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Tuesday, 20 Mar 2018

Written Answers Nos. 962-981

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (962)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

962. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in respect of a domiciliary care allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12485/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from this lady on 12 October 2017. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on 11 January 2018 outlining the decision of the deciding officer.

A request for a review of this decision was received on 24 January 2018. The application will be re-examined by a deciding officer and a revised decision will be made if warranted. The lady concerned will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as it is completed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (963)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

963. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have been hired by her Department from the Public Appointments Service panels in counties Sligo and Leitrim in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12488/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Temporary Staff

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018 (to date)

SLIGO

100

82

150

159

142

14

LEITRIM

20

24

29

27

24

2

Permanent staff

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018 (to date)

SLIGO

0

0

3

5

34

0

LEITRIM

0

0

1

6

9

1

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (964, 965)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

964. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of vacant, full and part-time positions in her Department that have been filled by persons on temporary contracts in counties Sligo and Leitrim in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12489/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

965. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in her Department who are on temporary contracts that have been renewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12490/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 964 and 965 together.

Temporary clerical officers (TCOs) are recruited to cover absences of permanent staff on maternity leave, long term sick leave, and other statutory leave and also to provide cover for some staff availing of the shorter working year scheme They are also recruited to alleviate work pressure in certain areas, special projects and to assist in the roll-out of the Public Services Card project.

The number of TCOs assigned in Sligo and Leitrim in each of the years 2013 to 2018 is as follows:

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018 (to date)

SLIGO

100

82

150

159

142

14

LEITRIM

20

24

29

27

24

2

In managing temporary contracts the Department does not renew existing contracts. Instead temporary contracts are generally issued for a specified purpose. All temporary contracts are then kept under review and are terminated when the purpose for the contract has ceased or the term is concluded.

In keeping with the relevant agreements, where vacant positions exist they are filled on a permanent basis, although in exceptional circumstances temporary staff are assigned pending the assignment of a permanent staff member. In 2016 there were two TCOs assigned for this purpose to the Department’s offices in Carrick-on- Shannon. Both of these contracts were terminated when the vacancies were filled by the assignment of permanent officers. There were no TCOs assigned to cover permanent vacancies during the period 2013 to date in the Department’s offices in Sligo.

Questions Nos. 966 and 967 answered with Question No. 947.

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Ceisteanna (968)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

968. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of a pension entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied) will be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12527/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following review of their pension entitlement, it has been established that the person concerned is eligible for a reduced state pension (contributory) based on their combined Irish full-rate and modified contributions and EU contributions, with effect from their 66th birthday. They have also been awarded a reduced state pension (transition) from their 65th birthday until they reached age 66. The person concerned has been notified in writing of this decision on 15 March 2018. Arrears of pension have also issued to the person concerned.

The person’s entitlement to a standard state pension (contributory) and to a mixed insurance pro-rata state pension (contributory) was investigated but they do not satisfy the required number of full-rate paid contributions in either case. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 129 reckonable paid contributions. A minimum of 520 contributions is required for standard state pension (contributory) entitlement and a minimum of 260 contributions is required for mixed insurance pro-rata pension entitlement.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government recently announced proposals for pensioners who qualified for state pension (contributory) since September 2012, and whose rate of entitlement was impacted by the 2012 rate band changes. These proposals will not impact the person concerned as they do not have the required minimum number of full-rate contributions paid.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

JobPath Programme

Ceisteanna (969)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

969. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the contract to run the JobPath programme by Seetec will cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12566/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is a service that supports people who are long-term unemployed to secure and sustain full time paid employment in the open labour market. Seetec is one of the two companies (Turas Nua being the other), contracted by my Department to deliver the service.

The contracts comprise two consecutive phases: phase one entails four years of client referrals while phase two entails a ‘run off’ period of two years. Therefore Client referrals will cease in 2019 and this will be followed by a “run-off” period during which time no new referrals to the service will be made (during the run off period Jobseekers already engaged with the service will continue to receive support). The contracts will therefore terminate in 2021.

In addition, as part of the contracts the Department has reserved the right, at its sole discretion, to extend phase one for further periods, of up to a maximum of 24 months.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Child Benefit Data

Ceisteanna (970)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

970. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of qualified child increases by scheme type for those aged 18 to 22 years in full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12572/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department, as the reason for continued entitlement to these increases for children above the normal cut off may not be captured explicitly in the Department’s systems.

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Ceisteanna (971)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

971. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of one-parent family payment and the related number of children who are also in receipt of family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12573/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

At the end of February there were 39,432 people in receipt of a One-Parent Family Payment from my Department. Of these, 5,151 were also in receipt of a Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement), benefitting some 9,069 children.

Public Services Card Data

Ceisteanna (972)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

972. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 544 of 8 March 2018, the way in which and with whom a person might authenticate his or her identity in another face-to-face engagement; and the way in which the existing photographs utilised to complete the SAFE 2 process are acquired. [12578/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In my response to Question No. 544 of 8 March 2018, I referred to cases, where a customer authenticates their identity in another face-to-face engagement, the Department may collect elements of the PSI data by post and, with the consent of the customer, will utilise existing photographs to complete the SAFE 2 process.

The other face-to-face engagements include:

- Customers presenting at an NDLS office for a driving licence, where the photo is captured; and

- DEASP customers with passports who collect their payments on a weekly basis in the post office.

These options are by invitation only, where the data collected by the other agency exactly matches the data held on the DEASP system.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 973 answered with Question No. 947.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (974)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

974. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a rent supplement payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12612/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As per reply to question no. 1585 PQ Ref. 54709-17, the person concerned was requested to provide the Department with relevant documentation regarding her rent supplement claim on 6/9/17. According to the records of the Department the required documentation has not been provided to date. On receipt of outstanding documentation, entitlement will be re-assessed.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Ceisteanna (975)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

975. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an oral hearing can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12624/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (976)

John Brady

Ceist:

976. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is an alternative in place for those who would seek financial support under mortgage interest supplement but can no longer do so; if not, the supports in place to assist those in mortgage difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12625/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The most appropriate way in which customers experiencing mortgage difficulties can be supported is through on-going engagement with their lender to explore sustainable solutions. The mortgage interest supplement scheme was discontinued to new entrants from 1st January 2014, on the basis that the ongoing payment of this supplement on an indefinite basis would not address the longer term challenges for people in serious mortgage arrears.

The Deputy may be aware that the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, provides assistance to people, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments, who are over-indebted and need help and advice with debt problems. As part of its free services, MABS provides help and advice to those in mortgage arrears.

The role of MABS was expanded in 2015 with the establishment of a Dedicated Mortgage Arrears MABS service (DMA MABS) across the MABS network, to help people specifically with home mortgage arrears. There are 32 specialist DMA advisors working across 27 locations countrywide, assisting borrowers to assess the options available to them and, where required, negotiating with lenders on their behalf. To date, the DMA service has helped approximately 5,000 such borrowers.

Additionally, MABS provides a national network of court mentors who attend each listed repossession Court hearing countrywide. The mentors provide support to distressed borrowers who are facing the loss of their home and signpost them to the appropriate services. To date, over 1,400 borrowers have been referred onward to MABS advisors through the court mentor service.

In 2016, a further initiative was announced by Government, known as Abhaile. This scheme further extends the free services already available to borrowers through the DMA MABS service and the court mentor service. The new voucher based scheme, for which MABS is the gateway, provides access for people, who are insolvent and in home mortgage arrears, to access independent expert financial and/or legal advice and assistance, free of charge. To date, approximately 11,200 vouchers for services have been issued, in respect of some 7,000 principle private residences.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Unemployment Levels

Ceisteanna (977)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

977. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures she has taken to address the above average unemployment levels that persist in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12632/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The first publication of the Labour Force Survey which replaces the Quarterly National Household Survey (QHNS) was released on 16, January 2018 and is the official measure of unemployment. The most recent data shows that the national unemployment rate fell from a peak of 15% in 2012 to 6.4% by Q.4 2017. Unemployment decreased by 23,400 (-14.0%) in the year to Q4 2017 bringing the total number of persons unemployed to 144,100, marking the twenty second quarter in succession where unemployment has declined on an annual basis. Within the Border region, which includes Cavan and Monaghan, unemployment has fallen from a peak of 17.6% in Quarter 3, 2012 to 4.9% in Quarter 4, 2017. The number of people at work in the Border region increased by 59,800, to 238,500, over the same period.

While data from the Labour Force Survey is not available at the county level, trends in the Live Register can give an indication of underlying trends in local unemployment.

Overall, the Live Register in the counties of Cavan and Monaghan region has fallen by 48% in the 5 years to February 2018, slightly exceeding the reduction of 45% nationally. In the year to February 2018, the Live Register in the Cavan/Monaghan region fell by almost 1,200 people, or almost 14%, again closely in line with national trends.

Currently, there are 4 Activation Case Officers in the Intreo services in Cavan and Monaghan supported by teams of administrative support staff. Almost 2,000 customer engagements were scheduled in the region in 2017.

The Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment since 2012 is twofold:

- Firstly, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs. This policy now includes a specific regional Action Plan for the North East/North West Region, including Cavan and Monaghan, that has seen almost 7,000 jobs created in the region in the past two years.

- Secondly, through Pathways to Work, my Department ensures that as many new jobs and vacancies as possible are filled by people taken from the Live Register. Under this policy, employment services and activation supports are heavily concentrated on the areas of highest unemployment.

To date, the policies being pursued under the Action Plan for Jobs and under Pathways to Work have been effective in reducing unemployment, both nationally and in the Cavan/Monaghan region and I am confident that they will continue to do so.

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Ceisteanna (978)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

978. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of adult dependants in receipt of a social welfare claim by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12633/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The county breakdown requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department.

However, the total number of Live Register registrants benefitting from an increased payment for a qualified adult that were in payment at the end of January is as follows:

Number of persons on the Live Register in receipt of an adult dependant allowance in January 2018

County

Recipients with Adult Dependants

Carlow

803

Cavan

852

Clare

923

Cork

3,334

Donegal

2,425

Dublin

9,093

Galway

1,997

Kerry

1,537

Kildare

1,654

Kilkenny

679

Laois

1,086

Leitrim

377

Limerick

1,498

Longford

683

Louth

1,787

Mayo

1,366

Meath

1,051

Monaghan

562

Offaly

989

Roscommon

504

Sligo

454

Tipperary

1,722

Waterford

1,292

Westmeath

1,168

Wexford

2,349

Wicklow

1,199

Total

41,384

Labour Activation Programmes Data

Ceisteanna (979)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

979. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of adult dependants on a social welfare labour activation scheme by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12634/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The number of recipients of the principal working age employment supports by county, where available, and the number of recipients of those working age employment supports who receive an increased payment in respect of a qualified adult, are presented in the following tables:

Recipients of a Working Age Employment Support payment by scheme and County, end-February 2017

Type of Payment

Rural Social Scheme

TUS - Community Work Placement

Back To Work Enterprise Allowance

Back To Education Allowance

Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme

Partial Capacity Benefit

Carlow

18

122

159

197

6

35

Cavan

89

75

228

123

17

28

Clare

136

115

327

204

8

56

Cork

182

562

706

1,044

25

323

Donegal

289

376

391

460

6

67

Dublin

1,238

2,095

2,422

68

550

Galway

336

377

446

705

23

111

Kerry

289

186

319

455

24

77

Kildare

27

176

315

330

10

107

Kilkenny

15

83

227

180

4

36

Laois

19

78

204

194

5

37

Leitrim

114

69

163

82

4

19

Limerick

86

247

282

639

17

90

Longford

58

79

166

109

7

26

Louth

13

187

369

436

14

66

Mayo

619

269

307

292

27

81

Meath

20

255

337

139

6

107

Monaghan

50

77

126

103

6

32

Offaly

46

115

200

214

7

33

Roscommon

154

95

146

74

2

48

Sligo

132

133

119

216

6

38

Tipperary

69

356

320

390

18

100

Waterford

12

279

350

390

26

68

Westmeath

41

98

223

229

15

41

Wexford

44

275

298

328

17

81

Wicklow

22

266

365

320

13

68

Others

9,188

9

Total

2,880

6,188

18,376

10,275

381

2,334

Qualified Adult Increases in payment to recipients of a Working Age Employment Support payment at end-February 2017

Type of Payment

Rural Social Scheme

TUS - Community Work Placement

Back To Work Enterprise Allowance

Back To Education Allowance

Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme

Partial Capacity Benefit

Qualified Adult Allowance

1,158

1,489

2,920

1,353

46

221

JobPath Data

Ceisteanna (980)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

980. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons on JobPath in counties Cavan and Monaghan as of 1 February 2018; the number of persons who were on JobPath for the same date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12635/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

JobPath is an employment service, designed to support people who are long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment.

In relation to the number of people who have commenced their engagement period with the service, it is important to note that jobseekers may be supported through the service for up to 30 months. Under the service jobseekers have access to a Personal Advisor (PA) who works with them over two phases. During the first phase, of 12 months duration, the PA 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 PA continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months. In addition to these two phases jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months. The duration of the client engagement period must therefore be noted when considering statistics in relation to the service.

Given the above, it is important to note that the below statistics are a snapshot at each particular point in time only. It should also be noted that these figures will include clients who are in employment and as such, are not on the live register i.e. those clients who are in the "in work support" phase of the service. As of the end of February 2018 some 1,604 clients in Cavan were engaged with the service, the total number of clients engaged on the same date in 2017 was 1,704. In Monaghan, 1,370 were engaged with the service as of the end of February 2018, the total number of clients engaged on the same date in 2017 was 1,041.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (981)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

981. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct rate of jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason for a deduction in the payable rate; when arrears following a recent successful appeal will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12641/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following an appeal decision the person concerned has been awarded a jobseekers allowance at the full personal rate of €193 plus fuel allowance of €22.50 with effect from 9/2/18.

Arrears arising from the appeal decision will be calculated having regard to changes in the circumstances of the person concerned. A decision on the amount of arrears due will be issued in the near future.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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