Written Answers Nos. 1458-1475
1458. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the fuel allowance payment for an additional three weeks in view of recent poor and cold weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16299/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week from October to April, to over 338,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
In Budget 2018 the duration of the Fuel Allowance season was extended by one week to 27 weeks, i.e., over half the year. This is clearly longer than the winter period in Ireland, and provides assistance during what are largely colder weeks, when heating costs are expected to be at their highest. Therefore, the 2017/18 Fuel Allowance season ran to the first week in April.
Given the severity of the weather at the start of March, I paid all people in receipt of the Fuel Allowance an extra payment of €22.50 at that time. The additional payment was paid automatically during the week commencing 12th March and brought the Fuel Allowance payment to €45 that week.
I have no plans to extend the fuel season at this time. Any decision to do so would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet essential, once-off costs which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources and this may include exceptional heating costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1459. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce measures that will allow for Tús participants working with community groups extend their placements in circumstances in which the community organisation is keen to retain their services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16329/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department provides a range of activation supports catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These supports include employment schemes such as Tús. Tús provides part-time temporary work in local communities, as a stepping stone back to employment. The objective of the scheme is to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities in returning to the labour market.
All participants and community groups are aware of the time limits for participation on these schemes. The twelve month duration of the Tús contract is set to reflect a number of inter-related elements. These include the need to ensure the benefit of participation on a work scheme is available to the widest possible number of jobseekers and that weaknesses identified in other work programmes with longer duration placements are not replicated in Tús. Accordingly, there are currently no plans to extend the Tús scheme to longer than 12 months duration.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1460. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position on the means test for jobseeker's allowance for adult children living at home with their parents; if the income of the parents is a factor in the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16355/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial welfare legislation provides that where a person under 25 years of age claims jobseeker’s allowance or supplementary welfare allowance and is living with a parent or step-parent in the family home, an assessment is made of the yearly value of any benefit and privilege enjoyed by that person by virtue of residing there.
The value of the benefit and privilege assessed is based on the level of the parents' assessable income. Assessable parental income is calculated as gross income less tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge, superannuation and union dues. Rent or mortgage repayments are then disregarded, where appropriate, and, finally, a parental allowance of €600 per week per couple plus €30 per week in respect of each additional dependent child is also disregarded. The balance is assessed at 34% and this constitutes the weekly value of benefit and privilege to the claimant. This weekly value is deducted from the maximum personal rate applicable to determine the level of weekly entitlement. Where the level of entitlement as calculated is at least €1 per week and less than €40 per week, a minimum rate of €40 per week is payable.
There are some exceptions to this rule. No assessment is made where a son or daughter and his or her spouse/civil partner/partner is living with his/her parents. No assessment is made where a son or daughter has a child dependant and is living with his/her parents. In addition, where a person returns to the parental home having had an independent life elsewhere in Ireland or abroad for an appreciable length of time e.g. at least three years, the assessment in this case is €7 per week.
It should be noted that once a person reaches 25 years of age, the value of any benefit and privilege is no longer regarded as means.
1461. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consequences for a jobseeker who does not want to sign a contract with a private company for a JobPath scheme or similar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16356/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraParticipants with any of the Department’s contracted activation services such as JobPath or the Local Employment Service (LES) are not required to sign a contract with the companies but they are, in the same manner as customers referred to the Department’s own Intreo activation service requested to agree and sign a personal progression plan (PPP).
A PPP contains a schedule of activities; actions and job focused targets, taking into account a person’s specific qualifications and employment preferences. The person will be requested to sign the PPP as an indication of their agreement to the activation measures contained in the document. Should a customer fail to agree a PPP it may be one of a number of factors that would be considered by a Deciding Officer of my Department when considering a penalty rate of payment for non-engagement with activation services.
The process for sanctioning clients who do not engage with the JobPath activation process is the same as the process for clients who fail to engage with the Department’s other activation services provided by Intreo Centres, Local Employment Services and Job Clubs.
It is important to state that all decisions regarding a person’s welfare entitlements are taken only by Department officials and not by the external contractors.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1462. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she plans to review the operation of the Low Pay Commission; if she will publish the terms of reference for such a review three years after the establishment of the commission; her plans to reappoint the current members of the commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16395/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July this year the Low Pay Commission will complete its first three years in existence. The National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act 2015, which established the Commission, provides that the Commission shall, once every three years, report generally on the operation of the Act and, in particular, on the impact of minimum wage recommendations on low pay, income distribution and employment costs.
I expect that I will receive this report from the Commission in the second half of the year, and will consider it carefully. In accordance with the legislation it will be laid it before the Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of receipt.
With regard to the membership of the Low Pay Commission the legislation provides that the term of office for members of the Commission is three years from date of appointment. The legislation permits membership of the Commission for two consecutive terms. I anticipate that any vacancies to be filled will be advertised through the Public Appointments Service.
1463. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension claim by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16396/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for this lady on 08 September 2017. She was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 07 November 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal.
She requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence on 08 December 2017 in support of his request. Following a review of all the information available it was decided that there was no change to the original decision. She was notified on 05 February 2018 of the outcome of the review and of her right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.
The lady in question lodged an appeal of the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 13 February 2018 and submitted additional medical evidence in support of her appeal. Following a review of all the information available it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision and a submission has been prepared by the department and forwarded to the SWAO for determination. The SWAO will be in touch with her directly in relation to the progress of her appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1464. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce changes to the wage subsidy scheme for persons with brain injuries in view of the fact that the requirement of working 21 hours as a minimum is often too difficult for many persons with this type of injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16409/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) was established to provide an incentive for private sector employers to create new opportunities for people with disabilities to access the open labour market. For employers to participate in the WSS, an employee must work a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 hours per week. The objective to incentivise the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market provided the basis for the establishment of the WSS within FÁS and for its subsequent transfer with similar conditions to the DEASP when the services merged in 2012.
A proposal to reduce the hours worked condition for the WSS may not be consistent with the aim of supporting open market employment and consequently there are no plans to change the hours worked condition at this time.
There are other supports available to persons with a disability such as the Partial Capacity Benefit or the income disregards and taper as part of the Disability Allowance payment. Further details are available through the Intreo service.
More generally, the DEASP is consulting with disability groups in relation to the recommendations of the Make Work Pay report and in particular how to get better employment outcomes for persons with disability. The Department will report back on the results of that consultation to Government later this year. The Government will consider what additional measures might be undertaken to improve employment outcomes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1465. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of clerical officers and clerical assistants in her Department on temporary contracts by years of service; if these officers will be offered permanent positions in the Civil Service when they have served for a fixed period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16429/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTemporary clerical staff are recruited to cover absences of permanent staff on maternity leave, long term sick leave, 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, and to assist in the roll-out of the Public Services Card project.
Temporary contracts are offered for a fixed term or a fixed purpose. In the case of a fixed purpose contract the term can vary according to the purpose of the contract. All temporary contracts are kept under review and are terminated when the purpose for the contract has ceased.
In 2012, my Department commenced the appointment of temporary clerical officers (TCOs) to support the roll out of the Public Services Card project. These TCOs were assigned from panels established by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and issued with contracts for the specified temporary purpose of supporting the roll out of the project.
Notwithstanding the Fixed Term Work Act 2004, contracts for TCOs who were recruited for the Public Services Card project are now reviewed once the officer has attained 4 years’ service and consideration is given to the approval of a contract of indefinite duration following a manager’s satisfactory assessment. Reviews of temporary contracts for TCOs for the PSC that commenced in 2012 and 2013 are currently underway.
There are currently 275 TCOs employed in my Department as follows:
|
Contract commencement year |
Number of TCOs |
Public Service Card TCOs |
Staff Members absence/project TCOs |
|
2012 |
15 |
15 |
Nil |
|
2013 |
9 |
9 |
Nil |
|
2014 |
24 |
24 |
Nil |
|
2015 |
18 |
15 |
3 |
|
2016 |
30 |
25 |
5 |
|
2017 |
106 |
50 |
56 |
|
2018 |
73 |
12 |
61 |
1466. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the allowance for adults in direct provision from €21.60 per week to €22, €23, €24 and €25, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16473/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1467. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the allowance for children in direct provision from €21.60 to €22, €23, €24 and €25, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is proposed to take Questions Nos. 1466 and 1467 together.
The direct provision allowance is a non-statutory payment administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to persons in the direct provision system. The Government has provided over €5.6 million for the allowance in 2018.
There are approximately 3,700 adults and 1,600 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom the direct provision allowance is being paid. The full-year costs, based on the current numbers, of increasing the weekly adult rate and the weekly child rate from €21.60 to €22, €23, €24 and €25 is provided in the tabular statement.
Any increases to the rate of direct provision allowance would have to be approved by Government and considered in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Adult Rate Direct Provision Allowance and full-year cost of rate increase.
|
Adult Rate |
Additional full year cost to increase adult rate from €21.60 to amount (based on 3,700 adult recipients) |
|
Increase to €22 |
€76,960 |
|
Increase to €23 |
€269,360 |
|
Increase to €24 |
€461,760 |
|
Increase to €25 |
€654,160 |
Child Rate Direct Provision Allowance and full-year cost of rate increase.
|
Child Rate |
Additional full-year cost to increase child rate from €21.60 to amount (based on 1,600 child recipients) |
|
Increase to €22 |
€33,280 |
|
Increase to €23 |
€116,480 |
|
Increase to €24 |
€199,680 |
|
Increase to €25 |
€282,880 |
1468. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing payments (details supplied) by €5, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16475/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1470. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full year-cost of increasing the rate of maternity benefit by €5, €10, €15 and €20, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16477/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1471. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing paternity benefit by €5, €10, €15 and €20, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16478/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1472. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the qualified child payment by €2, €3, €4 and €5, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16479/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1468 and 1470 to 1472, inclusive, together.
The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following series of tables.
Table 1: Full year cost of increasing various payments by €5 per week
|
Scheme |
€5 increase €m |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
16.0 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
0.7 |
|
Disability Allowance |
37.5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
14.4 |
|
Blind Pension |
0.3 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
17.2 |
It should be noted that the cost for Carer’s Allowance includes an increase for those aged under and over 66 years of age as well as a proportionate increase for those in receipt of a half rate payment.
Table 2: Full year cost of increasing Maternity Benefit by varying amounts
|
€5 increase |
€10 increase |
€15 increase |
€20 increase |
|
|
Schemes |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Maternity Benefit |
5.2 |
10.3 |
15.5 |
20.6 |
Table 3: Full year cost of increasing Paternity Benefit by varying amounts
|
€5 increase |
€10 increase |
€15 increase |
€20 increase |
|
|
Schemes |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Paternity Benefit |
0.3 |
0.5 |
0.8 |
1.0 |
Table 4: Full year cost of increasing the Increase for a Qualified Child by varying amounts
|
€2 increase |
€3 increase |
€4 increase |
€5 increase |
|
|
Schemes |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Increase for a Qualified Child |
37.0 |
55.4 |
73.9 |
92.4 |
All of the costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2018. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019. It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
1469. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing rent supplement limits by 10% on average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16476/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 31,720 recipients for which the Government has provided €180 million for in 2018.
Taking into account the contribution of the customer to their housing costs under the scheme, increasing rent limits by 10% would result in a full year cost of approximately €24 million for rent supplement.
In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, my Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1473. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing expenditure on the school meals programme by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16480/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding towards school meals is being provided in over 1,580 schools and other organisations, supporting over 248,000 children at a cost of some €54 million in 2018, representing an increase of €6.5 million over the previous year. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Based on the 2018 budgetary allocation of €54 million, the estimated cost of increasing expenditure on the school meals programme by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% is provided in the tabular statement. Changes to increase the funding of any scheme administered by my Department would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
Tabular Statement: Additional annual costs of expanding the school meals programme
|
Increase in expenditure |
Additional annual cost |
|
5% |
€2.7m |
|
10% |
€5.4m |
|
15% |
€8.1m |
|
20% |
€10.8m |
1474. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure on the Living Wage Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16481/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department assumed responsibility for Employment Affairs on 2nd of September 2017, including the Low Pay Commission. This was previously the responsibility of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
The total expenditure for the Low Pay Commission for 2017 was €297,459.
1475. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of defined contribution schemes; the net asset value of these schemes; the average return on these schemes; the number of defined benefit schemes here; the net asset value of these schemes; the average return on these schemes; the number of PRSAs here; the average annual return on these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16593/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of schemes and net asset values are set out in tabular form below. Neither the Pensions Authority nor my Department collates data on the average return on schemes.
|
- |
No. of schemes |
Net asset value |
|
Defined Contribution Schemes |
70,700 |
€35bn. |
|
Defined Benefit Schemes |
640 |
€60.8 bn. |
|
PRSAs (number of contracts) |
264,664 |
€6.3bn. |
Scheme data are based on the scheme registration data submitted to the Pensions Authority by regulated entities.
The number of DB and DC schemes and PRSAs is as 31 December 2017.
The asset value for DC scheme assets is an estimation based on the Annual Scheme Information returns submitted to the Pensions Authority by regulated entities.
The asset value for DB schemes is based on the Annual Actuarial Data Returns (AADRs) which have been submitted to the Pensions Authority by 31 March 2017. The effective date of each AADR is the end date of the relevant scheme year. As different schemes have different scheme year end dates, this means there is no single return date for the data. The effective dates are spread over the 2015 and 2016 calendar years. The average return date was February 2016. For simplicity, the data in this report is referred to as the 2016 data. No adjustments have been made to the data to allow for the different reporting dates, e.g., total assets reported have not been adjusted to estimate what might have been the asset value at a particular date. A report on DB schemes 2016 statistics was published on 8 August 2017 on the Pension Authority’s website.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
