Written Answers Nos. 218-237
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Written Answers Nos. 218-237
218. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if bereavement counselling services for children under 18 years of age who have been affected by the sudden death of a parent can be extended (details supplied). [40426/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency administers funding to support the provision of family counselling services. Tusla provides funding to voluntary organisations offering bereavement counselling and support for the deaths of a family member and loss through parental separation.
Bereavement counselling and supports are not restricted to children of parents who have passed away either by suicide or cancer only.
Tusla is committed to providing support to bereaved children, and with the Irish Hospice Foundation, co-funds the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN). The ICBN aims to increase access to guidance and support services for children and young people by improving the range and the quality of bereavement supports available. The ICBN organises a Bereaved Children's Awareness Week on an annual basis.
My Department and Tusla are committed to protecting vulnerable children and families including supporting those working with grieving children and young people.
219. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if support for youth work and voluntary youth work organisations will be increased in budget 2019 in view of the growing youth population and the fact that youth work funding remains 20% below the level of funding provided in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40486/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding of €58.9m has been made available to my Department in 2018 to administer a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
My Department, along with all government departments, was required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012 – 2014. My Department sought to ensure that front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people, were protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
I am pleased that my Department has increased investment in youth service provision over the past number of years with an increase in current funding for youth services of €5.5m in 2017 and a further increase of €1.5m in 2018.
My Department has carried out a Value for Money and Policy Review of a number of schemes supporting youth services. This review involved an in-depth scrutiny of the impact youth service provision has on young people’s lives and made a number of recommendations for the future operation of the youth schemes and their development in the years ahead.
I want to streamline the various funding schemes for youth services so that we maximise their benefit and target money to best effect. I have prioritised the work of developing a new integrated funding scheme as recommended by the Value for Money and Policy Review. Consultations with various stakeholders are continuing with a view to introducing this new and fit for purpose youth funding programme as soon as possible.
Finally, I am committed to continuing to seek additional support for youth services and youth organisations in Budget 2019 and beyond.
220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of 22 March 2018, if the evaluation report on the youth employability initiative has been published; if not, when she plans to publish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40487/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the evaluation of the Youth Employability Initiative was useful in informing the members of the Youth Employability Initiative Design and Development Working Group established to assist with the design and development of the Youth Employability Initiative 2018/2019. I expect to announce the details of this Initiative in the coming days.
It is my intention that an executive summary of the final report of the evaluation of the Youth Employability Initiative will be published on the Department's website in the near future.
221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for a further youth employability initiative; the details of the objectives of such a further scheme; the overall funding for same; when it will open for applications and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been provided with funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund for the development of a Youth Employability Initiative. My Department will be announcing details of a needs led Youth Employability Initiative shortly which will focus on providing soft skills to young people to improve their employability.
The specific aim of the initiative will be to target young people between 16 and 24 years of age, with a specific emphasis on those between 16 and 18 years of age who are not currently in employment, education or training in order for them to engage in currently available programmes such as Youth Reach. The ultimate aim is to assist these young people on their progression to employment.
The details of this initiative are currently being finalised and I hope to announce further details in the coming days.
222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions taken to address youth homelessness since 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has ultimate responsibility for managing homelessness, I am committed to helping children and families as part of a whole-of-Government response to the problem of homelessness.
My Department and Tusla have a specific role to play in relation to the wider issue of homelessness. In this regard, the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended), requires Tusla to take reasonable steps to make available accommodation to children who present as homeless, without parents or guardians, and have no accommodation that they can reasonably occupy. In general, these children are taken into the care of Tusla or, in the case of children aged 16 or 17, they may be provided with accommodation under section 5 of the Act.
Where children and young people are homeless as part of a family experiencing homelessness, my Department is working closely with Tusla to provide supports to mitigate the challenges faced by these parents and children. These include the introduction of free childcare for the children of families experiencing homelessness. As part of the scheme a daily meal is provided for each child, the cost of which is included in the subvention rate. The scheme is also designed to help those transitioning from homelessness to permanent accommodation.
Tusla works together with other statutory and voluntary agencies to provide services and supports to children, young people and families experiencing homelessness. Actions taken by Tusla include the provision of funding for child support workers and the appointment of a Homelessness Liaison Officer.
Family Resource Centres, part funded by Tusla, are working with people who are experiencing homelessness and many have developed local responses to the needs of families in emergency accommodation. These include, by way of example, family fun days, homework support, after school programmes, play therapy and transport services.
In recognition of the difficulties associated with homelessness and school attendance, Tusla’s Educational Welfare Service offers a number of supports to children (and families) experiencing homelessness.
Tusla’s joint protocol with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) covers child welfare and protection matters for children in emergency accommodation and is fully operational. A Joint Working Protocol has also been signed between Tusla and Galway City Council. It is intended to replicate this protocol across the State.
The DRHE is coordinating the development of a comprehensive National Quality Standards Framework for homeless services on behalf of all housing authorities. Consultation with service users and key stakeholders, including Tusla, has been undertaken and the draft standards have been piloted in selected services. These standards, including a child safety element which will provide homeless services with a framework for continuous quality improvement, will be implemented nationally.
Funding is in place under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) enabling Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to acquire residential units to accommodate young people exiting State care. My Department has collaborated with Tusla on the development of principles and criteria relating to funding proposals. Where accommodation is provided under CAS, Tusla will provide additional independent living supports, in particular for the most vulnerable Care Leavers, in accordance with the individual’s pre-agreed aftercare plan. Tusla has also redistributed its protocol on young people leaving State care to Housing Authorities. The aim of this protocol is to ensure that the necessary measures are in place to prevent homelessness for young people leaving State care. This will be applied and considered within aftercare steering groups.
It is important to note that Tusla only intervenes in family life in exceptional circumstances. Children who are with their families in emergency accommodation remain in the care of their parents or guardians. Where Tusla has concerns regarding the welfare and development of any child they will provide family supports to assist that family and child.
Ultimately, my concern is that we minimise and then eliminate the problem of homelessness. In the meantime, within my area of responsibility I will continue to support measures to help those affected, to the greatest degree possible.
223. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration will be given to the request of a union (details supplied) for additional investment in the childcare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40559/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the last three budgets (2016, 2017 and 2018), the Government has increased investment in childcare by 85%. This demonstrates Government's commitment to investing in the childcare sector, but, as you will have heard me state many times, it is critical that the Government continues this investment to benefit all children and family types.
It is important that we acknowledge the role played by staff working in the childcare sector. Childcare workers play a critical role in delivering high quality early learning and school age care services and they deserve to be recognised, valued and respected for this. I do however acknowledge that pay and conditions are major issues facing the sector. My Department is engaging with the early years sector to explore how this can be addressed. As one of a number of interventions in this regard, I increased standard and higher capitation rates for ECCE by 7% from September 2018.
It must be noted that my Department is not the employer of childcare workers. However, in terms of improving pay and conditions I have engaged directly with the sector, and have suggested that one approach the sector could consider is applying for a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) through the Labour Court, seeking a recommendation in relation to pay for the whole early years sector.
It should be highlighted that the first ever Independent Review into the Cost of Delivery of Quality Childcare is underway and will inform our future policy decisions in this area. This 'Independent Review of the Cost of Delivering Quality Childcare' is examining the costs faced by childcare providers in delivering quality childcare, including a survey of childcare providers. The review is intended to be used to strengthen the evidence base underpinning future policy development and investment in early years. The Independent Review is a critical input to the on-going reform of childcare in Ireland and is a commitment in the Programme for Government. It is expected that the report from this work, including the cost model and calculator, will be finalised over the coming period.
My Department is working hard to develop the new national Affordable Childcare Scheme and I am pleased to say we are making good progress. The scheme will provide financial support for parents and will establish a sustainable platform for investment in the childcare sector for generations to come.
Legislation establishing the new Affordable Childcare Scheme, the Childcare Support Act 2018, was enacted before the summer recess. This will be underpinned by detailed secondary legislation and formal policy guidelines, both of which are currently in development, along with regulations to provide for the registration of school-age childcare services by Tusla. These regulations will be introduced in advance of the Affordable Childcare Scheme to allow school-age childcare services to register and thereby participate in the scheme from the outset.
The interim measures which I introduced in September 2017 to fast-track some of the benefits of the Affordable Childcare Scheme have already supported more than 84,000 children and will remain in place until the new scheme goes live.
Finally, I intend to seek Government approval shortly for a cross Government, 10 year Early Years Strategy which will have a significant focus on early learning and care and school age childcare. This strategy will set out objectives, strategic actions and deliverables that I hope will result in increased investment in the area, to the benefit of children, families, our society and our economy.
224. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the inequality and injustice experienced by women within the pension system will be addressed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40380/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of payments and pensions paid by my department to people over State pension age. One of these is the State pension (contributory), qualification for which is based on a number of criteria.
As a general policy the Government intends to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to establishing level of entitlement for all new state pension contributory claims from 2020 onwards (TCA2020). I launched a public consultation on this proposal earlier this year in May, which closed last month. The consultation sought input on a range of relevant factors which included the amount of contributions needed for a full rate contributory state pension, the amount of credited contributions a person could avail of, the provision of homecaring periods and whether there would be a "phase-in period" for the changes.
Following examination and consideration of the submissions to the consultation, my officials will prepare proposals for the design of the new approach for consideration by the Government in due course.
In the interim, on 23 January last, this Government agreed to a proposal that will allow pensioners affected by the 2012 changes in rate bands to have their pension entitlement calculated on a Total Contributions basis, including provision for up to 20 years of a new home caring credit.
My Department will be writing to impacted customers in the next two months to explain to them what is happening and how the process of review will work. As I have stated previously, it is planned to commence these reviews before the end of this year, with the first payments being made in the first quarter of 2019, backdated, where relevant, to the end of March 2018, or later where a person attained their 66th birthday since that date.
It is not necessary for people to contact the Department on this matter. Once the legislation is enacted and the systems and processes are ready, my Department will then write again to the people impacted and provide them with the opportunity to have their pension calculation reviewed.
The Deputy should note that for those who do not qualify for the State Pension (contributory) (SPC), because they have paid few or no contributions into the Social Insurance Fund, there are other state pension payments available. Notably, they may qualify for the State Pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate SPC pension.
It’s worth noting that the marriage bar describes a rule that existed in most of the public service, and some private sector employments, where women were required to leave their employment upon marriage. As it was a rule rather than a general legal prohibition against employing married women, they could either return to work or take up other work, and many did. It is also worth remembering that most public servants recruited prior to 1995 are not entitled to the State pension, regardless of gender and marital status. Therefore, the marriage bar would not generally have negatively impacted on State pension entitlement, as they would not have qualified for that payment had they remained in public sector employment. The implications it had for public service pensions are a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
225. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the calculation method for an employee's PRSI contribution for those earning between €352.01 and €424 will be simplified; if the entry level will be increased to €424 in view of the fact that small businesses with few employees are finding it difficult to calculate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40431/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general employees pay PRSI at the Class A rate of 4% of their weekly earnings. For weekly earnings of €352 or less no PRSI is charged. Once weekly earnings exceed €352, Class A PRSI at the rate of 4% is charged on all earnings. Prior to the introduction of the PRSI credit in January 2016, the weekly PRSI charge for employees whose earnings for the first time exceed €352 increased from nil to €14.08. This "step effect" created a significant poverty trap for those who received an increase in their earnings or who increased their engagement in the workforce.
The PRSI credit was introduced in 2016 to address this "step effect" by reducing the weekly PRSI charge from €14.08 to €2.08, at earnings of €352.01. For weekly earnings between €352.01 and €424.00, the maximum weekly PRSI credit of €12 is reduced on a tapered basis. At earnings of €424.01, the credit is exhausted.
The fact that the PRSI credit applies between €352 and €424 means that the measure is targeted at those in the earnings range directly affected by the previous "step effect" and ensures the cost efficiency of the measure. It is estimated that the credit will have a cost of €18.3m in 2019. While it is appreciated that there is a calculation involved in the determination of the level of credit to apply to individual employees, this calculation is fully explained on the Department's website, www.welfare.ie and in the Department's information guides and leaflets.
Increasing the PRSI employee threshold to €424 would lead to the creation of a new "step effect" where no PRSI charge would arise at €424 but an increase in pay would mean a charge of €16.94 would arise. This new, higher, "step effect" would create a new poverty trap which would have to be alleviated by the introduction a new PRSI credit. This would incur further costs to the Social Insurance Fund.
Increasing the employee PRSI threshold to From €352 to €424 would cost €25.8m and affect 102,000 employees.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
226. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, in view of the ongoing housing crisis, changes to the rent-a-room scheme will be considered that would remove the barriers for uptake by which persons with spare bedrooms do not wish to rent them out, as the income generated from doing so would render them ineligible for certain means-tested social welfare payments; the steps she will take to address this anomaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40580/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if changes to the assessment of rental income that is generated under the rent-a-room scheme for the calculation of means in order that it does not impact on means-tested payments will be considered in view of the ongoing housing crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40578/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 253 together.
Social welfare legislation provides that for social assistance schemes, such as jobseeker’s allowance, disability allowance and one-parent family payment, all income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her spouse/partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.
However, in the case of the State Pension (Non-Contributory) and Widow's/Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Non-Contributory), where recipients would otherwise be living alone, social welfare legislation provides that rental income is fully disregarded for means-testing purposes.
For all other social assistance schemes, where an individual is renting part of their family home, the cash value of the rental income is assessed. However, such rental income is reduced by a range of deductions. These include:
i. a proportion of any mortgage interest paid by the claimant on the part of the property rented;
ii. a 15% deduction for voids (i.e. periods when the accommodation is vacant between lettings); and,
iii. if the rooms let are furnished, a 5% deduction for wear and tear.
In this regard, the cash value of any rental income is not assessed in full, as at least 20% of such income is disregarded.
Fully disregarding all rental income would run contrary to the policy of ensuring that social welfare expenditure is targeted to those who need it the most. It could also potentially negatively impact on the incentive to work for working age recipients.
Any change to my Department’s means assessment policies would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
227. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will re-examine the employment Bill 2017 (details supplied); her views on whether the increased threat of criminal prosecution to employers in this Bill is appropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40366/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the criminal sanction, the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 introduces an offence for an employer who fails to provide the statement of five core terms of employment required within one month of commencement of employment. It will also be an offence for an employer who deliberately or recklessly provides false or misleading information to an employee as part of this statement of core terms of employment. It is important to state that the Bill also provides for appropriate defences for employers.
The purpose of creating this offence provision is to promote better work practices and provide greater clarity around the essential elements of the employment relationship for both the employer and the employee. At the start of the employment relationship, every employee should be entitled to know basic information such as who his/her employer is, how much s(he) will get paid and what the employer reasonably expects the normal length of the working day and working week will be. I genuinely believe that it should not be difficult for employers to provide this information.
Following a public consultation, the Government decided the core terms of employment that should be provided to employees very early in the employment relationship – on or by Day Five. The remainder of the required terms of employment will continue to be provided within the current two month period. If the employer still has not provided the statement of core terms after a month of employment it will become an offence.
However, prosecution will be the ultimate sanction. The WRC will first seek the compliance of the employer on a voluntary basis. Furthermore, the Bill also provides for fixed payment notices as an alternative to prosecution and such notices may be issued by WRC inspectors in lieu of prosecution for less egregious offences.
In relation to the proposal to require employers to offer any surplus hours to existing part-time employees, I should point out that this provision was included in the Bill as a result of an opposition amendment introduced at Committee Stage. Several employer representative bodies raised difficulties that could arise if this provision remained part of the Bill. I introduced an amendment at Report Stage to have the provision deleted from the Bill and this amendment was passed by the Dáil.
The Bill completed Report and Final Stage in the Dáil on 12th July 2018. However, I am concerned that the Bill as amended at Report Stage in the Dáil includes provisions which have the potential to significantly delay the progress of the Bill. This is because one opposition amendment in particular, which deals with false self-employment, could have far reaching implications for a broad range of stakeholders and needs to be subject to a thorough scrutiny and consultation process.
228. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) are not entitled to the fuel allowance; her plans to change same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40367/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 27 weeks (a total of €607.50 each year) from October to April, to over 368,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance at an estimated cost of €182 million in 2018.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested. DCA is not a primary Social Protection payment and people in receipt of DCA can be in full time employment. Therefore DCA itself is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. However, income from DCA is disregarded for the purpose of calculating entitlement to fuel allowance and does not prevent a person in receipt of a qualifying payment from receiving fuel allowance.
Carers allowance and carers benefit are not qualifying payments for fuel allowance in their own right. However, where a person is in receipt of carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit in respect of a caree who is in receipt of a qualifying payment such as Disability Allowance or a State pension - or their spouse/partner/child - it does not preclude one of them from receiving a fuel allowance in respect of that household, and the income from the carers payment is disregarded for means test purposes.
The Government values the role of carers very much and it is for this reason that they receive significant income supports from the Department. In addition to carer’s allowance, carers receive additional support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care) and the annual respite care grant in respect of each person for whom they care.
If a person is getting certain qualifying social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, they can keep their main social welfare payment and get the half-rate carer's allowance as well. They can also receive an extra half-rate carer’s allowance if they care for more than one person. From October 2013 onwards, the payment of half-rate carer’s allowance does not preclude a person from qualifying for fuel allowance. If a person is in receipt of a non-contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate carer’s allowance, then they are deemed to have satisfied the means test and fuel allowance is payable subject to all remaining criteria being satisfied. If a person is in receipt of a contributory social welfare payment and a half-rate carer’s allowance then they will have to undergo a means test for fuel allowance.
Any decision to amend the criteria for receiving fuel allowance would have to be considered in overall policy and budgetary contexts.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
229. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to resolve the dispute between her Department and general practitioners over the recently introduced revised forms regarding illness benefit applications; if mediation has been offered to address the issue; if discussions are being held with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40373/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of its ongoing modernisation programme, the Department upgraded the Illness Benefit (IB) computer system. Part of that upgrade included redesigning the application form and medical certificate so they could be scanned into the computer system, thereby speeding up payments for customers and GPs alike.
My Department always endeavours to consult with stakeholders before making changes. On this occasion, we consulted with the Irish Medical Organization (IMO) - a longstanding representative body with a broad range of GPs in its membership. In addition, the Department has written to all contracting GPs, setting out the changes involved and will continue to communicate with all panel-holders as the new system beds in.
I want to assure the Deputy that we will continue to consult with the IMO under our Framework Agreement on a range of issues, including e-certification, closed certification and changes to forms.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
230. Deputy Tom Neville 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. [40382/18]
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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I confirm that my Department received applications for CA from the person concerned on 12 June 2018 in respect of two care recipients.
Additional information was requested on 7 September 2018, however, while some of the documents requested were returned, others remain outstanding.
On 24 September 2018 a second information request issued.
Once this information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
231. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that when a social welfare recipient is transitioning from jobseeker's payment to a VTOS scheme, he or she is required to pay a back week and therefore does not get paid for the first week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40385/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, which is run by the Department of Education and Skills, is operated through the Educational and Training Boards (ETBs). VTOS is aimed in particular at unemployed people who are early school leavers and to prepare them to gain employment or engage in further educational opportunities.
In general, VTOS participants who move from a jobseekers scheme receive a VTOS payment paid at the same rate as their jobseekers payment. Jobseekers is generally payable on a Tuesday or Wednesday and on transferring to VTOS, will be paid on the following Friday week.
Any one experiencing financial hardship as a result of the change in these payment arrangements are advised to contact their local Community Welfare Service. If the Deputy has a particular case, he should provide the individual's details to my Department so that we ensure that the appropriate payments are in place.
232. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a review in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40387/18]
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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Under social welfare legislation, CA for the care of a care recipient who is aged less than 16 years can only be successful where domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is awarded.
An application for carer's allowance was received from the person concerned on 24 February 2017.
As DCA was not awarded in respect of the care recipient, the application was disallowed. The person concerned was notified on 29 May 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Following a successful DCA appeal, the person concerned requested a review of this decision.
Carer's allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 2 October 2018, with effect from 2 March 2017, and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 11 October 2018.
Arrears of allowance due from 2 March 2017 to 10 October 2018 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 2 October 2018 of this revised decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
233. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an illness benefit payment will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40465/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent weeks, the Department experienced some delays following the introduction of a new system for Illness Benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department which took effect from Monday 6th August. Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date which the Department has, to date, continued to accept in the interest of paying our customers.
The claim from the person concerned has been processed and he is in receipt of his full entitlement under the Illness Benefit Scheme and any/all arrears owing to him have been issued.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
234. 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. [40471/18]
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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 23 April 2018.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim and attend at such office or place as an officer may direct.
As the person concerned has failed to provide financial statements, the deciding officer has decided that she is not entitled to CA.
The person concerned was notified on 3 September 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
A review of this decision was requested on 6 September 2018.
The review 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.
235. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a back to work enterprise allowance claim by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40476/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme (BTWEA) is to encourage people who are unemployed, lone parents, people with disabilities and other social welfare customers to become self-employed and, ultimately, to no longer be dependent on welfare.
The BTWEA scheme conditions specify that the person applying for the allowance should have a sufficiently large and diverse customer base, and that a business that comprises of sub-contracting, particularly in the construction section where the subcontractor is likely to have only one customer i.e. the principal contractor to whom they are contracted, is not eligible.
The client base of a new enterprise may be difficult to establish on awarding a new claim for BTWEA. In this case the person in question confirmed in his business plan that he was targeting a good customer base of home owners and builders primarily in Dublin and the West of Ireland.
Following an examination of the BTWEA claim of the person concerned by a Case Officer in August 2018, the person's claim was terminated as the Case Officer determined on the basis of all available evidence that the self-employment in question is based on sub-contracting from one main contractor only.
Following a subsequent review of the claim in September 2018 the decision to disallow the BTWEA claim was upheld.
236. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit and signing for credits for 12 months or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40490/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra237. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 26 years of age in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit and signing for credits for six months by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40491/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.
The Information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
||||
|
County |
<3mths |
3-6mths |
6-12mths |
> 12 Mths |
|
Carlow |
105 |
58 |
92 |
166 |
|
Cavan |
76 |
62 |
80 |
182 |
|
Clare |
118 |
63 |
99 |
166 |
|
Cork |
365 |
221 |
312 |
523 |
|
Donegal |
273 |
166 |
250 |
447 |
|
Dublin |
1,238 |
729 |
1,055 |
1,690 |
|
Galway |
173 |
110 |
193 |
346 |
|
Kerry |
146 |
78 |
132 |
209 |
|
Kildare |
160 |
115 |
205 |
249 |
|
Kilkenny |
62 |
50 |
81 |
129 |
|
Laois |
90 |
87 |
111 |
214 |
|
Leitrim |
50 |
26 |
40 |
70 |
|
Limerick |
242 |
155 |
235 |
469 |
|
Longford |
89 |
37 |
66 |
140 |
|
Louth |
226 |
141 |
198 |
311 |
|
Mayo |
98 |
78 |
122 |
218 |
|
Meath |
98 |
70 |
105 |
204 |
|
Monaghan |
55 |
42 |
60 |
79 |
|
Offaly |
119 |
90 |
112 |
215 |
|
Roscommon |
42 |
44 |
53 |
118 |
|
Sligo |
78 |
45 |
78 |
102 |
|
Tipperary |
244 |
160 |
231 |
403 |
|
Waterford |
186 |
138 |
148 |
273 |
|
Westmeath |
151 |
80 |
131 |
233 |
|
Wexford |
211 |
143 |
214 |
412 |
|
Wicklow |
105 |
73 |
97 |
194 |
|
Credits Only |
||||
|
County |
<3mths |
3-6mths |
6-12mths |
>12Mths |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|||
|
Cavan |
||||
|
Clare |
2 |
|||
|
Cork |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Dublin |
15 |
6 |
11 |
3 |
|
Galway |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Kerry |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
Kildare |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
1 |
||
|
Laois |
1 |
|||
|
Leitrim |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Limerick |
||||
|
Longford |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Mayo |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Meath |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|||
|
Offaly |
3 |
2 |
||
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|||
|
Sligo |
||||
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|
|
Waterford |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
1 |
||
|
Wexford |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
