Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Ceisteanna (2460)

John Brady

Ceist:

2460. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the targets agreed in relation to tackling poverty. [33077/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The National Social Target for Poverty Reduction was agreed by Government in 2012 and aimed to reduce consistent poverty from 6.3% in 2010 to 4% by 2016 (interim target) and to 2% or less by 2020. This was an ambitious target, particularly during a time of economic recession, but one to which the Government has remained committed.

Data from the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) indicate that consistent poverty rose sharply from the 2010 level, to a peak of 9.1% in 2013. The most recent SILC data from 2016 indicate that this had reduced to 8.3%. A reduction of 6 percentage points will now be required to meet the 2020 poverty target of 2%.

There are two other components of the National Social Target for Poverty Reduction:

(i) The Irish contribution to the Europe 2020 poverty target: to reduce by a minimum of 200,000 the population in 'combined poverty' (i.e. consistent poverty, at-risk-of-poverty or basic deprivation) between 2010 and 2020.

(ii) The child-specific poverty target: to lift over 70,000 children (aged 0-17 years) out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Ceisteanna (2461)

John Brady

Ceist:

2461. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on poverty rates; and the actions being taken to tackle poverty as a result. [33078/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The National Social Target for Poverty Reduction was agreed by Government in 2012 and aimed to reduce consistent poverty from 6.3% in 2010 to 4% by 2016 (interim target) and to 2% or less by 2020. This was an ambitious target, particularly during a time of economic recession, but one to which the Government has remained committed.

Data from the CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) indicate that consistent poverty rose sharply from the 2010 level, to a peak of 9.1% in 2013. The most recent SILC data from 2016 indicate that this had reduced to 8.3%. A reduction of 6 percentage points will now be required to meet the 2020 poverty target of 2%.

There are two other components of the National Social Target for Poverty Reduction:

(i)The Irish contribution to the Europe 2020 poverty target: to reduce by a minimum of 200,000 the population in 'combined poverty' (i.e. those in consistent poverty or at-risk-of-poverty or experiencing basic deprivation) between 2010 and 2020.

The number of people in combined poverty increased significantly from 2010 to 2013, reaching a high of 1.74 million compared to the 1.4 million 2010 baseline figure. Therefore, while the 2016 SILC data indicates there has been a decrease of 22,000 people on the 2010 baseline, since 2013 the number of people in combined poverty has decreased by 351,000. Nonetheless, over 178,000 people will have to be lifted out of combined poverty by 2020 to meet the Europe 2020 target.

(ii) The child-specific poverty target: to lift over 70,000 children (aged 0-17 years) out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level.

The number of children in consistent poverty rose significantly from the 2011 baseline figure of 107,000 to a high of 152,000 in 2014. The 2016 SILC data indicates that there were 132,000 children in consistent poverty in 2016, a decrease of 20,000 children on 2014. This means that a revised figure of 95,000 children have to be lifted out of consistent poverty to meet the target by 2020.

The impact of the recovery is not yet fully reflected in these most recent data, which reflect income conditions in 2015-2016. Macro-economic and labour market indicators have shown continued economic and employment growth since then, with the unemployment rate at 5.1% in June. The number of people in receipt of working-age income and employment supports has also continued to fall. Given the continuing economic recovery and measures introduced in Budgets 2017 and 2018, I expect the figures for 2017 and 2018, when they become available, to show further improvement over the 2016 outcomes. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that the economic recovery is experienced in all regions and by all families, households and individuals.

The Government’s most recent strategy for addressing poverty and social exclusion was set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 and its 2015-2017 update which concluded last year. The Plan identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty. My Department has started preparations for the new strategy for the period 2018-2021. It will have a ‘whole of Government’ approach that aims to improve outcomes for the vulnerable and marginalised in our society, while recognising a shared responsibility across Government to implement actions to achieve the overall objectives.

The primary focus will be on the reduction of the percentage of the population that is in consistent poverty. This will be achieved through a three pronged approach: supporting incomes through as high as possible a level of employment, and encouraging and assisting people to enter the workforce; setting targets for the level of relevant welfare payments designed to reduce relative poverty among those who cannot (or cannot find) work; and finally improving access to quality services such as health, education, childcare, training, housing, community supports in order to minimize deprivation for all groups and, in particular those who are on relatively low incomes.

Working Family Payment Appeals

Ceisteanna (2462)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

2462. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe a person (details supplied) will have to wait for a decision to be made on their appeal against the decision to refuse their working family payment application which they applied for in January 2018. [33093/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who will consider the appeal in light of all the available evidence. It is expected that the Appeals Officer’s decision will issue to the person concerned in the near future.

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 on social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Administration

Ceisteanna (2463)

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

2463. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will increase the amount paid in maintenance grants to participants on community employment schemes to reflect the increase in costs experienced by these schemes particularly in relation to insurance. [33097/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The annual budget provided to Community Employment (CE) schemes includes an amount to cover consumable services and materials, including insurance, necessary for the effective operation of the project.

The responsibility for insuring CE schemes rests with the CE sponsoring organisation (the legal employer). My Department is aware that there has been an increase in insurance premiums for CE schemes over recent years. The main reason cited for this is an increase in claims frequency by such schemes. In the first instance, my Department recommends that schemes seek alternative quotes to ensure they get value for money. Also, if CE schemes are not filling their contracted number of participants, it is recommended that they align their insurance requirement with actual participant numbers.

Insurance premium costs are reimbursed from the CE materials budget for the scheme. However, if a scheme is experiencing particular difficulties with insurance costs, the Sponsor should contact their local DEASP officer to discuss the issue.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Insurance

Ceisteanna (2464)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

2464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grounds upon which it can transpire that 25 years of combined contributions in the case of a person (details supplied) equates to a particularly reduced pension; if their case will be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33122/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

A minimum of 520 full-rate paid social insurance contributions is required for entitlement to a standard Irish State pension (contributory), with a minimum of 260 full-rate paid social insurance contributions required for entitlement to a mixed insurance pro-rata pension. According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has 170 full-rate paid contributions and does not satisfy the qualifying conditions for standard or mixed insurance State pension (contributory). The person was notified of both of these decisions on 20 November 2017.

On review of the person’s social insurance contribution history, it is noted that only 5 contributions are recorded for the tax year 1973-74, with no contributions recorded for the two subsequent tax years 1974-75 and 1975-76. In addition, no social insurance contributions are recorded following the person’s public service (modified) employment contributions in 2011 until the person reached pension age. If the person considers that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, they should forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.

It is also open to the person concerned to apply for State pension (non-contributory) pension. This is a means-tested payment. A person with assessed means of up to €30 per week may qualify for the maximum rate; tapered rates of entitlement apply where weekly means are between €30 and €257.50; and non-qualification where means exceed €257.50 per week.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Rates

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2465 to and 2475, inclusive, together.

The full year cost of increasing the weekly rates of the payments by €5 per week, as requested by the Deputy, is set out in the following table:

Scheme	Full year cost of €5 per week increase (millions)
Disability Allowance	€39.67
Carer’s Allowance	€16.68
Carer’s Benefit	€0.71
Blind Pension	€0.34
One Parent Family Payment	€10.17
Invalidity Pension	€17.04
Jobseeker’s Allowance	€43.1
Jobseeker’s Benefit	€8.56
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	€4.57
Farm Assist	€2.33
State Pension Contributory	€110.51
State Pension Non-Contributory	€25.14
Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension	€22.24
Death Benefit Pension (aged 66 and over)	€0.18
Deserted Wife’s Benefit (aged 66 and over)	€0.58
Carer’s Allowance (aged 66 and over)	€2.23

It should be noted that all of the costings above, unless otherwise stated, include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant. In addition in the case of jobseeker’s allowance the cost includes the full €5 increase for jobseeker’s allowance recipients on age related reduced rates. This cost also provides the full €5 per week increase for qualified adults on the €107.70 weekly rate.

The full year cost of increasing expenditure on the working family payment by 5% would be €21.6 million in 2019, based on the 2018 Revised Estimates allocation of €431.3 million.

The full year cost of increasing the weekly rate of jobseeker’s allowance for those aged 18 to 25 years of age by €30 per week is €29 million in 2019. This includes the cost of increasing the weekly increase for qualified adults on the €107.70 rate up the maximum weekly increase for a qualified adult rate of €131.40 per week.

The full year cost of extending the duration of the fuel allowance season by four weeks, from 27 weeks to 31 weeks, is €34.32 million.

It should be noted that all of these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019.

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (2476)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

2476. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for jobseeker's allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); if they will be approved for a basic social welfare payment or equivalent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33156/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned made a number of applications for Jobseekers Allowance: on 20 January 2017, 3 April 2017 and 20 April 2017. All were disallowed for a number of reasons.

The person concerned made an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) 21 December 2017. At the first meeting, the person was asked to provide documentation to enable a decision to be made. These document were not provided. This application for SWA was disallowed on 13 March 2018 as she had failed to provide the documentation requested and to demonstrate how she had maintained herself from December 2016 to date.

She made a further application for Jobseekers Allowance on 14 December 2017. A decision has not yet been made on this entitlement, as documentation requested to make a decision is still outstanding.

She made a further application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance on 5 July 2018. On 11 July 2018 the person was informed that this application was disallowed on the grounds that she had not provide the documentation requested and to demonstrate how she had maintained herself from December 2016 to date.

She was informed that if she was not satisfied with this decision, she could seek a review or appeal the decision, but she has not done so to date.

In the meantime, the person was paid a number of Exceptional Needs Payments.

Social Welfare Benefits Payments

Ceisteanna (2477)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

2477. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a basic social welfare payment or carer's payment will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33157/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer'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.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the means of the person concerned must be less than the statutory limit.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

During the course of a review of entitlement, it was discovered that the person concerned had not fully disclosed her means to the Department. The evidence submitted in support of this review was examined and the deciding officer decided that the means of the person concerned exceeds the statutory limit for CA.

The person concerned was notified on 18 April 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

My Department was notified on 29 May 2018 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

A submission in support of the decision is being prepared and will shortly be forwarded along with the file to the SWAO for determination.

If the circumstances of the person concerned have changed it is open to them to re-apply for CA on form CR1 which I have arranged to issue to them.

In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Citizens Information Services Review

Ceisteanna (2478)

John Curran

Ceist:

2478. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on the restructuring of MABS and CIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33187/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The executive of the Citizens Information Board (CIB) is implementing the decision of the Board of CIB to reorganise the governance arrangements of ninety three individual local company boards, comprising 42 Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 51 Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS), to a new regionally based sixteen company model, comprising eight CIS and eight MABS companies.

The first phase of the implementation process completed on 16 April, 2018, has seen the establishment of 6 new companies - 3 CIS and 3 MABS, in North Leinster (comprising Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Kildare), South Munster (Cork and Kerry) and Dublin South.

All staff, assets and liabilities of the 38 local companies involved in this phase have transferred to the 6 new companies. Induction training for the 6 Regional Managers and governance training for the new Board members has been provided. 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 involving the remaining 55 companies is now underway and will result in the establishment of a further 10 regional companies - 5 CIS and 5 MABS. Similar to the arrangements which were put in place for the first phase, CIB organised information sessions for managers and board representatives on the implementation plan and the liquidation process and will continue to support each of the local companies and their Chairpersons and Boards throughout the transition process.

Recruitment of 10 Regional Managers has been completed and the recruitment of Directors for the regional boards is underway. As with Phase 1, appropriate training and guidance will be provided for staff and board members.

CIB remains committed to providing the highest quality of service and to the further development of CIS and MABS services for the citizens who rely on them.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (2479)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

2479. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the report submitted recently relative to an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) will be considered as a matter of urgency; and if a request for an oral hearing will be expedited. [33189/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

This lady was notified on 9 July 2018 that her domiciliary care allowance was awarded on appeal from 1 October 2016. Arrears due for this period will issue on 17 July 2018 along with her July monthly payment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.