Written Answers Nos. 1230-1265
1230. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the contracts her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department have with a company (details supplied) or its subsidiaries; the value of the contracts; the year in which the contracts were concluded; when the contracts will be up for renewal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy’s question relates to any contracts that my Department currently has with the company concerned. These contracts are detailed in the following table:
|
Details of Contract |
Value of Contract |
Year contract awarded |
Contract Renewal Date (if applicable) |
|
Eircode Database - quarterly update. |
€30,000 p.a. (excluding VAT) |
2015 |
Ongoing |
|
Facilitator to manage a consultation process with disability stakeholders in relation to the “Make Work Pay” Report recommendations. |
€ 20,000 (excluding VAT) – (Estimated based on number of draw- down days) |
2017 |
Contract expires on 30/04/2018 (with an option for renewal of up to 3 months) |
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman, the Social Welfare Tribunal and the Low Pay Commission. None of these statutory bodies currently have contracts with the company in question.
1231. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46386/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the gentleman referred to on 3 October 2017. He was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 31 October 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1232. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an appeal for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46400/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the invalidity pension appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 26 October 2017, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral 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.
1233. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) ceased receiving credits on their PRSI record despite having received them for a number of years and being continuously on carer's allowance; her plans to investigate same; if the credits will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46416/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPRSI credited contributions (“credits”) are an integral part of the social insurance system. For the most part they are linked to having an underlying entitlement to a social welfare payment while temporarily detached from the labour force or having entitlement to statutory leave e.g. parental or maternity leave. The primary purpose of PRSI credits is to secure social welfare benefits and pensions of employees by covering gaps in insurance where they are not in a position to pay PRSI such as during periods of unemployment, illness, etc.
In order to qualify for credits, a person must first have entered insurable employment - he or she must have paid at least one reckonable PRSI contribution at Class A, B, C, D, E, H or P.
If, at any stage since starting work, a person has no reckonable PRSI contributions paid or credited for 2 full tax years in a row, that person cannot get credits until they return to employment and pay reckonable PRSI contributions for 26 weeks. Contributions paid at Class S, i.e. as a self-employed person, cannot be used to satisfy this condition.
A carer’s entitlement to credits is normally ascertained when caring ceases. Current entitlement to credits has been examined and I can confirm that the person concerned qualifies for credits from 5 June 2008 to 1 November 2017. Her record is being updated accordingly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1234. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full-year cost of providing all persons in receipt of the long-term illness scheme card with a free travel pass. [46419/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by almost 80 private transport operators. There are approximately 897,000 customers in receipt of free travel.
Persons resident in Ireland who are over 66 and persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments are eligible for the scheme. The social welfare payments that allow persons aged under 66 to a free travel pass include disability allowance, invalidity pension, carer’s allowance and partial capacity benefit. The Long Term Illness Scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive and not by my Department.
The information sought by the Deputy on the estimated full year cost of providing all persons in receipt of long term illness scheme card with a free travel pass is not available to my Department. Any such cost would manifest itself in the form of requests for increased funding by transport providers, based on increased numbers using the scheme on their service, and so would depend on a number of factors including the type of travel pass issued (e.g., single or companion pass), the number of journeys made using the free travel pass, the prevailing fares, and the type of journeys undertaken, i.e., rail, bus or Luas.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1235. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the new youth employment support scheme will be aimed at young persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46422/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) is a new work experience programme targeted at young people who are long-term unemployed or who face significant barriers to gaining employment – people who even during the Celtic Tiger years would have found it difficult to get a foothold on the career ladder. The programme aims to provide them with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement.
The scheme is not aimed exclusively at people with disabilities, but it will be open to them to apply. To qualify for participation, a person must be aged between 18 and 24 and have been out of work and in receipt of a qualifying payment for at least 12 months or, if unemployed for less than 12 months, be considered by a case worker to face a significant barrier to getting work.
Candidates must be in receipt of one of the following qualifying payments: Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker Transition Payment, Disability Allowance, Blind Person’s Pension or Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
The new scheme will be launched in Q2/2018. YESS placements will be publicly advertised and people interested in participating will be advised to contact their local Intreo Centre. Participation will be entirely voluntary.
1236. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the implementation of the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46423/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) for People with Disabilities (2015-2024) was developed in consultation with Government Departments, State Agencies, the National Disability Authority, the Disability Stakeholder Group and the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, and adopted by Government in October 2015. The ten year strategy is a cross-Government approach co-ordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality and provides a roadmap to ensure that people with a disability who are able to and want to work are supported and enabled to do so.
As part of delivering on my Department’s commitment, an interdepartmental “Make Work Pay” group was established and its report, published earlier this year, included a number of recommendations designed to assist people with disabilities achieve their employment ambitions. In launching the report, the Government announced that people with a long-term disability payment who move off the payment to get a job will retain their free travel pass for a period of five years.
The Government has also accepted the report’s recommendation to dispense with the requirement that work be of a ‘rehabilitative nature’ for the disability allowance earnings disregard. This means that a report from a doctor is no longer required before commencing work and that the focus is on capacity rather than incapacity. The legislative provisions giving effect to this measure are included in the Social Welfare Pensions and Civil Registration Bill, 2017.
Other recommendations relate to extending the principle of early engagement to disability allowance and other disability payments. In keeping with the Government promise for a process of consultation with people with disabilities, their parents and the disability sector, my Department, with the assistance of a Make Work Pay Disability Stakeholders Focus Group and an independent external facilitator, has been co-designing an extensive consultation process about the Make Work Pay recommendations on early engagement. There has also been progress on ensuring a fast track return to welfare payments for people with disabilities, who having taken up or returned to work, are unable to continue in employment.
The Ability programme, which was launched in September 2017, is aimed at bringing young people with disabilities, who are not work-ready, closer to the labour market. The programme will promote employment prospects and meaningful social roles for young people with disabilities and in particular, young people who are distant from the labour market using a range of person-centred supports.
The focus of the programme will be on projects aimed at young people with disabilities (aged 15 – 29) and designed to assist in their transition from school to further education and employment. The funding for this programme will amount to some €10 million over a three year period and is co-funded by the Irish Exchequer and the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning operational programme, 2014-2020 (PEIL, 2014 – 20).
Also under the CES, my Department has in recent years rolled out its full Intreo service to people with disabilities who wish to avail of the service on a voluntary basis. In such cases, people with disabilities who present at an Intreo Centre will be offered an interview by an employment support officer with a view to agreeing a suitable progression plan.
In Budget 2018, I announced the introduction of the Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS). This is a new work experience scheme which will be available to jobseekers and other eligible cohorts including people with disabilities in receipt of disability allowance and blind person’s pension. Participation in YESS will be voluntary and the net weekly payment for a person working 30 hours per week will be €283.96. A designated case officer will liaise with the participant and the host organisation throughout the period of placement, which will generally be for 3 months, and each placement will involve defined learning and development outcomes for the participant.
Progress in implementing actions under the Strategy is regularly reported by the Department to the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group. The Chair of this Group, Mr Fergus Finlay, presented his first progress report in March 2017. The report notes the work advanced by the Department to build the capacity of its Intreo service to better support persons with disabilities who want to pursue further education, training or work opportunities and the progress being made in upskilling staff to better support claimants with disabilities.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
1237. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46427/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 21 August 2017.
The matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 1 November 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.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1238. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the names of the special advisers employed in her Department; the names of special advisers to Ministers of State in her Department; the annual salary of each adviser; if these persons were special advisers immediately prior to taking up their current role or immediately prior to the June 2017 Cabinet reshuffle; if so, the Minister to which they were appointed; the date each special adviser was appointed with effect as stated in the Government order; the date of the Government order; if they received a salary for the period before the appointment order was signed in the case of special advisers whose appointment order date has an effect date earlier than the order date; if so, by whom they were paid; if a special adviser during a period later backdated by appointment order had access to confidential material or Cabinet papers; if they were subject to the Official Secrets Act 1963 during this period; if any persons currently employed as special advisers have not yet been appointed by order since the Cabinet reshuffle of 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46467/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI currently have two Special Advisers working with me. Their details are as follows:
|
Name |
Salary |
Salary Paid From |
Government Order |
|
Denise Duffy |
€81,767 |
14 June 2017 |
18 July 2017 |
|
Gerry Mullins |
€81,767 |
2 October 2017 |
26 September 2017 |
Mr. Mullins was not a Special Adviser prior to appointment to his current role.
Ms. Duffy previously served as a Special Adviser to me when I was Chief Whip in the Department of the Taoiseach. The details of this appointment are as follows:
|
Name |
Salary |
Salary paid from |
Government Order |
|
Denise Duffy |
€79,401 |
3 October 2016 |
15 November 2016 |
The Office of the Attorney General has advised that there are no legal reasons why orders should not have retrospective dates.
1239. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the departmental review on the terms and conditions surrounding seasonal workers accessing social welfare; when the report will be published; if the situation facing hundreds of seasonal workers that cannot access social welfare when their employment ends will be rectified on foot of the consideration of the departmental review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1240. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if terms and conditions have changed for seasonal workers accessing social welfare entitlements in the context of budget 2018; if these changes are expected to be made in the upcoming Social Welfare Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46522/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1239 and 1240 together.
The jobseeker's benefit (JB) and jobseeker’s allowance (JA) schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and who are available for and genuinely seeking full-time employment. JA is a means tested social assistance payment whereas JB is a contribution based insurance scheme. The 2017 Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseekers’ schemes of €2.5 billion.
It is important in the interests of equity and fairness that the conditions for receipt of a jobseekers payment apply to all recipients, including those who could be categorised as seasonal and part-time workers.
One of the conditions for receipt of JB is that the person must be unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7 in order to qualify. However, there are circumstances where it is possible for a person to be engaged in employment (either insurable or self-employment) on a given day and still satisfy the unemployment condition for that day. This type of employment is known as ‘subsidiary employment’. In order to be deemed “subsidiary”, the employment must be capable of being carried out outside the ordinary working hours of person’s “usual employment”. In addition, the employment is subject to a daily earnings limit of €12.70 per day unless the person has more than 117 contributions paid in the preceding three years from the date of their claim (in which case no earnings limit is applicable).
Where a person exhausts their entitlement to JB, they must pay 13 additional PRSI contributions after the last day of payment in order to re-qualify. The 13 contributions needed to re-qualify for JB can be paid in respect of full time employment, seasonal employment, part-time employment or casual employment. If a seasonal or a part time worker meets this requirement they may re-qualify for JB. This requirement is in place to ensure the person has a reasonable connection with the labour market before he or she can re-qualify for payment. If a person does not re-qualify for JB or has used up his or her entitlement to JB, then he or she can apply for JA.
In Budget 2018 I provided for an increase of €5 per week in the maximum personal rates of all weekly payments, including JA and JB as well as proportionate increases in weekly payments for qualified adults and a €2 per week increases in payments in respect of qualified children. These increases will come into effect from the week beginning 26 March 2018. There are no changes to the qualifying conditions to the JA or JB schemes.
An Taoiseach, in his previous role as Minister for Social Protection, gave a commitment at Dáil report stage of the Social Welfare Bill 2016 that he would ask officials to examine the issue of jobseeker’s benefit and the treatment of part-time and seasonal workers, including those categorised as having subsidiary employment. As a result, my Department is currently finalising a report in relation to these issues.
1241. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if changes will be made regarding the terms and conditions for those in receipt of farm assist in the context of the Social Welfare Bill for budget 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe farm assist scheme provides support for farmers on low incomes and is similar to jobseeker’s allowance. Farm assist recipients retain the advantages of the jobseeker’s allowance scheme such as the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. The 2017 Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of €82.8 million on the farm assist scheme.
Budget 2017 introduced measures in relation to the assessment of means for farm assist which reversed all changes introduced in Budgets 2012 and 2013. These measures included that farm income would be assessed at 70% (down from 100%) with an additional annual means disregard of €254 for each of the first two children and €381 for the third and subsequent children. These improvements came into effect in March 2017. In addition, Budget 2017 increased the rate of payment for farm assist by €5 per week to €193 per week.
Farm Assist recipients will benefit from the following measures which I provided for in Budget 2018; the €5 per week increase in the maximum weekly rates of payment, proportionate increases in weekly payments for qualified adults, a €2 per week increase for each qualified child; the 85% Christmas Bonus. These changes are being introduced by the Social Welfare (Budget) Bill 2018. In addition, farm assist recipients are eligible to avail of the 250 additional places on the Rural Social Scheme which I announced as part of the Budget 2018 package.
1242. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of photography in her Department since January 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46533/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total cost of photography in my Department for the period 1 January 2017 to date is €6,821.
Photography services are used, in conjunction with some press releases and conferences, to communicate my Department’s initiatives, schemes and services to customers and to the regional and national media.
1243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has had a deduction in their pension payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46576/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of a reduced rate state pension (contributory) based on an assessed yearly average of 18 contributions covering the period from October 1962, the date the person entered insurable employment, to December 2010. According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has a social insurance record of 871 reckonable contributions and is in receipt of the correct rate of payment based on this social insurance record. There are gaps in the person’s insurance record from 1968 to 1994, which impact on the overall yearly average of the person concerned, and consequently on their rate of weekly pension entitlement.
An investigation determined that a commercial partnership existed between the person concerned and their spouse. Additional self-employment contributions for years 1994 to 2002 were added to the person’s insurance record, once their outstanding social insurance liabilities had been paid in full. The date of their last payment was 17 April 2013 and in accordance with social welfare legislation, the person was awarded a state pension (contributory) from that date.
The rate adjustment to which the Deputy refers relates to an earlier erroneous award of state pension (contributory) at full rate with effect from 17 April 2013. Their rate of entitlement was subsequently corrected, with effect from 28 June 2013. A letter was sent to the person concerned explaining their payment rate adjustment.
While the person concerned also has modified social insurance contributions, relating to a period of employment from 1962 to 1968, these are not included in the current pension eligibility calculation as would result in a lower rate of entitlement than that which is in payment. Based on the records held by the Department, the person concerned is receiving the most financially beneficial rate of pension entitlement due to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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. [46578/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 28 April 2017.
Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 22 June 2017. Following receipt of this information it was determined that the matter should be referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46579/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the carer’s allowance appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 26 October 2017, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral 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.
1246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46580/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the carer’s allowance appeal by the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral 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.
1247. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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. [46581/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 31 October 2017 who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral 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.
1248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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. [46582/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 19 June 2017.
It is a condition for receipt of carer’s allowance in respect of a child who is less than 16 years of age that domiciliary care allowance (DCA) must be in payment in respect of that child.
A DCA application in respect of the child of the person concerned was disallowed and following an appeal, that decision was upheld.
The person concerned has submitted further evidence which is currently under review by the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Should this review be successful, her entitlement to Carer's Allowance can be re-examined.
In the meantime her husband’s entitlement to Family Income Supplement will be examined and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1249. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46592/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that an application from this gentleman for disability allowance (DA) was received by the department on 21 August 2017. The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances.
Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46594/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis gentleman submitted an application for disability allowance on 19 July 2017.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 27 October 2017. He was also notified of his right to a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46601/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that an application from this gentleman for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 15 June 2017. The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances.
The SWI is currently awaiting requested information from the client. Once the SWI has received the information they will submit his/her report to DA section. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will then be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1252. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for changes to the social welfare system which would provide greater rights to self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46624/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the self-employed can qualify for various social welfare supports now and in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47117/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1252 and 1284 together.
The Government is committed to encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship. This includes enhancing the position of the self-employed through a supportive tax regime and, very importantly, improving the level of PRSI based benefits available to self-employed people.
Self-employed people who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory), widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity benefit, adoptive benefit and paternity benefit.
Since March 2017, the self-employed have access to the treatment benefit scheme which includes free eye and dental examinations, and contributions towards the cost of hearing aids. Treatment benefit entitlements were also extended from October 2017 so as to provide further dental and optical benefits.
Even more significantly, self-employed contributors will be eligible for the invalidity pension from December 2017. For the first time, this will give the self-employed access to the safety net of State income supports if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability without having to go through a means test. This is a real advance in the level of cover available to the self-employed.
The extension of additional social insurance cover for the self-employed to other benefits on a phased basis in future Budgets, is being considered. This will have to take account of the cost of providing such cover, including implications for the long-term financing of social insurance benefits generally. While the social insurance fund currently has a surplus, it faces significant financial challenges in the years ahead in order to ensure adequate and sustainable social insurance pensions and benefits for a growing and aging population.
The issue of extending additional social insurance benefits to the self-employed paying class S PRSI was considered in the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) as at 31 December, 2015, which I published on 18 October 2017. The review, required by legislation, was carried out by independent consultants, KPMG. It examines the projected income and expenditure of the SIF over the course of the 55 year period from 2016 to 2071.
The review found that while the fund currently has a modest surplus of income over expenditure it will return to a small shortfall in 2020. The annual shortfalls are projected to increase from 2021 onwards over the medium to long term, as the aging of the population impacts. Projections indicate that, in the absence of further action to tackle the shortfall, the excess of expenditure over income of the fund will increase from €0.2 billion in 2020 to €3.3 billion by 2030 and to €22.2 billion by 2071. As referenced above self-employed workers will be eligible to apply for invalidity pension from December 2017 and the cost of this introduction has been factored into the actuarial review.
As part of the review the independent consultants were required to project the additional expenditure if invalidity pension and illness, jobseeker’s and carer’s benefits were extended to class S self-employed workers and the PRSI contribution rates required to provide these benefits on a revenue neutral basis.
The review found that the combined cost of introducing the invalidity, illness, jobseeker’s and carer’s benefits for class S contributions is estimated to be €118 million in 2018, rising steadily to €223 million in 2020. By 2025 the projected cost is €413 million and, over the period of the review the cost would rise to €1.3 billion in 2071.
The review indicates that, where these benefits are extended to the self-employed, the class S rate of PRSI contribution would need to increase substantially in order to ensure that the benefits are delivered in a revenue neutral manner. It estimates that when expenditure on the additional benefits is considered over the entire projection period, PRSI rates would need to increase by 94% under a scenario of no subvention from the exchequer. This is equivalent to an increase of the class S contribution rate from the current 4% rate to 7.8%.
This increased contribution is attributable only to the costs of extending these additional benefits to PRSI class S contributors. It does not take account of the value to class S contributors of access to the range of existing benefits, and in particular State pension (contributory).
The consultants estimated that the typical cost of State pension (contributory) on its own is of the order of 10% to 15%, depending on other factors including rate of average earnings and date of commencing paying PRSI. Adding in the other benefits referenced the total class S rate of contribution to ensure revenue neutrality would be of the order of 20% per annum.
The findings of the review will play an important role in informing the overall debate on policy developments in relation to the social insurance fund in the years ahead including the financial sustainability of the fund given the expected demographic challenges and consideration of extending the scope of benefits for workers generally, including the self-employed.
The actuarial review provides government with an evidence-led and timely opportunity to consider reforms as to how our social insurance system is financed, on which I intend to consult widely.
1253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 30 August 2017.
The application was awarded to the person concerned on 2 November 2017 and the first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 16 November 2017.
Arrears of allowance due from 31 August 2017 to 15 November 2017 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 2 November 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.
1254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46646/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis man has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 13 July 2016. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 22 November 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.
1255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the illness benefit appeal by the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral 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.
1256. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to implement a review of maternity leave provisions for parents of infants in neonatal intensive care units that may not be pre-term but that are in the unit for health reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46691/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, Charlie Flanagan T.D., the Minister for Justice and Equality has responsibility for maternity leave which is provided for in the 1994 and 2004 Maternity Acts while I have responsibility for maternity benefit payments provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended).
Maternity leave legislation provides a 26 week period of statutory maternity leave. Subject to the provisions of social welfare legislation, the 26-week period of core statutory maternity leave attracts a social insurance payment of maternity benefit.
On 3 October 2017 I, together with Minister Flanagan announced increased maternity leave and maternity benefit for mothers whose babies are born prematurely on or after 1 October. The additional period will commence at the end of the standard 26 week period of paid maternity leave. The extended period to be added will be the number of weeks from the baby's actual date of birth up to two weeks before the expected date of confinement which would have been the 37th week of the pregnancy, at which point the current entitlement to 26 weeks leave and benefit would normally begin.
A mother can also take a further 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave which must be taken immediately after the end of her paid maternity leave. This period is not covered by maternity benefit but a mother is entitled to a credited social insurance contribution for each week of unpaid leave that is taken (up to the maximum of 16).
Legislation currently allows for the postponement of maternity leave and maternity benefit for up to six months with the employer’s agreement in cases where the child is hospitalised. In these cases entitlement to maternity leave and benefit continues after the period of postponement for a maximum of twelve weeks.
Eligible parents can also avail of two weeks paid paternity leave at any time within the first 26 weeks following the birth or date of placement of the child. Paternity benefit is available for employed and self-employed people who are on paternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI) contributions. Paternity leave and paternity benefit can also be postponed for up to six months in cases where the child is hospitalised.
Parents also have an entitlement to parental leave which is unpaid. Since 8 March 2013 the amount of parental leave available for each child amounts to a total of 18 working weeks per child. Both parents have an equal separate entitlement to parental leave.
I have no plans for further changes to the maternity benefit provisions at present.
1258. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability benefit application by a person (details supplied); the estimated decision date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 1 November 2017, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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.
1259. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is being paid the full pension. [46759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of a reduced rate state pension (contributory) based on an assessed yearly average of 38 contributions and credits, covering the period from March 1965 to December 2014. An Increase for living alone and fuel allowance (payable during winter months) were also awarded from 4 March 2015.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has a social insurance record of 1932 reckonable contributions and credits and is in receipt of the correct rate of contributory pension based on this record. If the person considers that additional contributions or credits have not been recorded, it is open to them to submit documentary evidence of any missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
The person’s eligibility for the homemakers scheme is currently being examined. This scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for state pension (contributory) easier for a claimant who has taken time out of the workforce for caring duties. It allows up to 20 years (since 1994) spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or for an incapacitated person(s), to be disregarded when calculating entitlement to pension. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which the person’s contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average. If the person is found to be entitled to a home-making period, their pension entitlement will be reviewed and the person will be notified of the outcome without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1260. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application by a person (details supplied) for illness benefit will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46807/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness benefit is a payment for persons who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) conditions. For illness benefit claims made in 2017 the governing contribution year is 2015.
The rate of payment depends on the person’s level of earnings in the governing PRSI contribution year. Where the average weekly earnings are €300, or more, the personal rate of payment is €193 weekly. A graduated rate applies where the average weekly earnings are less than €300.
The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit and this claim was registered in my Department on 30 May 2017. The person concerned did not meet the qualifying criteria based on the records held by my Department and was sent a form asking for information on any other contributions or credits due to them. When this form was returned my Department verified that a VTOS (Training Course) credits were due for 2015 which enabled qualification.
The person concerned qualified for a graduated rate of illness benefit of €86.70 weekly, based on earnings in the governing year 2015. Payment to the date of the latest medical certificate received has been paid.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance is payable where a person’s means are insufficient to meet their needs. Application may be made to the Community Welfare Services at the local Intreo Centre.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if adequate resources are in place to ensure minimum waiting times in respect of decisions on appeal with regard to various payments; if every effort is being made to reduce such waiting times to the minimum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46340/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average appeal processing times for all appeals determined from 2015 to date in 2017 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the following tables.
My Department, like all Government departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department, including the Social Welfare Appeals Office and all areas involved in the processing of appeals, are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
Appeal processing times are kept under constant scrutiny by the Chief Appeals Officer. The Deputy will be aware that significant effort and resources have been devoted in recent years to reducing the length of the time taken to finalise an appeal and that as a consequence processing times have improved quite considerably.
The overall average processing time, across all schemes, for appeals requiring an oral hearing reduced from 52.5 weeks in 2011 to 25.5 weeks in 2015, and 24.1 weeks in 2016. The overall average time taken to finalise appeals decided by way of a summary decision has also improved in recent years from a peak of 25.1 weeks in 2011 to 18.1 weeks in 2015, and 17.6 weeks in 2016.
I understand from the Chief Appeals Officer that there has been a slight increase in overall appeal processing times to date in 2017 with appeals requiring an oral hearing taking an average of 26 weeks and summary decisions taking 20 weeks to finalise. However she is hopeful that this will be addressed in the coming months as a number of newly appointed Appeals Officers who have replaced officers who retired become more experienced in their roles.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects all aspects of the appeal process including time spent in the Department preparing the appeal submission. The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time-lags involved. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which require a high level of judgement, and the need to ensure due process and natural justice. The system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information at all stages which is to the benefit of the appellant.
The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times will continue to be a priority for her office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/12/2015
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) -Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) - Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
21.1 |
30.7 |
|
Carers Allowance |
20.6 |
25.9 |
|
Carers Benefit |
19.7 |
21.8 |
|
Child Benefit |
24.8 |
34.7 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15.8 |
21.4 |
|
Illness Benefit |
26.3 |
33.1 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
25.7 |
43.4 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
21.7 |
28.7 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
19.7 |
26.2 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
16.2 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.0 |
28.6 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
65.7 |
26.0 |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
- |
22.6 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
19.4 |
27.7 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
26.2 |
28.4 |
|
Liable Relatives |
22.8 |
31.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
22.6 |
17.5 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
22.9 |
33.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
26.0 |
46.0 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
20.4 |
30.8 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
80.1 |
53.4 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
20.3 |
35.0 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.7 |
35.3 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
41.2 |
51.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
18.2 |
27.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.7 |
31.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
15.8 |
26.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
15.2 |
21.9 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
- |
46.1 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
14.1 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
12.9 |
21.3 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
21.0 |
30.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
14.3 |
21.2 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
15.0 |
- |
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.9 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
21.2 |
23.6 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
47.6 |
69.4 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
13.1 |
23.5 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
24.1 |
46.6 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
23.7 |
38.3 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
18.4 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
18.1 |
25.5 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) - Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) -Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
18.2 |
33.8 |
|
Carers Allowance |
17.6 |
21.6 |
|
Carers Benefit |
20.7 |
22.4 |
|
Child Benefit |
22.1 |
38.2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
14.6 |
20.1 |
|
Illness Benefit |
27.2 |
34.3 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
27.3 |
33.6 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
24.3 |
30.6 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
13.0 |
32.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.9 |
26.0 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
23.1 |
- |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
19.7 |
- |
|
Liable Relatives |
14.0 |
16.9 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
20.4 |
25.5 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
21.3 |
28.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18.9 |
21.7 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
21.7 |
31.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.6 |
45.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
22.7 |
32.9 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
67.7 |
61.3 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
25.0 |
31.9 |
|
Disablement Pension |
25.8 |
26.8 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
27.7 |
50.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
15.8 |
24.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.4 |
23.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
16.7 |
25.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16.0 |
20.9 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
21.0 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
19.0 |
22.3 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
32.5 |
31.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
16.0 |
27.2 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.1 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
18.1 |
23.3 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
36.6 |
85.7 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
15.0 |
24.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
16.6 |
28.8 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
18.4 |
23.4 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
23.5 |
63.8 |
|
All Appeals |
17.6 |
24.1 |
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) - Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) - Oral Hearings |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
13.4 |
- |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
20.4 |
24.4 |
|
Carers Allowance |
21.3 |
23.7 |
|
Carers Benefit |
16.3 |
21.2 |
|
Child Benefit |
22.3 |
32.1 |
|
Disability Allowance |
18.4 |
23.4 |
|
Illness Benefit |
27.3 |
30.3 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
35.1 |
28.1 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
26.0 |
32.6 |
|
Deserted Wifes Benefit |
13.1 |
15.7 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.0 |
25.7 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
15.1 |
- |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
102.10 |
- |
|
Family Income Supplement |
19.6 |
33.5 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
16.1 |
23.8 |
|
Liable Relatives |
18.8 |
24.1 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18.8 |
19.4 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
22.7 |
- |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
25.2 |
34.8 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
30.7 |
46.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
25.3 |
34.1 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
81.1 |
- |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
19.5 |
26.4 |
|
Disablement Pension |
24.9 |
28.8 |
|
Medical Care |
- |
27.3 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
54.2 |
37.2 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
25.3 |
25.1 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
15.2 |
23.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
19.1 |
26.8 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
17.4 |
24.7 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
19.9 |
27.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
22.5 |
24.7 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
27.8 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
20.0 |
23.2 |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
17.8 |
25.2 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
14.0 |
- |
|
Insurability of Employment |
36.9 |
91.3 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
16.5 |
25.2 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
22.9 |
34.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
20.4 |
24.1 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
14.1 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
20.0 |
26.0 |
1262. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by those foster carers in receipt of jobseeker's allowance now being invited to attend job skills groups which is not taking into account the type of work they do as carers in view of the fact that this could have a detrimental effect on the numbers of those that are foster carers. [43710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and who are available for and genuinely seeking full-time employment. Jobseeker’s allowance is a means tested social assistance payment whereas jobseeker’s benefit is a contribution based insurance scheme. The 2017 Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseekers’ schemes of €2.5 billion.
Jobseeker’s payments compensate for periods of involuntary unemployment only and for this reason social welfare legislation provides that all jobseekers must satisfy certain qualifying conditions in order to be entitled to an unemployment payment including. These include being available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. Associated with these conditions, recipients are expected to be available to attend group information sessions and other meetings at their local Intreo centre.
It is important in the interests of equity and fairness that the conditions for receipt of a jobseekers payment apply to all recipients. It is essential to the sustainability and integrity of the jobseeker’s schemes that these criteria remain a core feature of the State’s supports for jobseekers.
I have no plans to introduce exemptions to the availability or genuinely seeking work conditions for people in receipt of foster care allowance or any other group.
1263. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a letter sent to her and copied to some members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if a reply will issue to the person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46861/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that it is policy that all such letters to me are answered where there is a return address.
“Developing the National Pension System - Final Report of the National Pensions Board”, published in 1993, recommended that the number of paid contributions required to qualify for a contributory pension should be increased to 520 contributions. The necessary legislation to effect the recommendations of the National Pensions Board was contained in Section 12 of the Social Welfare Act 1997 (now incorporated in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005) which provided for the implementation of the change in two stages, with the paid contribution requirement being standardised at 260 from 2002, rising to 520 from April 2012. This condition applies for all new claims to the State pension (contributory).
The Yearly Averaging method of calculating the level of entitlement has been used since the introduction of the State Pension (contributory) in 1961. The homemaker's 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 when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes, subject to the standard qualifying conditions for State pension contributory also being satisfied. This has the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, which is used to set the rate of his or her pension.
It should be noted that the increase in paid contributions required, from 260 to 520, does not impact upon the yearly average calculation, which is still calculated in the normal way. It should also be noted that backdating the Homemakers scheme, which was introduced in 1994 and took effect from that date, would not assist someone with insufficient paid contributions to qualify for a contributory pension, as it involves the disregard of years, rather than the creation of paid contributions.
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 means-tested State pension non-contributory, which amounts up to 95% of the maximum contributory rate.
It is planned that a total contributions approach will replace the yearly average approach from around 2020. The position of homemakers will be carefully considered in the context of that reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1264. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the analysis that has been carried out in regard to the impact a company (details supplied) and Turas Nua has had on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46869/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuras Nua is one of the contractors delivering the Jobpath service on behalf of my department. 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. These are two different activation supports with different natures and delivery models. It is not the case that either activation support would have an impact on the other.
Moreover, Jobseekers who are already participating with the JobPath service will not be referred to CE Schemes as they can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time. Similarly while someone is on a CE scheme, they are not selected for Jobpath. This allows the scheme or 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 and also to ensure that the best use is made of the available places on all activation supports. 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 a DEASP case officer. They may then apply for other activation supports such as CE, thus ensuring ongoing availability to CE schemes.
1265. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that are approved for a domiciliary care allowance, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46873/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics on Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) recipients is not collated on a county basis. As a result the information requested cannot be provided. However, as of 31 October 2017, there were 34,498 DCA claims in payment in respect of 37,546 children.
