Written Answers Nos. 541-562
541. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a community employment placement in respect of a person (details provided) will be extended to allow them complete a training course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27583/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned completed his Community Employment Programme on 15/6/2018, having spent total of 164 weeks on the scheme. A P45 has issued to him. His start date was 4/2/2013. Requests for extensions for participants on Community Employment Schemes are only considered by this Department at the request of the Project Sponsor. Per Departmental records no such request has been received.
542. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the refusal to grant an application by a centre (detail supplied) in County Sligo in order for it to make an appeal to Pobal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27584/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 'Ability' programme is a new pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities. The 27 projects to be funded will provide supports and assistance to more than 2,600 young people with disabilities aged between15 to 29 years old. The programme will promote employment prospects and meaningful social roles for young people with disabilities and in particular, young people who are distant from the labour market, using a range of person-centred supports.
The initiative is being co-funded by the Exchequer and the EU (under the European Social Fund, as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020) which demonstrates the commitment, at both a Governmental and EU level, to supporting and assisting young people with disabilities to achieve their individual employment and other goals.
Pobal have been contracted by DEASP to manage the programme including the application and evaluation process for the proposals received. Details of the application process are available on Pobal's website (under “Useful Links”) at https://www.pobal.ie/FundingProgrammes/Ability%20Programme/Pages/Ability%20Programme.aspx.
Following an extensive information campaign (including information events held in Cavan, Dublin and Limerick) and an application process, the Ability programme attracted applications from 59 projects.
A detailed and independent assessment process was undertaken by Pobal of the applications. Neither my colleague Minister Regina Doherty T.D., or myself had any role to play in the assessment process.
Pobal awarded scores (out of 100) for all applications, with scores being assigned to each proposal based on a weighted marking system linked with the schemes evaluation criteria as follows:
- Meeting the programme/ measure priorities (40%)
- Need for the proposal (20%)
- Capacity of the organisation (20%)
- Value for money (20%)
Only projects receiving a score of 60 or above were deemed by Pobal to be of sufficiently high standard to be recommended for funding.
On this basis, Pobal recommended 27 projects as being suitable for funding; this represents some 46% of the proposals received.
These recommendations were accepted as they were made by Pobal on the basis of the above objective criteria only, which were communicated to all applicants equally.
At the time of the launch of the measure, it was expected that funding for the programme would amount to some €10 million over a three year period. However, given the number and quality of the proposals received, enhanced funding arrangements have been put in place of €16 million to support all 27 projects recommended for funding by Pobal.
It is important to note, that where an organisation would like additional feedback, Pobal facilitates this as part of their standard processes. In such circumstances, as set out in the letters issued by Pobal, organisations make contact with Pobal and arrangements are made to provide further feedback. I understand that such a request has been made by this organisation and arrangements are being made by Pobal to discuss the matter with the organisation and provide additional feedback.
Pobal has also put in place an appeals procedure for applicants who feel that decisions taken and procedures followed by Pobal in relation to its administration of funding applications were not applied fairly or consistently. Details of the procedure are on Pobal's website (under “Useful Links”) at: https://www.pobal.ie/FundingProgrammes/Ability%20Programme/Pages/Ability%20Programme.aspx.
The assessment process was therefore based on the materials provided by the applicant as to how they proposed to address the objectives of the scheme in line with the award criteria, as set out above. This process was applied irrespective of where the application originated. Therefore, the likelihood that an application based in an individual county would receive funding was based on the number of applications from that county and on an objective assessment by Pobal of the quality of that application.
The Ability programme attracted applications from 59 projects: applications were received from organisations in 22 counties. There were 13 counties in total for which only one application was received. Counties for which an application was received but could not be recommended for funding by Pobal include-Sligo, Donegal, Carlow, Clare, Westmeath and Waterford.
It is also important to note that while some of the successful applications came from organisations that are headquartered or based in particular locations, some of the projects will be providing services beyond that county in which they are based, and in some cases providing services across the country.
In addition to the Ability programme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection continues through its nationwide network of Intreo offices and through the EmployAbility service (a specialist service that has been designed to support people with disabilities-which is delivered on behalf of the department by 23 companies located around the country) to offer a full range of supports and services to people with disabilities who wish to pursue their employment ambitions.
543. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing all pension payments by payment type, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27585/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated full year cost of increasing all pension payments by €1 per week is detailed in the table:
|
Scheme |
Full Year Cost 2019 - €m |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
22.15 |
|
Widow/er's Contributory Pension (Aged 66 and over) |
4.46 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit (Aged 66 and over) |
0.12 |
|
Death Benefit Pension (Aged 66 and over) |
0.02 |
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
State Pension (Non Contributory) |
5.03 |
|
Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over) |
0.13 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over) |
0.31 |
|
Total Pension Payments |
32.22 |
It should be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2019. 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.
The appropriate rate of weekly social welfare rates of payment, including the rates for pensioners, will be considered by Government in the context of Budgetary deliberations.
544. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date upon which the four-year rule with respect to the back-to-work enterprise allowance was reduced to two years; and the instrument used to effect this change. [27597/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) is a non-statutory scheme designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment 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 duration payable for the BTWEA was reduced from 4 years to 2 years with effect from 1st May 2009 in respect of new claimants. This change was announced in the Supplementary Budget of 7th April 2009 and implemented by way of amendment to the administrative guidelines. Existing participants on the scheme at 1st May 2009 maintained their payment for a 4 year period.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
545. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to issues following recent changes which now allow persons on JobPath to also take part in a community employment scheme (details supplied); the reason persons are unable to leave JobPath once they are on a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27602/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the primary goal of my Department's activation services including the JobPath service, is to move people from full-time and part-time unemployment to full-time and sustained employment.
From 1st June all long term jobseekers who are currently engaged with the JobPath service and those who may be referred in future, have the option of applying for CE and Tús placement, thus facilitating the combination of the strengths of the two programmes. It will, in particular, enable those people with the JobPath service to not only continue to receive the personalised employment counselling and job search support provided by their JobPath personal advisors but also to avail of a Tús or CE placement which will provide valuable occupational activity and work experience.
In making this change I was particularly conscious that case-managed employment counselling and support is shown internationally, and in Ireland, to be the most effective means of supporting people back into sustained employment. I did not wish for people to cease participation in this type of service in order to take up a place on a part-time State employment programme. The decision I have now made enables people to benefit from both types of support.
I was also conscious in taking this decision that the resource constraints that informed the Department's policy up to this point have abated somewhat. In the past the Department operated what was a 'one person-one place' policy in order to ration the available places among all jobseekers. Given the welcome improvement in the labour market with unemployment now down to under 6% this policy can be relaxed slightly.
The JobPath service will be adapted to cater for those who opt to take up a Tús or Community Scheme and all meetings and activities will be scheduled to take account of the Scheme commitments. For example if a person is committed to participate in the employment scheme for 5 mornings, any JobPath meetings and other interventions will be scheduled for the afternoons. The JobPath companies will continue to provide all the supports which it currently provides. CE and Tús providers will not have to make any changes to their operations.
Application for participation on CE and Tús by JobPath customers is entirely voluntary and at their discretion.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
546. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive a social welfare payment. [27620/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA renewal application for Working Family Payment (WFP) was received from the person concerned on 16th April 2018.
However the renewal application could not be processed as the applicant had changed employment during the course of the last WFP award period. As the applicant had changed employment since the last renewal date it is necessary to complete a new application for WFP.
A new application for WFP was recently received from the person concerned.
The person concerned has been awarded WFP with effect from 15th March 2018 to 13th March 2019.
The first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on Tuesday 26th June 2018 and any arrears owing will also issue on this date.
The person concerned was notified on 22nd June 2018 of this decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
547. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a guardian payment is €400 while a fostering payment is €365; and the reason there is a difference in the payments in view of the fact that the responsibility is the same. [27657/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I want to clarify for the Deputy that the weekly rate of foster care allowance exceeds the weekly rate of guardian's payment.
One of the roles of my Department is to provide income support to families with children in the State. Guardian's payment (contributory) and guardian's payment (non-contributory) are, respectively, social insurance and social assistance (means-tested) payments made to a person caring for a child, where that child is defined as an orphan under social welfare legislation. These payments were known as orphan's payments until they were re-named in July 2006.
The purpose of the guardian's payment scheme is to provide income support in respect of those children whose parents are unable to provide for them, through death or other circumstances. Currently, there are around 1,600 people receiving guardian's payments in respect of approximately 2,300 children. Expenditure on guardian's payments schemes (contributory and non-contributory) was €19.7 million in 2017. A budget increase of €5 per week per orphan, implemented from March 2018, brings the weekly rate to €181 per orphan; the highest rate of weekly child income support paid by my Department.
Responsibility for fostering arrangements rests with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Specifically, under the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, “National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 – Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures”, responsibility for supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children and the provision of family support services lies with Túsla, the Child and Family Agency. Family support services provided under the National Policy Framework are available to all families in the State, not just those caring for foster children.
While it is acknowledged that there are perceived similarities between guardian's payments and foster care allowance payments, the schemes differ fundamentally in their purpose. As outlined, the aim of the guardian's payment scheme administered by my Department is the provision of income support. However, the Child and Family Agency in exercising its functions has a broader range of responsibilities and considerations in respect of children in the care of the State than the provision of income support alone.
Foster care allowance for a child up to 12 years is payable at the weekly rate of €325, increasing to €352 for those over 12 years. Any proposal to align the weekly rate of guardian's payment to that of foster care allowance would have to be considered by Government in an overall budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
548. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27679/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current legislation governing registration of births provides only for the registration of a mother's details and a father's details. It is not possible, at present, to register the details of a birth using the term “parent”. This is provided for in section 99 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which is yet to be commenced.
In the meantime, births should continue to be registered under the current procedures and then re-registered (to have the second parent registered as “parent”) once the amending legislation has come into effect. The relevant provisions for re-registration are contained in section 95 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which amends civil registration legislation relating to registration of births, and which also is yet to be commenced.
A number of amendments to civil registration legislation, including those referred to above, remain to be commenced pending the roll-out of training to staff of the Civil Registration Service who are employees of the HSE. The General Register Office is in a position to begin provision of training as soon as the HSE notifies it of the dates and venues. Discussions to commence the training are well advanced and it should hopefully commence shortly.
I welcome the initiative today by my colleague, Minister Harris, to bring forward two minor amendments to the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 that will allow for commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of that Act, dealing with Donor-Assisted Human Reproduction.
549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27703/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 07 December 2017. Payment, including arrears due from 07 December 2017 to 27 June 2018, will issue to his nominated bank account on the 28 June 2018. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 21 June 2018.
The gentleman's application for an increase in respect of a qualified adult and a qualified child is being processed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
550. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the entitlements to holidays for employees working in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27712/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn employee's entitlement to paid annual leave is set out in section 19 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (the 1997 Act). Section 19 of the 1997 Act transposed Article 7 of the original EU Working Time Directive (Directive 93/104/EC) - now consolidated by EU Directive 2003/88/EC. Under section 19 of the 1997 Act, an employee acquires an entitlement to 4 weeks' annual leave if he or she works at least 1,365 hours in a leave year, or acquires an entitlement to one-third of a working week for each month in the leave year in which he or she works at least 117 hours, or acquires an entitlement to 8 per cent of the hours he or she works in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks).
The Court of Justice of the European Union has interpreted the annual leave provisions of the EU Working Time Directive and has ruled that annual leave entitlement also accrues during sick leave. These rulings on accrual of annual leave entitlement during sick leave were formally transposed into Irish law by section 86(1) of the Workplace Relations Act 2015 and amended the annual leave provisions in the 1997 Act.
Any annual leave entitlements in a contract of employment over and above the statutory minimum will be a matter for negotiation between the employer and employee. Therefore, employers and employees are free to agree better terms than those set out in the legislation.
The 1997 Act also provides for 9 public holidays in addition to the statutory annual leave entitlements.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) provides information on employment rights, equality and industrial relations matters. Any persons with questions or complaints regarding their rights under employment legislation should contact Workplace Relations Customer Service on lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or via its website, www.workplacerelations.ie.
551. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the med 2 form needs a signature from the spouse of the claimant; the arrangements made to facilitate a claim without this signature in cases in which the claimant and spouse are estranged, for example in the case of domestic abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person who wishes to obtain treatment benefit (TB) as a dependent spouse on their spouse's/partner's PRSI record, must complete an eligibility check form, e.g. ME2 for hearing aids, to have their eligibility assessed. In order to determine eligibility the Department must confirm two things, firstly that the insured spouse/partner satisfies the PRSI contributions requirement and secondly that the person seeking TB is financially dependent on them.
To ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations, the Department seeks the written consent of both parties to their data being used to make the necessary eligibility enquiries. The insured spouse is asked to consent to the Department accessing their PRSI record to qualify their dependant spouse/partner; they are not asked to consent to their spouse having the treatment.
Where a person indicates that they are not in a position to obtain their spouse/partners signature on the form, the Department can still proceed to determine eligibility. In these cases, they should indicate in writing the particular circumstances that apply when submitting the relevant eligibility check form to the Department. The necessary enquiries will then be made to establish eligibility and to advise the customer accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
552. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for payment of rent supplement arrears in the case of a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing can be facilitated in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27775/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of rent supplement is to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible persons living in private rented accommodation, where they are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
The person concerned was in receipt of rent supplement since 12/12/2016 at a monthly rate of €861.29 with a total of €8,613 paid to December 2017. On 6/9/2017, a letter was issued to the person concerned advising their claim was under review and to return requested documents within 14 days to avoid suspension to payment. The review form SWA 3A states “Failure to return the form (fully completed) by the date specified may result in your payment being suspended/withdrawn without further notice”. As documents were not returned, payment was suspended. On 8/1/2018, a second letter was issued to the person concerned advising them that given their circumstances they could nominate the rent supplement payment to be paid directly to the landlord. To date, form SWA 3A, verification of rent paid in September 2017, November 2017 or December 2017 has not been received as requested.
On 28/3/18, the person concerned forwarded a copy of a determination they had received from the landlord. On the 9/5/18, the landlord contacted this Department to advise the person concerned had left the property following an enforcement notice. As is procedure, rent supplement was closed at the address. Notification of cessation of claim could not be issued to the person concerned as their whereabouts was not known at that time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
553. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has enough contributions to apply for an invalidity pension. [27780/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe lady concerned is currently in receipt of a disability allowance payment from my Department at a reduced rate, because of her means.
Invalidity 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.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E, H or S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
A claimant must also be regarded as permanently incapable of work, which is defined as: incapacity for work of such a nature that the likelihood is that the claimant will be incapable of work for life, or an incapacity which has existed for 12 months prior to the date of claim, and where the Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the claimant is likely to be unable to work for 1 year from the date of claim.
According to the Department's records, it appears that this lady satisfies the PRSI contribution criteria for IP. However, entitlement to IP can only be definitively determined on receipt of a completed application form. An application form issued to her on 25 June 2018. On receipt of the completed form, a decision on her eligibility will be made and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
554. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Gnóthaí Fostaíochta agus Coimirce Sóisialaí an bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha dá Roinn; an post lánaimseartha atá ann nó an bhfuil dualgais bhreise ar an oifigeach Gaeilge; cén grád atá ag an oifigeach Gaeilge; an bhfuil sé nó sí ábalta a ghnó nó a gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [27806/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNíl Oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Fostaíochta agus Coimirce Sóisialaí. Tá freagracht, áfach, ar an Aonad Pleanála Corparáidí as faireachán a dhéanamh ar fhorfheidhmiúchán Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus Scéim Teanga na Roinne 2015-2018. Feidhmíonn an tAonad mar rannóg idirchaidrimh le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga agus leis an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus cuireann an tAonad tuairiscí agus eolas eile ar fáil de réir mar is gá.
Mar chuid dá fheidhm faireacháin, tugann an tAonad Pleanála Corparáidí faoi roinnt áirithe cúraimí:
- Déantar forfheidhmiúchán ghealltanais na Roinne sa Scéim Teanga a athbhreithniú gach bliain – ba i Mí na Nollag 2017 a tugadh an t-athbhreithniú ba dhéanaí chun críche;
- Coinnítear liosta, in ord aibítre de réir an tsuímh, de shonraí teagmhála na mball foirne a bhíonn toilteanach seirbhís trí Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil;
- Eisítear fógraí gach ráithe chuig an bhfoireann ar fad, chun dualgais na Roinne a chur i gcuimhne dóibh maidir le bheith ag déileáil le custaiméiri ar mian leo plé le seirbhísí na Roinne trí Ghaeilge;
- Cinntítear go gcuirtear na dualgais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus faoin Scéim ar a súile don fhoireann i gcúrsaí ábhartha oiliúna na foirne lena n-áirítear cúrsaí intreorach d'iontrálaithe nua agus cúrsaí oiliúna do bhainisteoirí;
- Déantar suirbhéanna ar ár n-oifigí a bhíonn ag plé aghaidh ar aghaidh lenár gcustaiméirí chun leibhéal agus cineál na seirbhíse a bhíonn ar fáil trí Ghaeilge a chur in iúl agus
- Tuairiscítear faoi sheachadadh na seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge agus faoi fhorfheidhmiúchán na Scéime inár dTuarascáil Bhliantúil.
555. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27836/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. 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 hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
556. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 11 April 2018. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 11 July 2018. Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
557. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding pensions for community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27882/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. They are not employees of my Department or public servants, and as such were not subject to pay reductions under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) which only applied to public servants.
While the motion called for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to meet with unions with a view to addressing the issue of CE supervisors' pension provision, the issue is currently being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A number of Departments including my own Department are represented on this group, as are the unions and Pobal.
A detailed scoping exercise was carried out with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland. The exercise clearly illustrated that this matter presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost to the State of €188 million per annum in respect of funding to enable an employer pension contribution in State funded Community and Voluntary organisations, excluding any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could, depending on the size of the sector, entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.
I am very conscious that while the issue relates to Community Employment supervisors and assistant supervisors, such individuals comprise of just one small group within the wider Community and Voluntary sector. Any provision of State funding for such a scheme in respect of those employees could potentially give rise to claims for similar schemes on the part of those in the broader sector, thus crystallising the potential level of liability. Any solution to this issue will require careful consideration, in particular the implications for scarce Exchequer resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
558. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if personnel in her Department have been removed from their position, have been transferred to another role or had their employment terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27950/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the four year period from 1st June 2014 to 31st May 2018, thirteen (13) staff members of my Department had their employment terminated as a result of serious misconduct in breach of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. In addition, one other staff member was transferred to another role during this period due to misconduct in breach of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.
559. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress on each action outlined in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 that fall under her Department’s remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27975/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Inclusion Strategy referred to by the Deputy is a whole of Government initiative aimed at improving the lives of the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland.
My Department is committed to advancing new employment and economic opportunities for these communities, through effective public employment services, and in partnership with stakeholders on the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, informed by representatives of the Traveller and Roma communities.
Progress on the actions relevant to my Department in the Strategy is set out in the following two tables, covering the two themes of “Employment and the Traveller Economy” and “Public Services”.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: DEASP progress on actions under theme 3 of the NTRIS: Employment and The Traveller Economy
|
No. |
Action |
Progress Made/Planned Progress |
|
24 |
The Department of Social Protection (DEASP) will promote the availability of existing employment and training services (e.g. those provided by the Education and Training Boards) to the Roma and Traveller communities and continue to ensure promotional and information materials are available and accessible on any of its schemes and services including via the Department's website. The Department of Social Protection will provide tailored supports for the long-term unemployed and for young people to build their confidence and prepare them for the workplace. |
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) is currently planning a series of customer information campaigns for 2018 on how best to promote the availability of existing employment and training services to both the traveller and Roma communities as outlined in the National Traveller/Roma Inclusion Strategy. In the coming months, the Department will seek to engage with a number of Traveller and Roma representative groups to discuss the schemes and services with a view to assessing how best to proceed with the promotion of these schemes and services. |
|
25 |
The Department of Social Protection will develop targeted initiatives to increase Traveller and Roma engagement with employment and training services. |
In order to inform developments on this action, the Department has begun collating statistical information (to the extent that this is available) on current levels of participation by the Traveller and Roma communities in activation programmes. |
|
27 |
The Department of Social Protection and Department of Rural and Community Development with put in place liaison arrangements between INTREO and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) to enable Travellers and Roma to access relevant supports, training and opportunities. |
DEASP staff in INTREO offices will continue to work in partnership with SICAP officers to enable Travellers and Roma customers to access relevant supports, training and opportunities. |
|
32 |
The Department of Social Protection, in collaboration where appropriate with the Department of Justice and Equality, will support Traveller MABS. |
The DEAPS supports National Traveller MABS (NTMABS), by way of including provision for an onward annual grant from the Citizens Information Board's overall annual funding allocation. In 2018, NTMABS has been allocated €308,576 from CIB's budget |
|
36 |
The Department of Social Protection will ensure that Travellers and Roma under the age of 25 who register as unemployed claimants of Jobseekers' payments will receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship or traineeship within a period of four months of registering, in line with commitments under the Youth Guarantee. |
This is ongoing under the 'Youth Guarantee'. |
Table 2: DEASP progress on actions under theme 10 of the NTRIS: Public Services
Theme: 10. Public Services
|
Number |
Action |
Progress Made / Planned Progress |
|
143 |
All Departments and relevant agencies will ensure that all relevant public service staff members receive anti-racism and cultural awareness training. |
The Department continues to provide up-to-date information and training to staff on entitlements for all clients in relation to its schemes and services. Awareness and respect for equality and diversity (including relevant legislation) is an integral component of all our training activity in line with the core values of the Department. A programme framework of a QQI Level 6 Certificate in Social Protection Studies has been developed DEASP in partnership with the National College of Ireland. The framework has been submitted and presented to QQI for formal evaluation and validation and is currently progressing through the governance processes and structures. The DEASP and NCI expect to be a position to commence enrolments in Q4 2018, subject to official QQI validation. |
560. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received the 2017 annual report of the Citizens Information Board; if so, if she is satisfied with the way in which the vote in Dáil Éireann on the Citizens Information Board and MABS of 30 March 2017 is treated therein in view of the Citizens Information Board executive's subsequent course of action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28069/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra561. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received the 2017 annual report of the Citizens Information Board; if so, if she is satisfied with the way in which the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection's Report and recommendations of 1 June 2017 are treated of therein in view of the Citizens Information Board executive's subsequent course of action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28070/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra562. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received the 2017 annual report of the Citizens Information Board; if so, if she is satisfied that all expenditures reported therein meet the requirement of the Comptroller and Auditor General that public moneys may be appropriated only on the authority of Dáil Éireann, in view of the vote in Dáil Éireann on Citizens Information and MABS of 30 March 2017 and in further view of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection's report and recommendations of 1 June 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28071/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 560 to 562, inclusive, together.
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for providing information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through a network of service delivery partners including the Citizens Information Services (CIS) and the, Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS).
In February 2017, the Board of CIB made a decision to reorganise the governance arrangements of the 93 individual local companies to a new regionally based 16 company model comprising 8 CIS and 8 MABS companies. The aim of the change is to improve the effectiveness of the control environment, financial management and governance of the CIS and MABS networks which are 100% State funded. The change is about improving the governance framework, focusing on frontline service delivery to citizens, improving the consistency and quality of service delivery and where possible, extending services for those who need them. I am satisfied that the board of CIB made this decision in the best interest of the citizens which it serves.
Implementation of the Board's decision has already seen the establishment of 6 new companies – 3 CIS and 3 MABS in North Leinster, South Munster and Dublin South. All staff, assets and liabilities of the 38 local companies involved in this phase have transferred to the new companies. There has been no change to service delivery points, no reduction in staffing, nor has there been any diminution of services for clients. The final phase of implementation is now underway, with the remaining 5 CIS and 5 MABS regional companies due to be established in Q4, 2018.
The annual grant provided to CIB under Section 4 of the Comhairle Act 2000 is accounted for under Section 22 of the Act, which requires that the annual accounts, approved by the Board, are submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG).
CIB's 2017 accounts have already been submitted to the C&AG for audit. When the audit is complete, a copy of the annual accounts and the report of the CandAG will be presented to the Board and to the Minister and will then be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as required by legislation.
Section 24 of the Comhairle Act, 2000 requires CIB to make an Annual Report to the Minister by 30th June each year. The annual report for 2017 is expected by the required date and will be laid the Houses of the Oireachtas, as required by legislation.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
