Tuesday, 11 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 531-547

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (531)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

531. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will be awarded carer’s allowance. [51802/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

As a result of an Appeals Officer’s decision, carer's allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 5 December 2018 with effect from 20 July 2017. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 13 December 2018.

Arrears for the period 20 July 2017 to 12 December 2018 along with the 2018 carer's support grant will also issue on 13 December 2018.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 5 December 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (532)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

532. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on a partial capacity benefit in conjunction with an illness benefit application by a person (details supplied). [51811/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Partial Capacity Benefit claim for the person concerned has been processed at the rate of "Moderate" meaning she will receive 50% of her personal rate  of Illness Benefit.  All arrears owing to this customer have been issued.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

JobPath Data

Ceisteanna (533)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

533. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that have been activated to work through the JobPath programme since its foundation, by county, in tabular form. [51816/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) provides a range of activation supports catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. These supports include the JobPath service. 

JobPath is an employment service, which helps long-term unemployed people to secure and sustain paid employment. The service was launched in 2015 on a ‘rolling basis’ with referral numbers gradually increasing over time

There are two phases to the service.  During the first phase, of 12 months duration, a personal advisor (PA) provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment.  The second phase starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work.  During this phase the PA continues to work with the client for a further period of up to 12 months.  In addition to the two phases jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months.

To date, just over 195,000 clients have commenced their engagement period with the service as set out in the table below

The department is undertaking an econometric review of this strand of its activation services.  Completion of the review is provisionally scheduled for the end of 2018, following which more detailed and robust statistics will be available.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Clients engaged with JobPath - July 2015 - October 2018

County	Number of   Clients Engaged With JobPath. July 2015 - October 2018
Carlow	4486
Cavan	4369
Clare	4675
Cork	17324
Donegal	10045
Dublin	39004
Galway	8703
Kerry	6688
Kildare	8044
Kilkenny	3851
Laois	4449
Leitrim	1842
Limerick	9489
Longford	3952
Louth	8340
Mayo	5961
Meath	4157
Monaghan	2622
Offaly	5290
Roscommon	1789
Sligo	3029
Tipperary	8433
Waterford	6871
Westmeath	6543
Wexford	9387
Wicklow	5755
Grand Total	195098

Clients engaged with JobPath July 2015 - October 2018 and Employment Details.

County	Number of   Clients Engaged With JobPath. July 2015 - October 2018	Clients who have commenced Full time employment	Clients who have commenced Part time employment	Total
Carlow	4486	1081	105	1186
Cavan	4369	716	171	887
Clare	4675	983	93	1076
Cork	17324	3918	364	4282
Donegal	10045	1231	383	1614
Dublin	39004	7230	691	7921
Galway	8703	1549	164	1713
Kerry	6688	1723	210	1933
Kildare	8044	2068	273	2341
Kilkenny	3851	969	70	1039
Laois	4449	909	104	1013
Leitrim	1842	316	48	364
Limerick	9489	2289	150	2439
Longford	3952	698	140	838
Louth	8340	1545	239	1784
Mayo	5961	721	74	795
Meath	4157	678	69	747
Monaghan	2622	502	150	652
Offaly	5290	1125	186	1311
Roscommon	1789	257	30	287
Sligo	3029	475	81	556
Tipperary	8433	1772	280	2052
Waterford	6871	1538	195	1733
Westmeath	6543	1140	326	1466
Wexford	9387	2206	335	2541
Wicklow	5755	1108	173	1281
Grand Total	195098	38747	5104	43851

Treatment Benefit Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (534)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

534. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have availed of the treatment benefit scheme since its extension to the self-employed, by county, in tabular form. [51818/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The information requested is set out in the table following.  However, it should be noted that while the scheme was extended to cover self-employed contributors in March 2017, the information break down requested is only available from the beginning of 2018.  The claims relating to the earlier period, March to October 2017 were processed on an old system, which did not support this reporting requirement.

TB self empl stats 1/1/18 to 30/11/18		Dental	Medical Appliance	Optical	Total
Carlow		1318	46	912	2276
Cavan		1973	67	1141	3181
Clare		2965	107	1951	5023
Cork		17913	467	9191	27571
Donegal		4052	91	1865	6008
Dublin		25641	839	18083	44563
Galway		7014	175	3579	10768
Kerry		5101	170	2862	8133
Kildare		4390	160	3079	7629
Kilkenny		2917	98	1707	4722
Laois		1569	70	961	2600
Leitrim		1058	26	490	1574
Limerick		4930	131	2374	7435
Longford		1336	21	654	2011
Louth		2302	86	1629	4017
Mayo		4221	128	2213	6562
Meath		4179	148	2765	7092
Monaghan		1198	58	1114	2370
Offaly		1695	64	1167	2926
No County Held		340	11	202	553
Roscommon		1545	47	1009	2601
Sligo		1671	53	1018	2742
Tipperary		4830	136	3124	8090
Waterford		3524	95	1602	5221
Westmeath		2375	78	1374	3827
Wexford		3847	148	2055	6050
Wicklow		3888	136	2324	6348
		117792	3656	70445	191893

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Invalidity Pension

Ceisteanna (535)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

535. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to allow persons on invalidity pension to work for rehabilitative purposes without the need to transfer across to the partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51874/18]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Invalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and is not means tested. To qualify for award of Invalidity Pension a claimant must satisfy both PRSI contribution and medical conditions.

Invalidity Pension is for people who are permanently incapable of work and is generally paid to pension age. To qualify for Invalidity Pension a person must have an incapacity for work of such a nature that the likelihood is that the claimant will be incapable of work for life, or an incapacity which has existed for 12 months prior to the date of claim, and where the Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the claimant is likely to be unable to work for 1 year from the date of claim.

Where a person with a disability wishes to return to work they may apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB).   PCB allows people to continue to receive a percentage of their Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension payment while working. Participation on the PCB scheme is voluntary. A person who participates on the PCB scheme may return to an Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension payment if, for example, the employment ceases or if the person cannot continue to work.

It is not intended to change the Invalidity Pension payment to remove the requirement to apply for Partial Capacity Benefit where persons wish to take up paid employment.

JobPath Data

Ceisteanna (536, 537, 539)

John Brady

Ceist:

536. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of part-time or underemployed workers that have been referred to JobPath since its introduction. [51875/18]

John Brady

Ceist:

537. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for a new JobPath scheme in 2019; her further plans for setting up similar schemes from 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51876/18]

John Brady

Ceist:

539. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons to date who have found employment through the JobPath service; the number of persons now claiming social welfare payments having previously taken up employment through the JobPath service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51878/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 536, 537 and 539 together.

My Department provides a range of activation supports to enable persons in receipt of a jobseeker's payment, including people who are also in part-time employment, to move to full-time employment with a sustainable income.  These supports include the JobPath Service, which was launched in July 2015.

JobPath provides an intensive personal service which focuses on the skills and experience of each person.  In the case of clients already in part-time employment this would, in the first instance, focus on any options to increase the level of employment in their current role.  If that is not possible the client would be encouraged to explore other opportunities including other full-time job opportunities with different employers.

To date, just over 195,000 clients have commenced their engagement period with the service . As of end October 2018, 24,185 clients who are working part-time have engaged with the service.

At present, a full econometric evaluation of the service is being conducted in conjunction with the OECD.  The results of this econometric evaluation, which will provide detailed and robust statistics, will inform my Department's consideration of any future developments in this area.

Local Employment Service

Ceisteanna (538)

John Brady

Ceist:

538. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of job starts commenced through the local employment service in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. [51877/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Department contracts for the provision of the local employment service (LES) with 22 local development/community companies. The LES have been engaged to deliver services to two client groups: unemployed jobseekers referred for activation by the Department and ‘other’ client groups, who attend the service voluntarily.  The ‘other’ client  group include people who have a disability, lone parents, early school leavers, qualified adults, non-Live Register returners (previously women returners), ex-offenders, members of the travelling community, long term unemployed (LTU) refugees and low income small holders. 

In 2016, LES providers were asked to increase the frequency with which they engage with activation jobseekers to enhance the quality of the services they provide. To facilitate this more intensive engagement, the Department began to reduce the number of people referred to the LES so as to achieve and maintain a maximum caseload 120:1 per case officer.

The LES were also requested to increase the time they allocate to work with each individual jobseeker and in 2017 set engagement patterns were introduced so that a LES case officer with 101-120 clients would be expected to have monthly meetings with the clients, 81-100 clients every three weeks and 80 or fewer client every two weeks.

The following table below shows the number of activation clients and ‘other’ clients notified as commencing employment of 30+ hours per week in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018.

	Number of Activation Clients notified as being in employment of 30+   hours per week.	Number of Activation ‘other’ clients notified as being in employment   of 30+ hours per week
2016	7,458*	1,153
2017	4,923*	991
To date 2018	4,800*	973

*Unlike JobPath there is no requirement for the client to be 'off benefit' in order to qualify as a placement.

Question No. 539 answered with Question No. 536.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (540)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

540. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has formally met with her UK counterpart to discuss Brexit and its impact on east-west reciprocal arrangements and all other Brexit related matters that fall within the remit of her Department; the number of times they have formally met to discuss Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51886/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship, both of which were endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, were conducted on behalf of the EU27 by the EU's Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and the Commission's Article 50 Taskforce.

Brexit is a priority issue for the Government, and a number of key decisions have been taken on measures to support East-West trade, that include staffing, ICT and infrastructure measures to implement checks and controls at our ports and borders. The Government also provided dedicated Brexit support measures in Budgets 2017, 2018, and 2019 to support businesses.

My key area of interest is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes and child benefit between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland.

I met with the then UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Right Honourable Esther McVey, on 23 April 2018. We agreed on our objective in ensuring that the reciprocity of social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the CTA, are safeguarded and maintained.

I have a dedicated team in my Department which is conducting a deep analysis of scenarios on a scheme by scheme basis and contingency planning is on-going for all outcomes.

Working Family Payment

Ceisteanna (541)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

541. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive working family payment arrears; and when the new payment will issue. [52002/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.

An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 19 October 2018. 

The applicant has been awarded WFP with effect from 27 September 2018 to 25 September 2019.

The first weekly payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 13 December 2018.  Arrears owing  in respect of their last  WFP claim will also issue on this date.  Any arrears owing in respect of their current WFP claim will be issued shortly.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 10 December 2018 and of their right of review and appeal.

  I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (542)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

542. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive illness benefit. [52003/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned has been processed and all arrears due have been issued.

The claim is medically certified up to the 9th December 2018 and paid up to the 8th December 2018.  

If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Ceisteanna (543)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

543. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [52005/18]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The department received a claim for IP for the lady concerned on 18 September 2018.  In order to establish whether the medical and contribution conditions for IP are satisfied in this case, the Department sent two forms to the lady on 06 December 2018.  On receipt of the completed forms the claim will be processed as quickly as possible and she will be notified directly of the outcome. The lady concerned is in receipt of the means-tested Disability Allowance from this department since 27 September 2017. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (544)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

544. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will have illness benefit issued. [52006/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is both medically certified and paid up to the 11th December 2018.

Payment for the claim has been nominated by the person concerned to his employer.

If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Parking Provision

Ceisteanna (545)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

545. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of car parking spaces provided for staff working within Dublin, Limerick and Cork cities and to agencies therein. [52012/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I understand that an Official from my Department has spoken with the Deputy's office in this regard. The Department is compiling the information required to answer this PQ. The information will be provided to the Deputy separately once compiled.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Ceisteanna (546)

James Browne

Ceist:

546. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a person (details supplied) and the refusal of an application for invalidity pension with particular reference to the person’s debilitating autoimmune disorder which renders her unable to work; if the case and the need to regularise social welfare payments will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52021/18]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The department received a claim for IP for the lady concerned on 15 December 2010.  Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.  She was notified on the 27 October 2011 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal. She did not seek an appeal of the disallowance decision.  It is open to her to submit a new application for IP to the Department.

Illness Benefit (IB) is a payment made to insured people who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. The lady in question is in receipt of continuous duration IB. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Ceisteanna (547)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

547. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 679 of 4 December 2018, if an application for backdated illness benefit for the years 2015 to 2017 will be awarded to a person (details supplied). [52022/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

An application was received from the person concerned on the 15th February 2018 claiming Illness Benefit from the 1st September 2015.  

Under the Social Welfare (Bilateral Agreement with the United Kingdom and Social Security) Order 2007 the regulations state that the country in which  a person was last insurably employed is responsible for the claim.

As the person concerned was last insurably employed in Jersey in 2015 the claim is proper to Jersey and my Department's EU Records section has forwarded the claim to the appropriate authorities there.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.