Micheál Martin
Ceist:20. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has met or spoken to President Putin recently. [43828/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTaoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (20)
Freagraí scríofa
I have not had the opportunity to meet or speak with President Putin since coming into office.
Departmental Priorities
Ceisteanna (21)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:21. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his key priorities in his Department for the next three months. [43830/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's primary role is to support me as Taoiseach, and the Government, in delivering on our programme of work.
During the next three months, my Department will therefore support delivery of significant Government policy objectives including:
- development of a Ten-Year Capital Investment Plan alongside the National Planning Framework;
- ensuring that Ireland's key Brexit priorities continue to be strongly represented in the ongoing negotiations between the EU27 and the UK;
- supporting the peace process and restoration of a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland;
- developing the Action Plan for Jobs 2018, including specific responses to the challenge of Brexit;
- finalising a roadmap for pensions reform;
- implementing Rebuilding Ireland to increase housing supply and tackle homelessness;
- developing the Government's response to the Slaintecare Report.
These are just a few of the many policies which will be progressed over that period.
In most of these areas, the primary responsibility lies with the relevant line Departments. The role of my Department is to help ensure that policies are developed and implemented in a coherent way across different Departments, and to support me in my role as head of Government. This includes my role as chair of Government meetings and Cabinet Committees, attendance at the European Council, and other national and international engagements.
My Department will also seek to ensure effective communication of Government policy in these and other areas, in particular through the new Strategic Communications Unit.
My Department is also currently updating its Statement of Strategy to reflect some of the changes that have taken place in recent months following my appointment as Taoiseach. This includes the establishment of a new configuration of Cabinet Committees, and some changes in the functions of Ministers of State in the Department
Questions Nos. 22 to 48, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 49 to 55, inclusive, answered orally.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Ceisteanna (56)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:56. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons aged 65 years of age and over that are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46865/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no statutory retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers. Retirement age in the public sector is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. State pension age is currently 66.
Where a person exits the workforce before reaching State pension age they may apply for either the jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance schemes. Jobseeker’s payments are paid to eligible jobseekers aged 18 to 66 years and all recipients of a jobseeker’s payment are subject to the rules of the scheme. At the end of September, there were over 2,800 recipients of jobseeker’s allowance aged 65 and over.
People in receipt of a jobseeker's payment must engage with my Department's activation measures. From January 2014, these criteria were eased for people aged 62 and over, such that they are not obliged to engage with the activation process. However, they are still able to voluntarily avail of a range of supports from my Department if they wish to return to work, training or education.
Furthermore, the majority of these people will have to register with their local Intreo centre only once a year and their payments will be paid directly into their bank accounts. Once a person has exhausted their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit, they may be eligible for jobseeker’s allowance, subject to the means test and other qualifying conditions. However, someone claiming jobseeker’s benefit from a date after their 65th birthday continues to be eligible for that payment until reaching State pension age which is currently 66 years of age.
Questions Nos. 57 and 58 answered orally.
Rural Social Scheme
Ceisteanna (59)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:59. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her policy on the rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46339/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Deputies on all sides of the House are fully aware of the positive benefits derived from schemes like the Rural Social Scheme. In recognition of the crucial work undertaken in rural communities under the scheme, and as part of the social welfare budget package for 2018, I was very pleased to announce an additional 250 places in 2018, as well as an increase in the weekly rate of payment for participants from March of next year.
Taking into account the 500 additional places already allocated as part of the social welfare Budget 2017, this brings the total number of Rural Social Scheme places to 3,350, nearly 30% of an increase in the last two years.
In order to qualify to participate on the scheme, all new entrants to the scheme since 1 February 2017 must be over 25 years of age and, in addition, a 6 year overall participation limit applies to participants joining the scheme from this date. Those who joined prior to this date may remain on the scheme if they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions.
This will ensure that there will be a throughput of places available and also ensures that younger people have a chance to explore other training/education options prior to participation on the scheme.
As the Deputy knows, the scheme has played an important role in sustaining rural communities. Participants have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills, while performing valuable work in their local communities. In tandem, communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen and community groups have benefitted from the many projects undertaken through the scheme with minimal cost to the Exchequer.
Finally, the Deputy should note that while the Implementing Bodies have responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the scheme, including recruitment, my Department is working closely with them to ensure that all the places are filled as quickly as possible, along with the additional 250 places which will be allocated over the coming months.
Questions Nos. 60 to 62, inclusive, answered orally.
JobPath Data
Ceisteanna (63)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:63. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of additional jobs created by the JobPath programme; the cost of the programme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46338/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is a 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. It is important to note that these types of services, which are delivered under contract by JobPath, Local Employment Service and Job Club providers, do not create employment in themselves rather they assist jobseekers to enter or re-enter full time paid employment.
There are two phases to the JobPath service. During the first phase, of 12 months duration, an appointed personal advisor provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment. The second phase starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work. During this phase the personal advisor continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months.
As at 30 September, some 124,000 Jobseekers have commenced with the JobPath service. The latest published data indicates that full-time job starts under JobPath exceed the target rate set by 36%.
JobPath is a payment by results model and all costs are borne by the companies themselves.
The payments made are in respect of an initial registration fee, on completion of a personal progression plan, and thereafter fees are only paid for sustained employment outcomes of 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks duration.
The gross cost of the service since July 2015 up to the end of September 2017 is €71.2m. The overall cost of the service will be determined by the number of people who engage with the service, the number of jobseekers who successfully sustain employment and less the saving arising to the department from a payment by results model of contracting.
Questions Nos. 64 to 66, inclusive, answered orally.
Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Ceisteanna (67, 85)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:67. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017 will be amended to provide protection for persons facing attacks on their defined benefit schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
John Brady
Ceist:85. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason protections for members of defined benefit schemes were removed from the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017; her plans to address the ongoing issues faced by members in particular schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46702/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 85 together.
The General Scheme of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2017, which was published in May, contained a number of key measures to respond to the ongoing difficulties in defined benefit schemes and to increase protections for members. The proposals provide for -
i) the introduction of a time limit for submitting funding proposals and for the annual preparation and submission of actuarial funding certificates;
ii) the introduction of a minimum notice period when an employer decides to cease contributions to a scheme; and
iii) the Pensions Authority to direct payment of a funding obligation payable by the employer to the trustees of the scheme where a scheme is in deficit and the sponsoring employer has failed to adequately support the scheme to address the funding deficit.
Given the technical and complex nature of the provisions in the General Scheme, including the pension provisions, there was not adequate time to include all of these measures in the text of the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017 at Second Stage in the Dáil. It is my intention to introduce these amendments to the Bill at Committee Stage.
Finally, many of the provisions contained within the IORP II EU Directive (Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision) will also support positive reform of the Irish occupational pension sector. Implementation of the Directive will require legislative changes and my officials, together with the Pensions Authority, are working on the transposition process to ensure that any necessary amendments to existing laws, regulations or administrative provisions will be made, or where necessary any new provisions are implemented, to give full effect to the Directive.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
Public Services Card Data
Ceisteanna (68)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the results of a cost benefit analysis that has been undertaken in respect of the public services card, PSC; the number of cards that have been issued to date.; the cost of same; the number that have been activated; the cost incurred to activate the cards; the business case presented for activation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46864/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A Public Services Card (PSC) and an online account called MyGovID may be issued to a person following successful completion of an identity verification process known as SAFE 2. This process authenticates a person’s identity to a substantial level of assurance.
Accordingly, SAFE 2, the PSC and MyGovID are investments in the future of public service provision. They will allow all public service providers over time to be assured that they are dealing with the right person, that identity fraud is minimised, that personal data can be protected, that high-value and personalised public services can be made available to individuals online and remotely, and that Ireland is aligned with the EU’s electronic ID regulations. As a result, more and more public services are beginning to use SAFE 2, the PSC and MyGovID in the provision of their services securely to individuals.
To date over 2.92 million Public Services Cards (PSC) have been issued at a cost of €23.25 million (excl. VAT).
Up to August 2016, when the process was ceased, approximately 1.385 million PSCs had been activated at a cost of €2.47 million.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
One-Parent Family Payment
Ceisteanna (69, 72)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:69. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on an independent review (details supplied) of the amendments to the one-parent family payment since 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46858/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:72. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on her Department's response to a review (details supplied) of the amendments to the one-parent family payment and, in particular, its impact on child poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 72 together.
The independent review completed by Indecon of the changes to the one-parent family payment since 2012 provides a robust and thorough analysis of these changes. I am grateful to Indecon for their work on this and welcome the findings of the review.
The Report supports the rationale and continued relevance of the policy changes made since 2012. It highlights that employment rates increased among lone parents and welfare dependency decreased. However, the report also highlights the risk of poverty for lone parents with no or low-paid employment and the associated policy challenge to integrate these lone parents into the Irish labour market.
These findings reinforced my commitment to make lone parents one of my priorities in Budget 2018 and I have delivered on that commitment. Budget 2018 includes a €5 increase per week in the rates of payment, an increase in the qualified child payment of €2 per week, an increase in the earnings disregard on the one-parent family payment and jobseeker’s transitional payment from €110 to €130 per week. It also extended the fuel allowance season by an additional week, and provided for an increase of €10 per week in the working family payment thresholds (formerly the family income supplement) for families with 1 to 3 children and the continued availability of the back to work family dividend. All of these measures will benefit lone parents.
I intend to provide for the further review of my Department’s supports for lone parents and I anticipate that this review will include data to the end of 2018.
Public Services Card Provision
Ceisteanna (70)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:70. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has carried out a formal assessment regarding the risks of introducing a public services card; if her Department has carried out a data privacy impact assessment with regard to the public services card; the impact of the public services card to date with regard to reducing rates of social welfare fraud, forgery and error; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46867/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All of my Department’s major programmes and operational schemes, including the SAFE/Public Services Card (PSC) Programme, are included in the Department’s Business Planning and Risk Management System, and are reported on every quarter. Additionally, all projects are reviewed by the Department’s Programme Governance Committee (comprising the Department’s most senior managers) approx. every two months with status reports and risk assessments of the various programme elements.
The original Government Decision relating to SAFE identity verification and the PSC was made in 2005 and my Department began the implementation of SAFE registrations and the issuances of PSCs in 2011. My Department complied with all legal Data Protection requirements at that time. Privacy impact assessments will become a legal requirement under the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) in May 2018.
The Department obviously takes its data protection obligations very seriously. Consequently the Department works extensively with the Data Protection Commissioner and consults regularly with her office on any major developments or proposed changes, including over the years in relation to the PSC. The Data Protection Commissioner is clear that all uses for the PSC must be set out in legislation and that the Department should be transparent in the provision of information on the programme. The Department fully agrees with that, and with the help of the Data Protection Commissioner’s Office, has published a Comprehensive Guide on SAFE Registration and the Public Services Card on its website.
SAFE identity verification and the PSC also allow the provision of an online account to individuals called MyGovID. All three are investments in the future of public service provision. They provide significant benefits in that they will allow all public service providers over time to be assured that they are dealing with the right person, that identity registration can be completed on a “once and done” basis, that identity fraud is minimised, that personal data can be protected, that high-value and personalised public services can be made available to individuals online and remotely, and that Ireland is aligned with the EU’s electronic ID regulations. As a result, more and more public services are beginning to use SAFE 2, the PSC and MyGovID in the provision of their services securely to individuals.
Since the introduction of the PSC, my Department has detected 167 cases of suspected identity fraud which have been referred to the Department’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU). Of these, 65 cases have been concluded with 22 finalised in Court (where 19 of them received a custodial sentence), 15 not proceeded (mainly due to the person leaving the jurisdiction), and 28 with formal proceedings issued and awaiting court appearance. Fraud overpayments of approx. €3 Million have been assessed in these 65 cases.
The other 87 cases are under investigation or at various stages of the prosecution process. Assessments will be determined for these (and any others in the future) as they are brought to conclusion.
Where a customer does not attend for a number of SAFE appointments without explanation, the relevant payment can be suspended. In general, experience is that where a claim is suspended as a result of a non-attendance for SAFE registration, the customer gets in touch and complies with SAFE registration, upon which payment is restored. SAFE-related savings are calculated in accordance with the relevant multiplier of the DSP scheme in payment. As of 31/07/2017, savings of over €3 Million has been recorded in respect of 438 cases of suspension. It is important to bear in mind that the SAFE registration process is a dynamic one, with a number of stages to be followed and statistics representing a snapshot at a particular point in time. Claim suspensions are a temporary measure and savings are not claimed where a claim is suspended and the customer subsequently complies with SAFE registration. The relatively small number of cases (438) of claimed savings for payment stopped reflects the generally very high overall rates of compliance with SAFE registration.
The introduction of the Free Travel variant of the PSC, i.e., the PSC-FT, has seen a significant reduction in the number of confiscations of free travel passes. In Q1 and Q2 2017, there were no PSC-FTs confiscated for attempted forgery and 59 PSC-FTs were confiscated as the photo on the card was not that of the cardholder. By contrast, in the same period, 19 paper Free Travel passes were confiscated across the CIE Group and Luas for attempted forgery and 134 paper passes were confiscated as the travel pass was not being used by the correct pass holder. Even this number of 134 is a significant reduction on the 323 paper passes confiscated in Q1 and Q2 2016 (a year earlier) arising from the fact that over 87% of free travel entitled customers now have the PSC-FT rather than a paper pass.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Maternity Leave
Ceisteanna (71, 1187)
John Brady
Ceist:71. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to examine the possibility of extending maternity leave and benefit to mothers of premature babies that were on leave before the commencement date of 1 October 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46703/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:1187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which women may avail of the reformed maternity leave entitlement that did not reach the criteria for the entitlement due to a premature birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 1187 together.
On 3 October 2017 I, together with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan T.D., announced increased maternity leave and maternity benefit for mothers whose babies are born prematurely.
Under the new arrangements, in addition to the current 26 weeks of paid maternity leave a mother will be entitled to an additional period of maternity leave and benefit where her baby is born prematurely, where she meets the ordinary qualifying criteria for the schemes. 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.
The Government decided that the additional maternity leave and benefit would be available for mothers of premature babies born on or after 1 October 2017 and my Department is now working to make sure the necessary arrangements are put in place to meet that deadline. There are no plans to extend the new arrangements to mothers of premature babies born before that date.
Question No. 72 answered with Question No. 69.