntary basis.
Although the labour market situation is improving considerably as the recovery continues, the Government recognises the importance of a continued focus on measures to facilitate unemployed people find and sustain employment. Ensuring that as many as possible of these jobs are taken up by unemployed people continues to be a major overarching objective of the activation policies set out in Pathways to Work 2016-2020.
1490. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a clerical error made in respect of a carer's allowance application granted on appeal to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact the carer's allowance applications were made in respect of two persons and payment only issued in respect of one person; if she will ensure that the person receives their full rate of payment in respect of the two persons they are caring for and issue the full arrears owed in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35212/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 27 April 2016 in respect of two care recipients.
As a result of an appeals officer’s revised decision, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 26 June 2017 with effect from 28 April 2016. However, in error it was awarded in respect of one care recipient only.
When the error was realised, CA was awarded in respect of both care recipients on 18 July 2017. Both awards take effect from 28 April 2016.
A CA payment at the correct rate will issue to the person concerned at their nominated post office on 27 July 2017, and every week thereafter. Arrears for the period from 28 April 2016 to 26 July 2017 has issued by cheque.
The person concerned was notified on 18 July 2017 of this decision. A letter will also issue to the person concerned, apologising for any inconvenience or distress caused by this error.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1492. Deputy Mary Butler 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. [35219/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 13 February 2017 in respect of two care recipients.
The application was disallowed on the grounds that the person concerned failed to provide information as requested by a deciding officer (DO) and as a result her entitlement could not be determined.
The person concerned was notified on 19 May 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application.
The application was disallowed by a deciding officer (DO) on the grounds that the person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week contrary to the conditions for receipt of CA and that her means were not less than the statutory limit.
The person concerned was notified on 18 July 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
