Written Answers Nos. 2440-2459
2440. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her definition of biometric data; her views on whether this definition is compatible with general data protection regulation, GDPR, EU case law, the advice of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and the recommendations of the Article 29 working party. [32576/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBiometric data, as defined in the GDPR, Article 4. 14, means “personal data resulting from specific technical processing relating to the physical, physiological or behavioural characteristics of a natural person, which allow or confirm the unique identification of that natural person, such as facial images or dactyloscopic [fingerprint] data.”
The GDPR clarifies that the processing of certain personal data, such as photographs, should not systematically be considered as biometric data unless such personal data is processed through a specific technical means allowing the unique identification or authentication of a natural person.
The collection and printing of a simple JPEG image on the Public Service Card (PSC) does not therefore constitute the collection or processing of special category data.
Data Protection legislation refers to Biometric data in its definition of special categories of personal data and then goes on in sections 69 and 207 to define Biometric data in the same terms as the GDPR, that is , data resulting from specific technical processing.
Section 46 of the Data Protection Act provides specific authority for the processing of special categories of personal data (including biometric data) for social welfare and employment Law purposes.
The Department is satisfied that it is compliant with the law and is covered by the current legislative framework including the GDPR, the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, and the Data Protection Act 2018.
2441. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has contracted the legal services of a company (details supplied) at any point over each of the past six years; if so, the costs involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32640/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not contracted legal services from the company mentioned by the Deputy at any point over the past six years.
2442. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered raising the telephone allowance to €4 per week; if extending the eligibility for the telephone allowance to all those in receipt of the State pension has been considered in view of the prevalence of rural isolation and loneliness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32673/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is a weekly payment of €2.50. Customers of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection who are in receipt of a qualifying payment and who are also in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance automatically qualify for the TSA. Approximately 127,000 customers are in receipt of the TSA payment. The estimated full year cost of the scheme is €16.14 million.
The primary objective of the TSA is to allow the most vulnerable people access to personal alarms or phones for security. The allowance will also encourage social contact and assist in the prevention of social isolation for those living alone.
The criteria for the TSA are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment and these criteria will ensure that the TSA payment goes to those most at risk of social isolation.
Any decision to extend the TSA scheme to all pensioners regardless of their means or personal circumstances or to increase the weekly rate to €4 would have significant budget implications and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2443. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of restoring the bereavement grant; if its reintroduction has been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32674/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the economic downturn, my Department protected primary social welfare rates and in recent years, as the economy recovered, the Government has concentrated resources in improving the core rates of payments, particularly for pensioners. The Bereavement grant was a payment of €850 mad where the deceased or his/her surviving partner was an insured contributor to the social insurance fund.
The number of bereavement grant claims in 2013 was 23,716, and this represented an increase of approximately 4% on 2012. Based on a similar yearly increase each year since 2013, it is estimated that the number of bereavement grant claims that might arise in 2019, were the scheme to be re-introduced, would be in the region of 30,000, and the number would be expected to increase in future years. Accordingly, if there were 30,000 such grants made in 2019, at a rate of €850 each, the cost would be approx. €25.5 million.
Any decision to reinstate the Bereavement Grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
It’s worth noting that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the grant. These include weekly-paid widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off widowed or surviving civil partner grant of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. In Budget 2016, the Government increased the payment after death period to 12 weeks for carer’s allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. This is a more targeted and efficient manner of assisting people with bereavement expenses. In 2017 almost 2,800 payments with an average value of €1,820 were issued to support families with bereavement expenses. This payment ensures that families with a real need for support are supported and to a higher value than a general payment of €850.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2444. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of households in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, one parent family payment, family income supplement, disability allowance, invalidity pension and non-contributory pension. [32686/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of households in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, one parent family payment, working family payment (formerly family income supplement), disability allowance, invalidity pension and non-contributory pension is not available in my Department.
I am however informed that at the end of June there were 555,953 recipients of these schemes; a breakdown of this number by scheme is detailed in the tabular statement.
Recipients of jobseeker's allowance, one parent family payment, working family payment (formerly family income supplement), disability allowance, invalidity pension and
non-contributory pension at the end of June 2018
|
Scheme |
Recipients |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
170,952 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
39,558 |
|
Working Family Payment (Formerly Family Income Supplement) |
56,123 |
|
Disability Allowance |
137,029 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
57,541 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
94,750 |
|
Total |
555,953 |
2445. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32704/18]
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 oral hearing, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.
I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Department was requested to return the file to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The file is now to hand and the Appeals Officer will review her decision in light of the additional evidence submitted. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2446. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 907 of 10 July 2018, the steps she is taking to ensure that there are adequate staff in her Department to deal with applications for carer's benefit in a timely fashion in order that applicants are not left for weeks with no payment due to processing times of between nine and 11 weeks. [32720/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2556. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase staffing resources to reduce the delays in having applications such as carer's allowance processed and finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34635/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2446 and 2556 together.
Like all Government departments and agencies, my Department is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, business priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department. My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
At the end of June 2018, the average waiting time for new carer's allowance (CA) applications was 16 weeks with 5,507 CA applications awaiting decision. The volume of CA applications on hands are also a consequence of a continued increased intake of claims with the number of applications for CA in 2017 26% higher than in 2015.
Before a decision can be made on entitlement to carer’s allowance, evidence must be provided in respect of the care recipient’s care requirement, the level of care the carer provides and the carer’s means. In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions can take longer to process. This is compounded if the documentary evidence provided at initial application stage is incomplete or insufficient; this is often the case with carer’s allowance applications. A redesigned application form was published last week; this new form will allow carers to provide more information on the type and level of care they provide, with an aim to providing Deciding Officers with the information they need to expedite decisions on entitlement.
My Department is constantly reviewing the staffing needs and the processes involved in Carer’s Allowance, to improve the service available to customers availing of this scheme.
2447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32729/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, as well as providing income supports for people with disabilities, offers a range of employment services designed to support and assist both: people with disabilities to enter, re-enter and/or sustain employment and employers in the business community to recruit and/or retain employees with a disability in their organisation.
Employment supports for persons with a disability include:
- the Intreo service, which provides employment support services for people with disabilities who wish to engage, on a voluntary basis.
- the EmployAbility service (delivered on behalf of the department by 23 contractors located across the country) which provides a job coach and personal progression planning service for people with disabilities who are seeking to access employment in the open labour market
- the partial capacity benefit scheme, which allows people with disabilities to return to work or self-employment and continue to receive a payment from the department.
Supports for employers include:
- the wage subsidy scheme, a financial incentive (a subsidy) paid to private sector employers: in order to support / create new employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the open labour market.
- the reasonable accommodation fund, which assists employers to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability to enter, re-enter or sustain employment by providing a range of grants, which include the workplace equipment adaptation grant, the personal reader grant, the job interview interpreter grant and the employee retention grant.
It is recognised that the transition from education and other services to the world of work can be challenging for persons with a disability; given this the department has in place the following measures -
- The department contracts for the provision, by AHEAD, (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability) of the ‘Get Ahead’ and the ‘Willing Able Mentoring’ (WAM) programmes. These have been designed to assist graduates with disabilities to obtain employment.
- On 1 June this year I announced the funding for ‘Ability’, a new pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities. The 27 projects being funded under the programme will provide supports and assistance to more than 2,600 young people with disabilities, aged between 15 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. Initially it was expected that funding for the programme would amount to some €10 million over a three year period. However, given the quality of the proposals received, enhanced funding has been put in place of around €16 million to support the 27 projects.
In addition to the above, the department is committed to the implementation of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) for People with Disabilities (2015-2024). This strategy was developed by a combination of Government Departments, State Agencies, the National Disability Authority, Disability Stakeholders and the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, and was adopted by Government in October 2015. The strategy is a cross-Government measure, co-ordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality, which sets out a ten-year approach to ensure that people with disabilities, who are able to, and want to work are supported and enabled to do so. Following a commitment in the CES, the ‘Make Work Pay’ (MWP) report was published in April 2017. This report was undertaken in order to better identify how people with disabilities could be supported to achieve their employment ambitions. A consultation process, with persons with disabilities, their families and representatives in relation to a number of recommendations of the report has recently being completed and I look forward to learning the outcome of the consultation process in due course. Examples of progress/improvements implemented to date resulting from the CES/MWP reports include:
- the department has progressively rolled out its full Intreo service to people with disabilities who wish to avail of the service on a voluntary basis.
- A Benefits of Work Estimator has been developed and is available on MyWelfare.ie and can be accessed through Welfare.ie.
- A fast track return to Disability Allowance (DA) process has been implemented for persons with a disability who enter employment and for some reason the particular employment opportunity does not work out.
- the extension of entitlement to a free travel pass to 5 years after commencing full-time employment (or exceeding the appropriate income threshold) has been put in place. Note this exceeds the three years recommended in the MWP report.
The department is committed to further improving its employment services for persons with a disability.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2448. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a copy of the report compiled by her Department into seasonal and part-time workers' entitlements to social protection payments will be published in view of the commitment by her predecessor in November 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32734/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report on Jobseekers Benefit Duration and Subsidiary Employment examines the jobseekers benefit scheme duration and seasonal and part-time workers who have subsidiary employment. It also examines the daily earnings limit that currently applies to employment classed as subsidiary.
I am currently considering the findings of the report and intend to submit it to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection shortly for their consideration.
I trust this clarifies the matter at this time.
2449. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she has taken to address the regional imbalance in the recent funding announced under the Ability programme; her plans regarding funding for an organisation (details supplied) which was a joint application with other disability groups in County Donegal; the efforts being made to address the need for funding for disability groups in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32744/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ‘Ability’ programme is a pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities. . It is 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). The 27 projects being funded will provide supports and assistance to more than 2,600 young people with disabilities aged between 15 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.
Recommendations as to which applications should receive funding were based on a detailed and independent assessment process undertaken by Pobal. 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%)
The assessment process was 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 based entirely on the quality of the application and this applied irrespective of where the application originated.
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 the above basis, of the 59 applications received 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 as part of the information campaign and programme materials.
Decisions as to funding were based entirely on the assessment and on the recommendation coming from the Pobal assessment process. Neither I, the Minister for State nor the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection had any role to play in deciding on individual recommendations under this completely independent assessment process.
It is important to note, that at the time of the launch of the ‘Ability’ programme, 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.
In addition to the above and in order to support the process, Pobal has put in place an appeals procedure for applicants who feel that decisions taken and procedures followed by Pobal in relation to its administration of applications was 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 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.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the deputy.
2450. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who has completed a JobPath course with Turas Nua and has been offered a community employment scheme is now being advised that the person cannot take up this scheme unless the person completes another JobPath course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32822/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that from 1st June 2018 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 placements, thus enabling the combination of the strengths of the two programmes. 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. Schemes such as CE and Tús provide part time work experience for those who have been out of the workforce for an extended period.
In relation to the person mentioned, I am advised that the person completed a year with the JobPath service in December 2017; was eligible 6 months later for selection for referral to the JobPath service again and was randomly selected on 16 June 2018 to return to the service to build on the skills and competencies gained during the first year. The person was interviewed for a CE Scheme on 28 June and was successful in securing a placement.
The person will be facilitated to take up the position provided that they commit to engage with the Jobpath Service. This will allow them 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 the CE placement which will provide valuable occupational activity and work experience.
All meetings and activities will be scheduled, in consultation with the person themselves to take account of their CE commitments. For example, if they are 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.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
2451. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if employees from a liquidated company (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be issued redundancy payments by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32850/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the redundancy payments scheme is to compensate employees for the loss of their jobs, where the employer is unable to pay statutory redundancy due to financial difficulties or insolvency. An eligible employee is entitled to two weeks statutory redundancy payment for every year of service, plus a bonus week. Compensation is based on the worker’s length of reckonable service and reckonable weekly remuneration, subject to a ceiling of €600 per week and applicants must meet the scheme qualifying requirements. One of the qualifying requirements is that the employee must have continuously worked for the employer for at least 104 weeks immediately before being made redundant.
My officials have confirmed that in the case of the first named individual, the liquidator submitted a redundancy claim on their behalf and the statutory redundancy payment issued directly to the employee by cheque on 12 June 2018.
In the case of the second named individual, the liquidator did not submit a redundancy claim on their behalf. However, they did submit a claim in respect of this employee under the Insolvency Payments Scheme. The employment period stated on that claim form was of less than two years’ duration. Therefore, they do not qualify for a redundancy payment in this instance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2452. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 880 of 10 July 2018, if she will clarify the second part of the question (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32851/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo clarify my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 880 of 10 July 2018 with regards to considering extending the free travel scheme to all people who have a disability and/or significant health issues, I will consider carefully all submissions in relation to proposals for the forthcoming Budget. The Government has not made any decisions in relation to measures to be introduced in Budget 2019. The Government will finalise its consideration of the Budget in the coming months having regard to all of its commitments. The outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2453. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full year cost of reducing the number of paid PRSI contributions to qualify for a widower's pension and surviving civil partner's contributory pension from 260 contributions to 230; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32860/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, either the person claiming or their late spouse or civil partner must have 260 paid PRSI contributions. Virtually all paid PRSI contributions count towards this pension, including contributions paid by public servants and the self-employed.
If a person is divorced and would have been entitled to a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension had they remained married, they keep their entitlement to the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension. Similarly, if their civil partnership has been dissolved and they would have been entitled to a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension had they remained in the civil partnership, they keep their entitlement to the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.
The pension is payable regardless of other income.
From December 2013 the number of contributions required for Widow's, Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension and Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension increased from 156 to 260 (i.e. 5 years paid PRSI contributions). The requirement of 156 paid contributions equated to only three year’s attachment to the work force. The qualification criterion had not changed since 1953. Once a customer qualifies, the pension is paid for life and is increased to the level of the State pension at age 66. This was not sustainable, particularly at a time when the qualifying conditions for the State Pension increased to 520 paid contributions.
The requirement of 260 contributions (5 years contributions), over the course of perhaps a 40-50 year working career is not an onerous requirement and there are no plans to lower that figure.
My Department cannot estimate the cost of the impact of reducing the number of paid contributions from 260 to 230 contributions as there is no data available or estimates that can be made in relation to those who are widowed and who do not apply or who remain on another scheme.
Maximum Payment Rates 2017:
|
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension |
Maximum weekly rate |
|
Widow/widower/surviving civil partner (under 66) |
€203.50 |
|
Widow/widower/surviving civil partner (aged 66 and under 80) |
€243.30 |
|
Widow/widower/surviving civil partner (aged 80 and over) |
€250.30 |
|
Increase for qualified child |
€31.80 |
It should be noted for those who do not qualify for lack of contributions for the Widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension, there are other supports available. If under 66, they may qualify for the means-tested Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (non-contributory pension). If they have dependent children, they may qualify for the One-Parent Family payment. If they are over 66, they can apply for the means-tested State Pension (non-contributory) in their own right. These means tested payments help ensure that people with limited means can have access to state income support.
I do hope this clarifies the matter for the matter for the Deputy.
2454. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when arrears will issue in respect of a disability allowance claim by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32891/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 11 April 2018. The first payment was made by his chosen payment method on 11 July 2018.
Arrears of payment due, less any necessary adjustment in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable) has issued to the person concerned on 16 July 2018.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2455. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32906/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 9 July 2018. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2456. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of projects, supervisors, assistant supervisors and participants in Waterford city and county in community employment in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32932/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) schemes provide part-time temporary work in local communities, including opportunities for training and development as a stepping-stone back to employment, for people in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payments. These schemes help to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chance of returning to the labour market. My Department is also conscious of the valuable contribution the schemes are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland.
The Community Employment Programme has a budget of €350.03m. At the end of June 2018, there were 21,026 CE participants and 1.334 supervisors/assistant supervisors engaged in the programme.
The following table provides details of the number of projects, supervisors, assistant supervisors and participants in Waterford city and county in Community Employment at 31 December in each of the years from 2012 to 2017.
|
Year |
Projects |
Supervisors |
Assistant Supervisors |
Participants |
|
2012 |
36 |
37 |
5 |
565 |
|
2013 |
38 |
40 |
4 |
709 |
|
2014 |
40 |
42 |
5 |
807 |
|
2015 |
39 |
45 |
8 |
839 |
|
2016 |
35 |
36 |
9 |
751 |
|
2017 |
36 |
38 |
10 |
781 |
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2457. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the qualified child payment by €5 for all children over 12 years of age. [32979/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated full year cost of increasing the Qualified Child Increase by €5 for qualified children aged 12 and over is €33.3 million. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019.
2458. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the length of time a person (details supplied) has been awaiting an appeal for a carer's allowance; the average appeal waiting time for a carer's allowance; and the further length of time the person will have to wait for the appeal to be processed in view of the hardship being experienced. [32986/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 January 2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case was then referred to an Appeals Officer. Following consideration, the Appeals Officer has decided to hold an oral hearing on the case in early August 2018. The person concerned will be notified shortly of the arrangements for the hearing. The Appeals Officer will then consider the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the average processing time for carer's allowance appeals to the end of June 2018 is 28.1 weeks for appeals requiring an oral hearing, and 24.2 weeks for appeals which were determined by means of a summary 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.
2459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a pension calculation based on isolated Irish contributions only or isolated UK contributions only would yield a higher State pension payment than a person's (details supplied) current payment based on combined Irish and UK contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33002/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 129 full-rate paid Irish contributions. Based on their Irish contribution history only, the person does not qualify for an Irish state pension (contributory). A minimum of 520 full-rate paid contributions is required for entitlement to standard state pension (contributory), with a minimum of 260 full-rate paid contributions required for entitlement to a mixed insurance pro-rata pension.
Under European Union Regulations, a person’s social insurance record in one or more EU countries can be combined with their Irish social insurance record, to determine entitlement to a pro-rata pension. As the person concerned has a UK social insurance record, their entitlement to an EU pro-rata state pension (contributory) was examined. The person concerned was awarded an EU (mixed insurance) pro-rata state pension (contributory), based on their full rate and modified rate Irish social insurance contributions, together with their EU social insurance contributions. The person was notified in writing of this decision on 15 March 2018, and arrears due were issued on that date.
The person concerned is in receipt of a reduced rate state pension from the UK. Enquiries regarding qualification for, and review of, UK pension entitlement based on a person’s UK insurance record should be directed to the UK’s Department of Work and Pensions.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
