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Thursday, 22 Mar 2018

Written Answers Nos 284-294

Community Employment Schemes Data

Ceisteanna (284)

John Curran

Ceist:

284. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received concerns from local development companies or other relevant organisations regarding a drop in referrals to Tús, community employment and local employment services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13260/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These include activation supports such as Community Employment (CE), Tús and Local Employment Services (LES).

The Deputy will appreciate that the welcome reduction in the unemployment rate is a factor in recruitment to all programmes. There has been a 48% fall in the numbers on the Live Register who are more than 1 year unemployed in the five years since the end December 2012. Long-term unemployment is expected to fall further this year in line with the continuing forecasted fall in overall unemployment.

Schemes such as CE and Tús provide part-time temporary work in local communities, as a stepping-stone back to employment. However, it is important to note that these placements are not full-time sustainable jobs. Instead, they are designed to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities of returning to the labour market or getting a job for the first time.

Following the publication of my Department’s Report, An Analysis of the Community Employment Programme, in April 2017 the Government approved a number of changes to the terms and conditions around participation on CE. These changes were implemented from 3 July 2017. The main purpose of these changes was to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people who can take part - including reducing the entry age to 21 - giving a second opportunity to people who have already taken part, and securing the number of places at existing levels. Overall, these changes improve the way that CE operates and should allow access to more people who are long-term unemployed. If any scheme is experiencing particular recruitment difficulties, they should contact their local Intreo Centre for assistance.

Tús, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, was set up to provide short-term, work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. This initiative is being delivered through the network of 47 local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Recent changes have also been implemented to the selection criteria for Tús which should broaden the numbers available for this scheme. This includes an increase in the percentage of assisted referrals from 20% to 30%, as well as permitting someone who has had a break of up to 30 days on the Live Register in the past 12 months to be considered eligible for Tús selection.

In 2018, the Department has contracted for the provision of LES in 26 locations with 22 contractors through a network of offices and outreach clinics. The funding and total value of these contracts for the provision of the services has been continually maintained over the years, both through periods of economic downturn and in more recent years where again we have seen a welcome reduction in the unemployment rate. The increased capacity provided through Intreo and JobPath and the reduction of the live register means the LES can now focus on offering an enhanced service to jobseekers. The number of new registrations with the LES rose from 16,704 in 2016 to 20,545 in 2017.

I will continue to keep this whole area under review so that these schemes provide real and valuable support to both individuals and communities.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Ceisteanna (285)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

285. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if community employment schemes can be extended beyond the three-year cap for persons that are not in a position to obtain gainful employment elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13270/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. The programme helps break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market. A number of new conditions were introduced on CE in July 2017 to further support progression and broaden access to CE to a wider range of people.

In general all CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years will be for 1 year – however CE participants, working towards a major award, can seek to extend participation by up to two years to enable then to reach the required standard of qualification. In addition, those over 55 years of age can remain on CE for three years.

An overall lifetime limit of 6 years will apply to all CE participants (changed from 3 years for those under 55 years). A person may re-qualify for CE after 12 months of being in receipt of a qualifying payment, provided they have not reached their 6 year limit. Persons in receipt of a qualifying disability-linked social welfare payment will be eligible for an overall lifetime limit of 7 years.

I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Rural Social Scheme Expenditure

Ceisteanna (286)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

286. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if cuts to administrative costs have been imposed on rural social schemes; the rationale behind these cuts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13284/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Deputies on all sides of the House are fully aware of the positive benefits derived from work schemes like the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). 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 announced an additional 250 places to be rolled out this year together with an increase in the weekly rate of payment for participants from week beginning 26 March 2018. Taking into account the 500 additional places already allocated as part of the social welfare budget 2017, this brings the total number of RSS places to 3,350, nearly 30% of an increase in the last two years.

In the context of administrative costs for 2018, it should be noted that all 35 Implementing Bodies (IBs) will receive increased funding in 2018, compared to 2017, due to the provision of increased RSS places. My Department endeavours to monitor its budgets and relative spending closely and effectively to ensure that funding provided is realistic and fair for all concerned. This also applies to administrative costs borne by the Department. A budget of €51.04m is provided for RSS in 2018. The provisional outturn in 2017 on RSS was €44.4m.

I would like to reiterate that the Government strongly supports the work being done through the RSS and the vital role such schemes are playing in local communities, including supporting social services, across the entire country.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Unemployment Benefits Data

Ceisteanna (287)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

287. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age that are in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance, jobseeker’s benefit and signing for credits for 12 months or more, by county in tabular form. [13451/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table:

Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit or signing for Jobseeker’s Credits aged under 26 for 12 months or more at the end of February 2018 by county

County

Jobseeker’s Credits Only

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Benefit

Carlow

1

156

0

Cavan

201

1

Clare

1

203

0

Cork

1

624

0

Donegal

549

6

Dublin

6

1936

2

Galway

429

2

Kerry

3

270

3

Kilkenny

304

1

Kildare

140

0

Laois

1

235

1

Leitrim

1

67

0

Limerick

1

442

2

Longford

1

153

1

Louth

372

0

Mayo

292

1

Meath

235

0

Monaghan

82

1

Offaly

234

0

Roscommon

1

108

0

Sligo

1

109

2

Tipperary

6

411

0

Waterford

1

285

1

Westmeath

1

297

1

Wexford

506

3

Wicklow

3

218

0

Youth Guarantee

Ceisteanna (288)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

288. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the implementation of the youth guarantee in 2016 and 2017; the number of beneficiaries in all schemes or programmes in each year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13452/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Government policy to reduce unemployment is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs; and second, through the Pathways to Work Strategy 2016-2020, to ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register, including young people.

To date, these policies have been effective in increasing youth employment and reducing youth unemployment.

The number of young people in jobs rose from 197,000 on average in 2012 to 235,000 in 2017.

Irish youth unemployment has fallen from a peak of 31.2% in 2012 to 12.6% in February 2018 and now lies significantly below the EU average (16.1%). Ireland is on course to bring youth unemployment below 12% in accordance with Pathways to Work targets for 2020.

The long-term unemployment rate for young people has fallen from over 15% at peak to below 3% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

These trends indicate that together with improvements in the labour market and economic recovery, our approach to youth employment, which focuses in the first instance on enhancing processes and policies for assisting young unemployed people to find and secure sustainable jobs, has been relatively successful.

Many of the elements of a Youth Guarantee were already in place in Ireland prior to the EU Recommendation, so the implementation of the Irish Youth Guarantee focuses on enhancing processes and policies for assisting young unemployed people to secure sustainable jobs. Under the Youth Guarantee process case officers engage with unemployed young people, on a monthly basis, 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, which are closely aligned to the needs of the labour market.

For those who do not find employment, through the process just described, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers (over 70%) are in existing further education or training programmes. Others are in existing community-based employment programmes/workplace based interventions such as CE, Gateway and Tús and First Steps; or in subsidies to employers, through JobsPlus Youth. Long-term unemployed jobseekers under-25 are also referred to JobPath, a contracted, payment-by-results employment services that provides additional resources and supports to the long-term unemployed.

The table displays the number of new participants (aged 18-24) in programmes identified in the Youth Guarantee Implementation plan, for the period 2014-2016. Figures for 2017 are not yet finalised.

Programme

Number of new participants

2014

2015

2016

Youthreach/ Community Training Centres

3,553

3,266

3,216

FET for unemployed people

Momentum

732

1,056

122

BTEA (excl. Momentum)

3,545

2,416

2,158

VTOS

957

827

843

SOLAS (Former FÁS) training for unemployed

8,659

7,152

5,875

13,893

11,451

8,998

Work Experience

JobBridge

3,144

2,294

928*

International Work Experience and Training

0

8

9

3,144

2,302

937

Temporary employment

Tús

1,410

1,388

1,280

Gateway

195

142

6

Community Employment

612

726

855

2,217

2,256

2,141

Subsidised private-sector employment

BTWEA (self-employment)

188

134

123

JobsPlus, including JobsPlus Youth (employee jobs)

608

710

732

796

844

855

23,603

20,119

16,147

*JobBridge scheme ceased in mid-2016.

In addition to this range of opportunities, later this year I will introduce a new work experience programme targeted specifically at young jobseekers who are long-term unemployed or who face significant barriers to gaining employment. The new Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) will provide young jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. Operational details are currently being finalised and I hope to launch the scheme in Quarter 2, 2018.

I am confident that the measures taken under the Youth Guarantee, together with the continuing economic recovery, will support further reductions in youth unemployment.

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (289)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

289. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if actions and measures will be included in the proposed new integrated action plan for social inclusion to address poverty among young persons that are 15 to 24 years of age (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13453/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

DEASP has started the process of developing a new Action Plan for social inclusion to tackle inequality and poverty over the period 2018-2021. Inspired by the aims and aspirations of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the plan will aim to build an inclusive Ireland where no-one is left behind and support is provided to those most in need. The primary focus of the plan will be the reduction of the percentage of the population in consistent poverty, i.e. both on relatively low incomes and experiencing material deprivation.

It will be a ‘whole of Government’ plan incorporating poverty reduction/social inclusion actions from the range of Department and cross-Departmental strategies already in place and any new policies under development. As such, it will include actions from the Departments of Children and Youth Affairs; Education and Skills; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; my own Department and any other Department whose work impacts on the lives of young persons aged 15-24 years, as well as actions that will benefit other societal groups that are in consistent poverty.

Universal Retirement Savings Group

Ceisteanna (290)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

290. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the work undertaken by the universal retirement savings group since its establishment in February 2015; the number of meetings held; the reports published; the persons or organisations which the group has met with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13454/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2015, the last Government established a Universal Retirement Savings Group (URSG) to consider the constituent factors involved in constructing an efficient and effective universal supplementary retirement savings system. The work of the URSG concentrated on whether the optimal model would be one which would be mandatory for all workers currently without supplementary retirement savings or one which would automatically enrol those without supplementary retirement savings, whilst allowing individuals to opt out should they so choose.

The URSG comprised of Assistant Secretary level representatives from a range of Departments/Agencies and included experts from the UK Department for Work and Pensions and the OECD. The URSG met as a full group on 6 occasions during 2015. The Group did not publish a report but rather presented conclusions to an Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Pensions in January 2016.

In undertaking its work, to facilitate input from and engagement with sectoral interests, the URSG consulted with consumers and advocate groups, the pensions industry and with employers and employee representatives. This included an ‘Invitation for Submissions’ which was issued to approximately 35 industry/employer/trade union/consumer and advocate groups. Representatives of the URSG subsequently met with many of the sectoral interests to discuss the submissions received and allow further articulation of views. Officials also engaged with a range of overseas experts and officials with an experience in delivery of similar pension reforms internationally.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government recently launched its ‘Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023’. Strand 2 of the Roadmap relates to 'Building Retirement Readiness’ and confirms the Government’s intention to develop, and begin the implementation of, a State sponsored supplementary retirement savings system. This system will see workers automatically enrolled into a quality assured savings vehicle. They will make personal contributions from earnings and also receive financial support from employers and the State, whilst they will retain the right to opt-out should they so choose. Plans for ‘automatic enrolment’ have been informed by the work undertaken by the URSG and the Roadmap details the steps that will now be taken to provide that workers can be enrolled into this new system by 2022. Government decisions relating to the organisational structure and detailed design of the system will be made after a national consultation process on automatic enrolment which will begin in quarter 2 of this year.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Youth Unemployment Measures

Ceisteanna (291)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

291. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the person or organisations which her Department has met or consulted with regarding the introduction of the youth employment support scheme since its announcement in budget 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13455/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The new Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was announced as part of Budget 2018, and it will be open for applications from June.

YESS is targeted at young people aged 18 to 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. It aims to provide them with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement.

Prior to the Budget announcement of YESS, officials from my Department met with various stakeholder groups in late 2016 and early 2017 to discuss the draft design principles for the new scheme and to reflect on any issues raised by these groups. The stakeholders involved in this discussion process included Trade Union representatives, as well as Jobseeker and Employer representative groups.

Following the announcement of YESS as part of Budget 2018, my officials have held a number of follow-up meetings with Jobseeker representative groups, including the INOU and Focus Ireland. They have also met with officials from other Government Departments and Solas.

I trust that this clarified the matter for the Deputy.

Low Pay Commission Report

Ceisteanna (292)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

292. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she plans to publish the report of the Low Pay Commission on the sub-minimum rates of the minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13457/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The laws governing the national minimum wage are set down in the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 and the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act 2015. The Acts provide for the setting of a national minimum wage (NMW), which is the minimum hourly rate that may be paid to an employee. They also provide that, in specified circumstances, such as younger workers and trainees, a reduced, sub-minimum rate may be applied. The legislation sets out the percentages to be applied in the case of sub-minima rates.

In December 2017 I received the final report from the Low Pay Commission on the sub-minima rates of the National Minimum Wage (Report on the Sub-Minima Rates of the National Minimum Wage Part 2). In line with legislative requirements, the report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in February 2018. The full report is available on the Low Pay Commission’s website: www.lowpaycommission.ie.

In this report, the Low Pay Commission recommends simplifying the age and experience based sub-minima rates, and abolishing the training sub-minima rates. As I stated in the Dáil on 14 February 2018 at Second Stage of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, I am pleased that the Government agreed my proposal to accept the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations. In this regard, I propose to bring forward on Committee Stage of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill an amendment to the Minimum Wage Act 2000.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Ceisteanna (293)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

293. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the recourse available to a person that is adversely affected by significant anti-social behaviour emanating from a property in respect of which her Department is paying rent supplement or housing assistance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13487/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In the case of private rented accommodation, tenancy arrangements involve a contract between the landlord and the tenant. This Department is not party to this contractual arrangement.

Tenants’ obligations and landlords’ duties in relation to anti-social behaviour are provided for in the legislative framework under the Residential Tenancies Acts. Under this legislation, tenants are obliged not to behave within, or in the vicinity of, their dwelling, in a manner which is anti-social. My colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, has policy responsibility in this area and also in relation to the HAP scheme.

I would suggest to the Deputy that he seeks clarification from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government around the recourse available to persons affected by anti-social behaviour.

Housing Assistance Payment Eligibility

Ceisteanna (294)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

294. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if homeless housing assistance payments are available for those with refugee status and that have been approved for family reunification by his Department; the supports available to assist such persons to acquire permanent accommodation under HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13427/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under Rebuilding Ireland, an operational sub-group under the auspices of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) Taskforce, comprising relevant Departments of State and other bodies such as representatives of local authorities and the Irish Red Cross, was established to support the process of housing programme refugees. This sub-group is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality.

Persons granted international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) can access State provided supports and services on the same basis as Irish nationals.

Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for housing support through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. Once a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority. This includes determining whether it is appropriate to refer a household for Homeless HAP Place Finder services.

The Homeless HAP Place Finder Service operating in the Dublin local authorities, and in Cork City Council, is a targeted support for homeless households who are finding it difficult to secure HAP tenancies. The Place Finder Service has been successfully utilised by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) across the Dublin local authorities since February 2015, with more than 2,000 households currently being supported by the Homeless HAP scheme. A similar service began operating in Cork City in 2017.

In order to further assist homeless households in exiting emergency accommodation, since January 2018, the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service has been made available in each of the 31 local authority areas. All local authorities are now being provided with the options to pay deposits and advance rental payments for any households in emergency homeless accommodation, in order to secure accommodation via the HAP scheme.

To qualify for these specific additional supports available to homeless households, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988. The operation of local homeless services, including the Place Finder Service, is a matter for each local authority.

In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, the Irish Red Cross (IRC) has been mandated by the Department of Justice and Equality to assist with the delivery and provision of accommodation and integration supports under the IRPP. In Autumn 2015, the Irish Red Cross was tasked by Government with managing voluntary pledges of accommodation, goods and services from the Irish public. This includes the IRC deploying migration volunteer coordinators across the country in county hubs including through IRC branches and volunteer members. The IRC is working together with each of the local authorities to coordinate the local responses.

There are a number of ways in which a programme refugee might have their housing need met under HAP: in private rental accommodation with HAP support from Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres, with assistance of IRC or other non-governmental agencies; in private rental accommodation with HAP support from Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres, by sourcing their own accommodation; or in a pledged property using HAP support, under the normal conditions of the HAP scheme.

In summary, arrangements are in place at local authority level across the country to support the identification of units and housing for programme refugees, including through HAP. In addition to the availability of Homeless HAP in situations where the local authority determines the household as homeless, the additional co-ordination measures outlined above are intended to support and assist families into suitable accommodation for their needs.

Such housing solutions are being funded from the €6 billion approved by Government under Rebuilding Ireland over the period 2016-2021. It should be noted that a range of other supports are also being made available at local level to support the integration of the families concerned into their new communities.

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