Written Answers Nos. 1065-1088
1065. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has been in contact with the union representing the workers of a company (details supplied); the position in this situation; and if progress has been made in finding a fair solution for the staff of the company. [8358/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to say that my thoughts are with all Debenhams workers who are dealing with job losses at this difficult time. As deputies are well aware, with the exception of grocery outlets, the retail sector has been particularly affected by the economic turmoil caused by Covid-19. Having come through a number of turbulent years and an examinership process, it is regrettable that the Debenhams workers now face redundancy.
I want to assure everybody that the my Department is assisting the affected workers through its Intreo service to help them in whatever way we can in terms of income supports and job-seeking over the coming weeks and months. Indeed over the past number of weeks officials from my Department have engaged with both officials from Mandate and with the Human Resource management team in Debenhams to ensure that all workers have received their due entitlements from my Department.
My officials are also available to assist these workers in the job search efforts over the period ahead and with advice on further education and training options that will help them to find work within their sector or in other sectors where work opportunities will become available as the economy improves over the period ahead.
Furthermore, the redundancy and insolvency section of my Department has already engaged with the liquidators appointed to Debenhams and is continuing to work with them to ensure that all claims in respect of employees are dealt with expeditiously.
Since the announcement of the liquidation of Debenhams there have been calls on the Government to intervene in or halt the liquidation of the company and to ensure that employees of Debenhams receive enhanced redundancy payments. Employee representatives have also called for the 30 day mandatory consultation period to be extended.
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation has been clear that she, as the Minister responsible for company law legislation, has no statutory power to intervene in a court supervised liquidation. A company is permitted to initiate a voluntary winding up where it has complied with requirements of the Companies Act 2014.
There has been significant correspondence with the union Mandate in relation to the liquidation of Debenhams Retail Ireland. I want to reiterate how I understand and admire Mandate's determination to get a redundancy package for their members that is just and equitable.
I have been asked by the Mandate Trade Union to utilise my powers in accordance with Section 15 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977. In this regard, I sought urgent legal advice from the Attorney General in relation to those powers as they pertain to a court appointed liquidator. I received those advices yesterday and they are unequivocal.
I am advised that I, as Minister, cannot exercise the powers in section 15 because those powers envisage engagement only with the employer. As is clear from the statutory definition, a liquidator is not an employer for the purposes of this Act. Therefore, there is no possibility of using the section 15 mechanism as suggested.
While we do not have the power to ensure that Debenhams pay an enhanced redundancy package to its employees, an employer is obliged to pay the statutory redundancy entitlement as provided for in the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 and that is all that can be legally enforced against an employer. As the company has been declared insolvent, the Department can provide a safety net for employees and the liquidator can submit claims for statutory redundancy and other wage related entitlements for payment from the Social Insurance Fund. We will ensure that the statutory redundancy entitlement which is laid out in legislation will be paid.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1066. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an increased payment can be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8398/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a successful appeal the person concerned was awarded a reduced rate of disability allowance (DA) with effect from 11 November 2015.
A review can be requested by the person concerned by writing directly to the DA section outlining the reasons for the request. On submission of this request this lady's means will be re-examined.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1067. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a review application for carer’s benefit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8418/20]
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 8 April 2020.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
I am advised that the evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care and attention was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 30 April 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 20 May 2020 and submitted additional evidence in support of their application.
The review is on-going and once complete the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1068. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8471/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady on 6 March 2020.
On 24 March 2020 and the 24 April 2020 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility.
A further information request was sent to this lady on 13 May 2020. On receipt of this information a decision will be made on her DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1069. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an extension will be given to those in receipt of jobseeker's benefit before Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in view of the fact that there were limited opportunities to secure work during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8492/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main income supports, excluding the emergency time-limited Pandemic Unemployment Payment, offered by my Department for people who have lost employment are the social insurance contribution based jobseekers benefit and means tested jobseekers allowance schemes.
Jobseekers benefit is a statutory scheme which is paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and is paid for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid. Where a person exhausts their claim for jobseekers benefit or they do not meet the contribution requirement they may apply for means-tested jobseekers allowance.
Any adjustments to the duration of jobseekers benefit would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. I trust that this clarifies the position.
1070. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who was laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic can continue to remain on the pandemic unemployment payment despite the person's employer reopening in order that the person can continue to provide essential childcare in the family home in view of the fact crèches, schools and other childcare facilities remain closed; the steps being taken to help families in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8511/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business sets out how COVID 19 restrictions will gradually be lifted. As different parts of the economy open at different times, I am aware of the fact that schools and creches have not yet re-opened and may cause some obstacles for workers with childcare responsibilities.
The Government has requested employers to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff time off to look after their children or other members of their families. Some of the flexible options include offering paid compassionate leave, allowing employees to work from home, altering shifts so that employees can coordinate caring between themselves and partners or another person, allowing employees to rearrange holidays and allowing employees to take paid time off that can be worked back at a later time.
Where it is not possible to make appropriate compassionate leave arrangements, employees may be able to call on some statutory entitlements including force majeure leave, parental leave together with parental benefit or carers leave together with carers benefit or carers allowance.
If a person has left work to care for a child because of school or childcare closures and the employer is no longer paying the person’s wages, they may qualify for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
1071. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options available in terms of social welfare support to a person who is in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and can only return to self-employment on a part-time basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8512/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in March 2020 as a time-limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. For self-employed people, they must have experienced a collapse of income and be available to take up other full-time work if it was available to them in order to qualify.
Where a self-employed person does not qualify for this emergency payment they can apply for a jobseekers payment. Jobseekers benefit (self-employed) was one of the measures I introduced in late 2019 which is available for self-employed people who have ceased trading. If a person’s business is operating at a reduced level they may be eligible to apply for support under the means tested jobseekers allowance scheme.
The Government recognises that the COVID 19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for businesses. My colleague, the Minister for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has introduced a range of supports and guidance for businesses available on that Department's website at www.dbei.gov.ie. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, administered by the Revenue Commissioners is available to employers who keep employees on the payroll throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, so that employers can retain links with employees for when business picks up after the crisis.
Where a person is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support through the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
I trust that this clarifies the situation.
1072. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1258, 1259 and 1260 of 20 May 2020, when a cheque will issue to the person (details supplied). [8515/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the person concerned applied for assistance with the cost of repairing her heating system and a cheque for €760 was issued to her by my Department for the cost of this work. The cheque which was issued to the person concerned was made payable to the repair company which she identified to undertake the work, but it was returned uncashed by her with an indication that the Company involved was not now in a position to undertake the work.
It is open to the person concerned to submit a new application for assistance and this will be considered. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned does not currently have a pending application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1073. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the situation being faced by the former workers of a company (details supplied) who are awaiting redundancy payments after being laid off prior to the Covid-19 crisis and are facing the issue of their former employer cutting off all contact with former staff including their elected employee representative committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8520/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to say that my thoughts are with all workers faced with the prospect of closure and job losses at this difficult time. I wish to assure the affected workers that my Department is available through its Intreo service to assist them in whatever way we can in terms of income supports and job-seeking over the coming weeks and months.
My Department received official notification of the proposed collective redundancies from the employer in this case in a letter dated 28th February 2020, in accordance with their obligations under the Protection of Employment Act 1977. Employers are also obliged under sections 9 and 10 of that Act to engage in an information and consultation process with employees’ representatives and to provide certain information relating to the proposed redundancies. Section 11A of the Act provides that, where an employee believes the employer to be in breach of sections 9 or 10, they may pursue a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
It is the responsibility of the employer in the first instance to pay statutory redundancy entitlements to eligible employees. If an employer refuses to pay a redundancy lump sum to an employee or if there is any dispute about the redundancy, the mechanism available to the employee is to bring a claim to the WRC for a determination by an adjudication officer.
The WRC is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. The employees in this case should contact the Customer Service section of the WRC, who operate a telephone helpline at 1890 808090, in relation to their concerns or complaints regarding their employment rights. The Customer Service section can provide further information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate.
1074. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8548/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1075. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures being considered to address the issue of employees returning to employment from maternity leave who do not meet the criteria for the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8550/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform has confirmed that a change to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme will be made to accommodate the salaries of those who have returned to work after a period of maternity leave and who may not have been on the payroll of their employer on 29 February, or been paid in either January or February 2020; which are requirements for qualification for the scheme.
My Department continues to provide income support for women who have lost their employment as a consequence of the Pandemic and are unable to return to work at the end of their maternity leave, in the form of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment if they are not receiving any payment from their employer.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
1076. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8551/20]
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 24 September 2019.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
In addition, every applicant for a social welfare payment is required to furnish a deciding officer with such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purpose of deciding a claim.
I advised by my Department that the person concerned did not provide documents that were requested in relation to her means. In addition it was decided that the person being cared for did not require full-time care and attention. Therefore her application for CA was disallowed.
The person concerned was notified on 24 October 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application.
Following this review the decision in relation to the medical has remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified on 7 January 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested an additional review of this decision and submitted additional medical evidence in support of her application.
Following this additional review the decision has remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified on 17 February 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1077. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8552/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 12 February 2020. Under social welfare legislation the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision.
I am advised that the person concerned submitted additional evidence on 6 April 2020 and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his 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.
1078. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8553/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that 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 awarded where domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is in payment.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 28 November 2019.
As DCA was not awarded in respect of the care recipient, the CA application was disallowed. The person concerned was notified on 15 April 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has requested an appeal of the decision and their file was prepared and submitted to the appeals office on 26 May 2020.
Once a decision on the appeal is made, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1079. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8554/20]
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 an application for CA from the person concerned on 12 December 2019.
The application was awarded to the person concerned on 17 February 2020 with effect from 12 December 2019. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on 20 February 2020.
Arrears of allowance due from 12 December 2019 to 19 February 2020 issued on 20 February 2020.
The person concerned was notified on 17 February 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1080. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8555/20]
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 an application for CA from the person concerned on 4 March 2020.
The application was awarded to the person concerned on 17 April 2020 with effect from 5 March 2020. The first payment issued to his nominated bank account on 30 April 2020.
The person concerned was notified on 17 April 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
Arrears of allowance due from 5 March 2020 to 29 April 2020 issued on 23 April 2020.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1081. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if assistance is available for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in addition to the person's disability payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8559/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned has been in receipt of a Disability Allowance, Fuel Allowance and Living Alone Allowance since 1/7/2015. She has also been in receipt of a Telephone Support Allowance since 6/6/2018 and Household Benefits Package, comprising an allowance towards the cost of electricity/gas and free television licence since 1/6/2006. The person concerned has a Free Travel pass.
If the person concerned is having difficulty in meeting her bills, she should contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service where she may be assisted in formulating a payment structure to meet her expenses.
It is also open to the person concerned to contact the Community Welfare Service at the Tallaght Intreo Centre to seek assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (Supplements) Scheme. Under SWA, my Department can make a single Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. There is no automatic entitlement to these payments which are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case, in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. This service can be contacted by phone at 01 4629400 or by email cwstallaght@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1082. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is due illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8561/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned has been awarded at a rate of €203 from the 30th March 2020. A payment of €1015.00 has issued to her paying her from the start of her claim up to the 10th May 2020, the date on her most recent medical certificate.
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.
An award letter issued to the person concerned on the 25th May 2020 giving her the full details of this decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1083. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff in her Department working in the welfare fraud section; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8563/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to note that the majority of people in receipt of a payment from my Department receive what they are entitled to. Nevertheless, my Department recognises that abuse of the welfare system by a small minority is an ongoing reality and must be tackled. Anti-fraud measures are set out in my Department’s Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2019 – 2023 and are designed to prevent, deter and detect fraud, to ensure effective oversight of schemes, and recovery of any sums overpaid. Recouping monies through our control measures ensures that all of our available resources are targeted to those with a genuine need.
Control and compliance checks are an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the Department. All members of staff involved in the administration of social welfare schemes are acutely aware of the need to implement appropriate eligibility checks at every stage of the lifecycle process of a claim.
Overall, there are in the region of 900 staff members in my Department - out of approx. 6,000 - whose main responsibilities are related to control and compliance work. This includes some 260 social welfare inspectors who are statutorily appointed to investigate and report on claims for benefit/assistance and to carry out employer inspections. In addition, there are 112 trained investigators in the Department's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which includes 21 members of An Garda Siochána who are seconded to the Unit.
The exclusive function of the SIU is to investigate and report on fraud and abuse of social welfare schemes. Officers in the Unit carry out a broad range of liaison, enforcement, investigative and intelligence gathering duties and operate at the high or more organised end of social welfare fraud and abuse. In carrying out a wide range of control activities and projects, the Unit works closely with staff from a number of other compliance and enforcement agencies such as Revenue, the National Employment Rights Authority and the Gardaí.
Additionally, the Deputy should note that control work forms a central part of the work of all staff across the Department, including those who work in support roles such as systems development, IT, financial and corporate management, as well as front-line staff in Intreo Centres and centralised scheme areas. Separately, 64 staff work in the central control area, including 22 staff members who are assigned to overpayment administration and recovery. A further 16 staff deal with client identity services.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1086. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and include those in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8637/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The Government has provided €53.98m for the scheme in 2020 which operates from June to September.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
To qualify for BSCFA a person must meet a number of conditions namely:
- The child must meet the age criteria.
- The applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and getting an increase in that payment for the qualified child (except in certain circumstances) in the period 1 June to 30 September.
- The assessable income for the household must be within prescribed limits.
- The applicant and the child (or children) in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State.
Any changes to amend the eligibility criteria for BSCFA would have to be considered in a budgetary context and within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
Applications which are outside the terms of the BSCFA scheme will not qualify for payment under the BSCFA scheme. However, individuals who are refused a BSCFA payment may be considered for exceptional needs payments (ENP) under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme by the officers administering this scheme in the normal way.
Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an exceptional needs payment should contact the Department’s Community Welfare Service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1087. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the workers brought to Dublin by a company (details supplied) in April 2020 were in receipt of the Covid-19 payment during their two week quarantine as stated by the company in the national media. [8652/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced by my Department in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is an income support payment for both employees and the self-employed who have become fully unemployed due to a downturn in economic activity related to Covid-19. The Covid-19 PUP is payable where a person meeting the qualifying criteria became unemployed on or after 06/03/2020.
A person is eligible to apply for the Covid-19 (PUP) if they:
- are aged between 18 and 66 years old and
- are currently living in the Republic of Ireland and
- have lost their job due to the Covid-19 pandemic or
- have been temporarily laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic and
- worked in the Republic of Ireland or were a cross border frontier worker and
- are not in receipt of any employment income
I am advised that as the workers referred to by the Deputy were not living in the Republic of Ireland and not employed within the State on or after 06/03/2020 they would not have met the eligibility criteria to apply for the Covid-19 PUP during their 2 week quarantine period.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1088. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be allowed to continue on a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8655/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1091. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the contract of a person (details supplied) will be extended in view of the exceptional circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8690/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1088 and 1091 together.
CE is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and others with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring bodies that receive state funding from the Department to cover the cost of CE employee remuneration.
Funding for CE supervisors is available until the person reaches the state pension age and they may remain on CE until the working day before they reach the state pension age as follows:
- 66 for those born before 1 January 1955;
- 67 for those born on or after 1 January 1955; and
- 68 for those born on or after 1 January 1961
CE supervisors may apply for a State Pension on retirement from CE. If they wish to continue to work beyond the state pension age they may apply for positions that are not state funded or, they can apply to the scheme to work in a voluntary capacity.
CE is a working age activation scheme and CE supervisors who continue to be funded through CE must be of working age. As you will appreciate, if my Department continued to fund a CE supervisor that has reached the state pension age it would significantly impact on the opportunities for those people who are still of working age and also, would undermine the reputation of CE as an active labour market programme.
Officials from my Department are actively engaging with the CE sponsoring body in question to support the recruitment of a new CE supervisor.
I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that CE sponsoring bodies provide in running CE schemes throughout the country. CE supervisors, as employees of those organisations, are an integral part of that good work.
