Written Answers Nos. 212-218
212. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that applied for a social welfare payment in 2017; the percentage that were refused a payment; the percentage that were successful on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2245/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed where available in the attached tabular statements.
Overall, 60.1% (11,405) of appeals finalised in 2017 had a favourable outcome for the appellant, i.e. were either allowed in full or in part, or resolved by way of a revised decision by a Deciding Officer.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was wrong.
Where new evidence is provided with an appeal the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer as was the case in 37.6% of favourable outcomes for appeals in 2017.
Where the decision is not revised in the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, an Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of an appeal.
Claims processed in 2017 for all available schemes
|
2017 |
Claims Pending Start of Year |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
% of Cleared Claims Rejected |
Cleared |
|
State Pension Contributory (Irish) |
3,593 |
36,672 |
26,212 |
9,442 |
23% |
40,743 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
1,762 |
9,187 |
7,577 |
2,139 |
19% |
11,039 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
3,562 |
129,241 |
118,076 |
2,459 |
2% |
134,905 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
5,955 |
155,854 |
124,790 |
10,238 |
6% |
162,168 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
1,001 |
11,452 |
8,741 |
725 |
6% |
11,360 |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
288 |
7,599 |
5,695 |
1,240 |
17% |
7,370 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
3,953 |
44,227 |
45,621 |
1,570 |
3% |
48,149 |
|
Disability Allowance |
6,058 |
22,538 |
15,814 |
14,800 |
47% |
31,592 |
|
Illness Benefit |
2,273 |
209,750 |
154,692 |
50,083 |
24% |
209,719 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
2,034 |
9,454 |
7,691 |
5,070 |
37% |
13,800 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
4,461 |
18,152 |
14,378 |
7,920 |
33% |
24,186 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA) |
1,524 |
32,448 |
31,301 |
674 |
2% |
32,100 |
|
Child Benefit (EU Regulation) |
1,298 |
3,473 |
3,009 |
716 |
19% |
3,783 |
|
Family Income Supplement (New Claims) |
1,780 |
31,191 |
21,779 |
9,208 |
30% |
30,987 |
|
Family Income Supplement (Renewals) |
695 |
42,714 |
31,130 |
11,538 |
27% |
42,668 |
|
Household Benefits |
3,177 |
75,593 |
56,020 |
18,030 |
21% |
85,878 |
|
Total |
839,545 |
672,526 |
145,852 |
16% |
890,447 |
Outcome of Appeals by category 2017
|
- |
Allowed by Appeals Officer |
Partially Allowed by Appeals Officer |
Revised Deciding Officer’s Decision |
Disallowed |
Withdrawn |
Total |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
75 21.9% |
34 9.9% |
78 22.7% |
128 37.3% |
28 8.2% |
343 |
|
State Pension (Contributory |
35 9.9% |
12 3.4% |
76 21.5% |
218 61.6% |
13 3.7% |
354 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
1 33.3% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
2 66.7% |
- 0.0% |
3 |
|
Widow’s/Widower’s Pension (Contributory) |
8 25.8% |
- 0.0% |
7 22.6% |
15 48.4% |
1 3.2% |
31 |
|
Death Benefit |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 100.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
1 100.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance - Payments |
349 22.2% |
66 4.2% |
309 19.6% |
665 42.3% |
184 11.7% |
1,573 |
|
Jobseeker’s Transitional |
10 27.0% |
4 10.8% |
10 27.0% |
6 16.2% |
7 18.9% |
37 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance -Means |
187 12.9% |
82 5.6% |
264 18.2% |
708 48.7% |
212 14.6% |
1,453 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
67 26.1% |
19 7.4% |
54 21.0% |
67 26.1% |
50 19.5% |
257 |
|
Widow’s/Widower’s Pension (Non-Contributory) |
7 30.4% |
4 17.4% |
3 13.0% |
9 39.1% |
- 0.0% |
23 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
304 22.5% |
34 2.5% |
229 17.0% |
602 44.6% |
180 13.3% |
1,349 |
|
Farm Assist |
22 15.5% |
18 12.7% |
28 19.7% |
60 42.3% |
14 9.9% |
142 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 100.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
83 17.3% |
21 4.4% |
117 24.4% |
206 43.0% |
52 10.9% |
479 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Benefit |
2 40.0% |
1 20.0% |
- 0.0% |
2 40.0% |
- 0.0% |
5 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
10 14.1% |
3 4.2% |
8 11.3% |
49 69.0% |
1 1.4% |
71 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
1 12.5% |
- 0.0% |
3 37.5% |
3 37.5% |
1 12.5% |
8 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
2 100.0% |
- 0.0% |
2 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 100.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 |
|
Disability Allowance |
2,975 60.3% |
70 1.4% |
563 11.4% |
1,211 24.5% |
115 2.3% |
4,934 |
|
Blind Pension |
1 6.7% |
1 6.7% |
3 20.0% |
7 46.7% |
3 20.0% |
15 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
15 33.3% |
1 2.2% |
11 24.4% |
14 31.1% |
4 8.9% |
45 |
|
Allowed by Appeals Officer |
Partially Allowed by Appeals Officer |
Revised Deciding Officer’s Decision |
Disallowed |
Withdrawn |
Total |
|
|
Carer’s Allowance |
1204 35.2% |
161 4.7% |
780 22.8% |
1,199 35.1% |
72 2.1% |
3,416 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
297 37.1% |
10 1.2% |
343 42.8% |
135 16.9% |
16 2.0% |
801 |
|
Carers Support Grant |
35 22.6% |
2 1.3% |
45 29.0% |
72 46.5% |
1 0.6% |
155 |
|
Illness Benefit |
118 23.0% |
8 1.6% |
140 27.2% |
189 36.8% |
59 11.5% |
514 |
|
Injury Benefit |
3 7.9% |
- 0.0% |
2 5.3% |
27 71.1% |
6 15.8% |
38 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
365 27.1% |
7 0.5% |
691 51.3% |
262 19.4% |
23 1.7% |
1,348 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
86 34.4% |
19 7.6% |
30 12.0% |
109 43.6% |
6 2.4% |
250 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
3 30.0% |
1 10.0% |
3 30.0% |
3 30.0% |
- 0.0% |
10 |
|
Medical Care |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
1 50.0% |
1 50.0% |
- 0.0% |
2 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
23 22.1% |
2 1.9% |
39 37.5% |
37 35.6% |
3 2.9% |
104 |
|
Child Benefit |
68 15.5% |
23 5.3% |
154 35.2% |
178 40.6% |
15 3.4% |
438 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
76 15.1% |
15 3.0% |
267 53.1% |
130 25.8% |
15 3.0% |
503 |
|
Back To Work Family Dividend |
7 17.1% |
- 0.0% |
4 9.8% |
25 61.0% |
5 12.2% |
41 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) |
5 33.3% |
1 6.7% |
2 13.3% |
7 46.7% |
- 0.0% |
15 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) |
13 39.4% |
2 6.1% |
4 12.1% |
14 42.4% |
- 0.0% |
33 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
- 0.0% |
2 100.0% |
- 0.0% |
2 |
|
Insurability |
34 24.5% |
4 2.9% |
11 7.9% |
37 26.6% |
53 38.1% |
139 |
|
Liable Relative’s |
- 0.0% |
4 23.5% |
- 0.0% |
11 64.7% |
2 11.8% |
17 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
3 11.5% |
- 0.0% |
3 11.5% |
20 76.9% |
- 0.0% |
26 |
|
TOTAL APPEALS |
6,493 34.2% |
629 3.3% |
4,283 22.6% |
6,434 33.9% |
1,141 6.0% |
18,890 |
213. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that availed of the back to work enterprise allowance in 2017; the estimated full year cost of extending the period whereby a person can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment from two to three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2246/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are on social welfare payments to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years; 100% in year 1 and 75% in year 2.
The average number of participants on the BTWEA scheme in 2017 was 10,380.
The BTWEA underwent a review that was published in 2017. The research conducted during this review demonstrated that the numbers returning from self-employment to the Live Register, after participating on the scheme, are low. Based on the comparison of the BTWEA participants to a control group of similar jobseekers who did not choose the scheme as an option, the BTWEA participant was over twice as likely to remain off the Live Register six months after the payments on the scheme had ceased. This trend continues when examined following an 18 month period after the payments ceasing. One of the considerations of the review was the period of payment and it was deemed not necessary to amend the current 2 year period in light of the success of participants exiting the live Register.
The part played by the BTWEA in supporting the long-term unemployed and other welfare recipients to take up self-employment opportunities is significant.
It is estimated that cost of extending the scheme to a third year, assuming that the payment in year 3 would be equivalent to year 2, would be approximately €50m.
There are no plans to amend the scheme at this time.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
214. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her key priorities in relation to the forthcoming capital review; the projects submitted for priority inclusion in the review; the status of negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2289/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Review Plan 2016 – 2021 was published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in September, 2017. The Plan outlines the Department’s intentions to continue to make significant investment in the continued upgrading and modernisation of DEASP’s IT infrastructure and in carrying out works associated to meet the requirements of the Intreo service and other related support activities.
I understand the new proposed National Development Plan is due to be published shortly. However, I am not in a position comment on this Plan until it is published.
215. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there have been bullying or sexual harassment claims lodged within her Department in each year since 2011; if so, the number of either complaints on an annual basis, in tabular form; if these complaints have been investigated; the outcome of each investigation; and the policies in place within her department to combat bullying and sexual harassment. [2315/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dignity at Work policy is the anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service. This policy came into effect on 20th February 2015 and replaced the previous policy, ‘A Positive Working Environment’. State bodies and agencies under the aegis of this Department have similar policies in place. The Dignity at Work policy sets out the responsibilities all individuals have in ensuring a work environment free of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
This Department emphasises the use of informal resolution methods and mediation as early as possible during workplace disputes, with formal investigations taking place where these methods of resolution have been exhausted or are not appropriate.
Training on the Dignity At Work policy is provided through the Department’s HR Policies and Procedure course and the Induction and Orientation course for new entrants. The Dignity At Work policy is also available to all staff on the Department’s intranet site, Stór.
There are no figures available for complaints received prior to 2013.
Bullying or Sexual Harassment complaints received in each year since 2013:
|
Year |
Number of complaints received |
Complaints investigated |
|
2013 |
10 |
2 |
|
2014 |
9 |
4 |
|
2015 |
12 |
2 |
|
2016 |
9 |
3 |
|
2017 |
11 |
1 |
Of the 12 complaints investigated, two were upheld.
216. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ease the rules relating to the living alone and supplementary allowances to allow persons experiencing housing issues and homelessness to reside at the home of a relative without affecting the income of that relative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2359/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe living alone allowance (LAA) is an increase of €9.00 per week made to people who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State pensions, who are living alone. It is also available to people who are under 66 years of age who are living alone and are in receipt of long-term illness and disability payments. The payment of the living alone allowance is considered secondary, or non-primary, in nature which is incorporated into the person’s qualifying payment. The effect of the allowance is to increase the rate of payment to such people, recognizing that there are economies of scale associated with living with another person.
Significant costs would arise if the criteria were relaxed in the manner suggested by the Deputy, particularly as many existing domestic arrangements could fall within the definition of the living alone allowance criteria, as many adult children of older people live with them, and might become homeless if they had to leave the family home. There would also, clearly, be significant administrative challenges in determining whether such co-residents of pensioners would in fact become homeless if they could not reside in their current address.
In addition to the living alone allowance my Department makes a range of other payments, both cash and non-cash on a weekly, monthly or less frequent basis. These payments are considered secondary, or non-primary, in nature. In addition to the living alone increase a person may also be eligible for household benefits (worth €580 per year), fuel allowance (worth €607 per year) or supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme such as rent supplement. These secondary payments are in some cases are subject to a means or household composition test, which are valuable supports for recipients.
The adult child of a householder moving back into the family home might reduce such additional allowances previously held by the householder. However, the economies of scale from living together should mean that a weekly contribution by the person moving in would more than compensate for any such reduction in payments from my Department which are, as I said, to compensate for the greater costs associated with living alone.
The criteria for the Department’s supplementary schemes are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. The guidelines for supplementary schemes are kept under review. However, any decision to change the requirement for these schemes would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which efforts are being made to address long term youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2374/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment – including long-term unemployment and youth unemployment – is twofold. The Action Plan for Jobs supports continuing strong economic recovery and employment growth. Policies and actions to ensure that unemployed people benefit from the increase in employment are set out in the strategy paper Pathways to Work 2016-2020.
To date, these policies have been effective in reducing both youth and long-term unemployment.
For example, the most recent data shows that Irish youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of 31.2% in 2012 to 14.8% in September 2017. Irish youth unemployment has thus fallen from well above the EU average in 2012 (23%) to well below the current EU figure of 19.1%.
Latest available data shows that the long-term unemployment rate has fallen from a peak of 9.5% in 2012 to 3.1% in Q2 2017. The long-term unemployment rate for young people has fallen from over 15% at peak to below 5% in mid-2017.
Both the youth and long-term figures can be expected to fall further this year in line with the continuing forecast fall in overall unemployment. Additionally, Ireland is on course to bring youth unemployment below 12% and long-term unemployment below 2.5% in accordance with Pathways to Work targets for 2020.
Policy continues to focus on support for the long-term unemployed and young unemployed. For example, the Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy prioritises long-term unemployed people – most notably through the roll-out of JobPath to engage more systematically with this group; through targeted wage subsidies under JobsPlus; and through reserved places for long-term unemployed jobseekers on employment and training programmes.
Under the Youth Guarantee process there is monthly engagement by case officers with unemployed young people to assist them to prepare and implement personal progression plans for employment. Where young people do not find work quickly, additional supports are offered through places on employment and training schemes.
Later this year I will be introducing a new work experience programme targeted specifically at young jobseekers 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 new Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) will provide them with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. Host Organisations will be encouraged to hire participants who have performed well and will qualify for a financial subsidy under JobsPlus Youth . YESS will compliment other initiatives such as the expanded range of Apprenticeships and Career Traineeships.
These current and planned measures, together with the continuing strong performance of the economy, will support further reductions in long term unemployment and youth unemployment.
