Tuesday, 23 Jun 2020

Written Answers Nos. 787-806

Back to Education Allowance

Ceisteanna (787, 827, 828, 829)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

787. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the application process will open for the back to education allowance. [11671/20]

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

827. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for the back to education allowance received from 1 March 2020 to 1 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11975/20]

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

828. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on conducting a review of the back to education allowance with a view to removing qualifying time criteria for those in receipt of Covid-19 related payments. [11976/20]

Peter Burke

Ceist:

829. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered amending the criteria for the back to education allowance to allow for the pandemic unemployment payment to be considered as a qualifying payment in relation to eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11999/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 787 and 827 to 829, inclusive, together.

The back to education allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments that pursue courses of education at second or third level. The main focus of the BTEA is to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and improve their prospects of gaining employment.

In June 2020 there were approximately 6,300 students in receipt of the BTEA. Applications for BTEA are accepted throughout the year, however they tend to coincide with the commencement of the academic year. The vast majority of applications are received during August and September each year.

It is expected that, during the course of the accelerated Roadmap to recovery, as many people as possible in receipt of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment will return to employment prior to the commencement of the 2020/21 academic year. At the point of commencement of a new course of education a person previously in receipt of this payment will be required to establish an entitlement to a Jobseekers payment to qualify for the BTEA .

A potential BTEA customer will not be adversely effected by time spent in receipt of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment when it comes to calculating the qualifying period for BTEA.

The conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to ensure that they address the objective of supporting longer term social welfare customers into employment. Any changes to the BTEA qualifying payments criteria would need to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Ceisteanna (788)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

788. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those previously earning a salary under €200 a week but also in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance, jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s transition payment that brought their total weekly incomes over €200 will be moved to the reduced pandemic unemployment payment. [11749/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

On Friday 5th June the Government approved the extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until 10th August. The rate of payment will remain at a flat rate of €350 until 29th June when a two-level payment structure will be introduced to link the pandemic unemployment payment level to gross prior earnings. This change to the payment structure will ensure that the rate is fair and targeted.

People in receipt of the JST payment can also avail of the PUP and the amount of the JST payment remains unaffected. Therefore, where people who remain unemployed and who had employment income of less than €200 prior to Covid-19 have their PUP payment reduced their underlying JST payment will remain unchanged; as a consequence, in these cases, the total payment from PUP and JST will still be higher than their combined pre-covid-19 income from JST and employment earnings.

Recipients of the casual jobseeker payment will continue to be paid the €350 PUP payment where a reduction to €203 would reduce their income to less than their total pre-covid-19 income.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.

Carer's Allowance

Ceisteanna (789, 824)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

789. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will raise the household income threshold for eligibility for the carer’s allowance to €1,000 a week in view of the fact it has remained at €663 since 1982; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11960/20]

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

824. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will raise the household income threshold for eligibility for the carer’s allowance to €1,000 a week in view of the fact it has remained at €663 since 1982; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11955/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 789 and 824 together.

The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.

Carer's Allowance is a means-tested payment for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention on a full time basis.

Uniquely in the system, an income disregard of €332.50 per week or €665 for a couple applies to Carer's Allowance.

A couple earning a joint annual income of up to €37,500 can qualify for maximum payment and, given the tapered withdrawal approach, retain a payment of just under half-rate while earning €49,750.

A single person may retain a full-rate payment while having an annual income of just under €19,000, and retain a payment of just under half-rate while having an annual income of €25,400.

In addition, the means test has been eased significantly over the years. As can be seen from the table below, the income disregard for Carer’s Allowance increased by almost 250% from 2000 to 2008.

Changes in Carers Allowance Income Disregard from 2000 - 2008

Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Single	€95	€158	€191	€210	€250	€270	€290	€320	€332.50
Couple	€190	€317	€382	€420	€500	€540	€580	€640	€665
Increase									250%

My Department also offers other, non-means-tested supports to carers. The Carer’s Support Grant is not mean-tested and is available to all carers who meet the eligibility criteria. The payment is not dependent on a person receiving a weekly carer’s payment. This non-taxable grant of €1,700 is payable annually in June.

I recognise the crucial role that carers play in Irish society and will continue to seek to improve the supports for carers. However, any changes must be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (790, 797, 830, 831, 832, 846, 857, 858, 862, 863)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

790. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue for event and arts workers until the mass gathering ban and social distancing are not required for medical safety here. [12097/20]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

797. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that those working as freelancers in the events industry will not suffer hardship in view of the fact their industry is not expected to resume until 2021 at the earliest; the initiatives, grants and welfare options that will be made available on a long-term basis to support these workers and others like them who work in industries that are expected not to resume normal operations until 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12560/20]

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

830. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Covid-19 payment will be maintained for taxi drivers in order to allow them to top-up their income by carrying out some work without losing the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12013/20]

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

831. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for financial and non-financial supports to help taxi drivers. [12014/20]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

832. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment and the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be continued for event and art workers until restrictions are lifted to a suitable level that would allow this group to return to work. [12026/20]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

846. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an interim payment will be provided for the self-employed who have claimed the pandemic unemployment payment in order to provide certainty so they can return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12411/20]

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

857. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if self-employed childcare operators can avail of the pandemic unemployment payment for the summer months upon the cessation of the early childhood care and education scheme; the social welfare entitlements of self-employed childcare operators relating to out of work but not seasonal closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12537/20]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

858. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the Covid-19 social welfare payments into 2021 for those workers whose industries will not reopen until 2021, such as those working in the events industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12563/20]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

862. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a time extension will be committed to regarding pandemic supports to photography and videography businesses in order to provide the certainty required for members of an organisation (details supplied) to keep their companies. [12657/20]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

863. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the extension of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment will be extended beyond the current timeline for the small public service vehicle industry. [12658/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 790, 797, 830 to 832, inclusive, 846, 857, 858, 862 and 863 together.

The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and Government has approved the extension of this payment until 10th August. The Government is aware that there are certain sectors which will be affected by business closures longer than others and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people affected at this time.

The conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment are that a person must be of working age between 18 and up to 66 years old, have been in employment immediately before 13th March and have lost their income from employment due to the pandemic. Where a person does not meet the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and they are unemployed for 4 days or more in a week they can apply for the social-insurance based jobseekers benefit or means tested jobseekers allowance.

A self-employed person must have suffered a collapse of income and be available to take up other full time employment if it was available, in order to qualify for the pandemic unemployment payment. Where a self-employed person does not meet the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and are operating at a reduced level of business they may be eligible for support under the jobseekers allowance payment. Jobseeker’s Benefit for the self- employed, which I introduced last year, is available for self -employed people who have ceased trading and who satisfy the conditions of the scheme which include having sufficient social insurance contributions paid.

It should be noted that any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial support under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent needs payment.

My colleague, the Minister for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has introduced a range of supports and guidance to assist businesses with their recovery from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic. The Minister Children and Youth Affairs has announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of childcare facilities from 29 June 2020. Details of these supports are available on www.gov.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.

School Meals Programme

Ceisteanna (791, 794, 795, 860, 861)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

791. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason it has been indicated that outstanding school meals programme funding cannot be used to provide food for families in need beyond May 2020. [12172/20]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

794. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the monthly cost of providing school meals; if she will consider continuing the school meals programme over the summer months in view of the financial stress families are now under; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12295/20]

Mark Ward

Ceist:

795. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider extending the school meals programme over the summer holidays for the provision of food services for disadvantaged school children. [12356/20]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

860. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on the school meals programme per annum; and the amount this equates to per child. [12633/20]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

861. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider extending the school meals programme over the summer months. [12634/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 791, 794, 795, 860 and 861 together.

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

The statutory Urban School Meals Scheme (USMS) for primary schools is operated by sixteen Local Authorities in some 300 schools and benefitting approximately 50,000 children. It is part-financed by the Department which contributed just over €0.9m in 2018 and €0.7m in 2019.

The non-statutory School Meals (Local Projects) Scheme (SMLPS) provides funding directly from the Department to primary schools, post-primary schools, special schools, local groups and voluntary not for profit organisations operating their own School meals projects. The total cost of the SMLPS in 2019 was €53.6m.

The average monthly cost on the entire programme is €4.5m. The average monthly cost of the USMS is almost €58k with the average monthly cost of the SMLPS being almost €4.5m. This equates to a cost per child per annum of €18.16 for the USMS and €252.40 per child per annum for the SMLPS.

Following the announcement of the closure of schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by the Taoiseach on 12th March 2020, schools and organisations participating in the school meals programme expressed concerns about the impact of school closures on pupils who avail of school meals, and that the unavailability of school meals impacts in particular on the most disadvantaged in our society.

My Department confirmed that funding to schools would continue to enable schools provide food until the end of the current school year - the end of May for post-primary schools and the end of June for primary schools, in line with the parameters of the school meals scheme.

Any proposals from schools to extend funding for food provision beyond these dates will be given consideration.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (792)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

792. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to amending the Pensions Act 1990 to allow for collective bargaining by an association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12194/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Deputy will appreciate that I am unable to comment on issues relating to a particular pension scheme.

The term ‘collective bargaining’ has a specific meaning under Irish law following the enactment of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 and would not encompass collective bargaining between a pensioner representation association and the trustees of their pension scheme. Consequently, the legislative amendment asked about does not arise. Industrial Relations legislation is a matter for the Minister of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Scheme trustees have a range of duties and responsibilities charged under trust law, under the Pensions Act 1990, as amended, and under other relevant legislation. The duties of pension scheme trustees include administering the scheme in accordance with the law and the terms of the trust deed and scheme rules as well as ensuring compliance with the requirements that apply to these schemes. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the best financial interest of all scheme members, whether active, deferred or retired, and must serve all beneficiaries of the scheme impartially. Therefore, I am advised that it would run contrary to their fiduciary obligations to serve one class of beneficiary over any others or to provide any one class with preferential access to the trustees.

Information previously obtained by my Department from the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, which has responsibility for matters relating to the sponsoring employer, indicated that scheme members (both serving staff and retired staff) have a vote in electing a member-nominated trustee (for subsequent nomination to appointment by the Board of the sponsoring company) from both the active member nominees and the retired members nominees.

Measures were introduced in 2015 to facilitate engagement between the trustees of a pension scheme and groups representing the interests of pensioner and deferred scheme members. Changes to guidance issued by the Pensions Authority require the trustees of a pension scheme to notify groups representing the interest of scheme members of proposals to issue a direction under section 50 of the Pensions Act to restructure scheme benefits. This affords the representative group an opportunity to make a submission to the trustees of a pension scheme in relation to proposals to restructure scheme benefits.

In addition to the opportunity to make submissions on any section 50 proposals to restructure scheme benefits, groups representing the interests of pensioners and deferred scheme members also have a right to appeal a section 50 direction by the Pensions Authority to the High Court on a point of law.

More generally, there is no impediment to scheme members, or a representative group for such scheme members, from communicating to the trustees of a scheme in respect of matters pertaining to that scheme.

Where a pension scheme has an internal disputes resolution (IDR) procedure, this provides for a formal structure through which beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries can raise complaints or disputes and engage directly with the pension provider concerned.

If an individual is dissatisfied with the outcome of an IDR process he/she may advance a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, who is an independent and impartial statutory officer responsible for investigating and ruling on complaints from active members, deferred members and beneficiaries of occupational pension schemes, trust Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) or Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs). The time limits for making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman are set out under section 51 of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 which comes within the remit of the Minister for Finance.

The Pensions Authority is the regulatory body charged with the supervision of pension schemes and has the necessary powers under statute to investigate the conduct of a pension scheme should it become aware that a scheme is not in compliance with the provisions of the Pensions Act. Where a pension scheme member is of the view that the scheme is not in compliance with legislative requirements he or she may make a formal complaint to the Pensions Authority.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Ceisteanna (793, 817, 847)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

793. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the 2008 Labour Court recommendation that ruled that a pension scheme should be put in place for community employment supervisors will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12230/20]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

817. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding community employment supervisors and their pension claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11875/20]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

847. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the issues regarding the pension and gratuity status of community employment supervisors; her further plans to implement the Labour Court recommendation issued in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12412/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 793, 817 and 847 together.

The Community Employment Scheme (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

CE sponsor organisations provide a valuable and dedicated service in running CE Schemes all over the country. CE Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors, as employees of these organisations, are an integral part of that good work.

As you are aware, CE supervisors and assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.

Last year my officials and I met with the unions to establish a process for the related discussions and to agree on the terms of reference. During the meetings that followed, the parties undertook a detailed analysis of a number of potential solutions tabled, mindful of the broader environment in which any solution found would need to operate.

Related discussions have also taken place between officials from my Department and their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) and I have asked that my officials continue these discussions.

Further planned discussions between my Department officials and the Unions did not take place in light of the ongoing Covid-19 emergency. However, my officials will continue these discussions as normal business resumes.

Questions Nos. 794 and 795 answered with Question No. 791.

Birth Certificates

Ceisteanna (796)

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

796. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will direct the HSE to enable a person (details supplied) to add that person's signature to the birth certificate of that person's child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12357/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The procedure for registering births is set out in Part 3 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended.

It is the duty of the parents to register the birth of their child within 3 months of the birth by attending at a local Civil Registration Service office. In doing so, the parent(s) is/are acting as qualified informant(s) for the birth and this is recorded in the register of births. In cases where only one of the parents attends to register the birth, the other parent is discharged from this duty.

In the matter of the registration of the birth of the child referred to by the Deputy, the mother attended the registrar’s office and gave the required particulars and signed the register declaring these particulars to be correct in the presence of a registrar. In this circumstance, there is no further requirement on the father with respect to the registration. As the father did not attend at the time of registration, he is not required to sign the register. I am advised that the Civil Registration Act does not provide for a register entry to be retrospectively signed.

The Deputy may wish to note that the legal requirement on parents to attend a registrar’s office to register a birth has been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 Emergency. Arrangements can be made for parents to sign the register of births registered since 13th March 2020, should they wish and when Civil Registration Service offices re-open to the public, provided that the parents acted as qualified informants by signing the necessary declaration contained in the electronic or postal birth registration form they submitted to register the birth of their child.

I hope that this information is helpful to the Deputy.

Question No. 797 answered with Question No. 790.

Carer's Support Grant

Ceisteanna (798)

Pat Buckley

Ceist:

798. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that the carer’s grant can be received by persons that are operating as full-time carers while also working in excess of 16 hours a week in view of previous statements that the payment would be based on the level of care provided and not means tested as in the case of a person (details supplied). [12687/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Government acknowledges the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.

The main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on all DEASP payments to carers in 2020 is expected to exceed €1.3 billion.

The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment of €1,700 for each care recipient paid in a single lump sum with no requirement to satisfy a means test.is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.

The Carer’s Support Grant is payable on the first Thursday in June each year. The Grant is paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance. Other people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment but who are providing full time care and attention are also eligible and can apply for a grant. The grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers. The estimated expenditure on the Carer’s Support Grant this year is €237.32 million. Some 114,000 carers received the annual Carer's Support Grant on Thursday 4 June.

It is a condition of receipt of the Carer’s Support Grant that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention. The full-time care and attention condition has been moderated by legislation allowing the carer to work or engage in education or training outside the home. During any period of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person. In setting the relevant working hours thresholds, it is essential to balance the needs of the carer and the person to whom care is being provided.

As part of Budget 2020, I increased the number of hours that family carers can work, study or attend a training course outside the home, from 15 to 18.5 hours per week. Those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant can avail of this change which came into effect from 6 January 2020.

Any further changes to the conditions for receipt of the Carer's Support Grant would need to be considered in an overall budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.

Employment Support Services

Ceisteanna (799)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

799. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age on the youth employment support scheme; the funding allocated to support young persons under 25 years of age on the scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11646/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on 1st October 2018. YESS is targeted at young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment.

The scheme aims to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. YESS will provide a supportive structure for participants, including case worker support for both placement hosts and jobseekers.

Since the scheme's inception, a total of 797 people have commenced a placement, while in 2020 to date, a total of 152 young people started on the YESS. The COVID-19 situation has impacted significantly on the scheme and as a result, a total of 149 YESS placements were temporarily suspended. Of these, 36 have recommenced in recent weeks, while it is anticipated that many more will also re-start as each phase of the current Government restrictions are lifted.

As the economy reopens and activation services to jobseekers increase it is planned to increase the use of the scheme to provide valuable work experience and training to young people who have been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.

A budget of €3.35million has been allocated to the YESS for 2020.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance

Ceisteanna (800)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

800. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of the carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11676/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of the carer’s allowance is detailed by age in the attached tabular statement.

The number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of the carer’s allowance the end of May 2020

Age	Recipients
18	14
19	44
20	84
21	155
22	192
23	223
24	299
Total	1,011

Budget Process

Ceisteanna (801)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

801. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the date for the pre-budget forum has been decided; if so, when will it be held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11677/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

As part of the budgetary process, my Department organises a pre-budget forum annually for community, voluntary, employee and employer representative organisations to discuss and debate policy issues and present their thoughts and proposals on the upcoming Budget to each other, to senior officials of the Department and to the Minister. Approximately 50 organisations attended last year's event.

The pre-budget forum has taken place annually for over 20 years. It is intended that this year’s event will be held in Dublin Castle. Officials in my Department are liaising with officials in OPW in relation to potential capacity and social distancing requirements. Once these details have been finalised, organisations will be invited to attend the event and to submit their pre-Budget submissions to the Department.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (802)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

802. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the implementation of an automatic enrolment pensions savings system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11678/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Roadmap for Pensions Reform, 2018 to 2023, provides for the development and implementation of an Automatic Enrolment (AE) retirement savings system by 2022. AE will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary supplementary pension system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. The saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out.

In October 2019 the Government approved significant elements of this system’s design for an Automatic Enrolment retirement savings system. Key decisions have now been made in relation to the target membership, the contribution rates, the policies in relation to opting-out and re-enrolment, the administrative arrangements and organisational approach and the investment options.

The Department’s Automatic Enrolment Programme Management Office (AEPMO) continues to work on the implementation of AE in line with the commitments set out in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform. There are currently five main areas where work is on-going so as to produce design options for Government to consider. These areas relate to:

- the scope and role of the Central Processing Authority;

- the nature and functions of the Registered Providers;

- the investment framework and funds to be offered by Registered Providers, including the design of the default fund and the pay-out phase;

- the design of the State financial incentive; and

- the phasing of implementation.

In progressing its work, the Department is receiving technical support from the European Commission’s DG Reform which assists EU member states implementing administrative and institutional reforms.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Ceisteanna (803)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

803. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office will start providing updates again to persons whose cases are in the appeals system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11713/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

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 am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, it was necessary to prioritise its work. In addition, some staff from the Office were redeployed to other areas to assist with ensuring the successful processing of Pandemic Unemployment Payments and related matters. This resulted in some delays in responses to queries from public representatives on appeal cases. All queries were examined and necessary action as regards the processing of individual cases was taken as appropriate.

However, I am now advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that it has resumed its normal arrangements in relation to responding to correspondence from public representatives. If the Deputy requires an update on any individual cases the Office will provide the necessary information.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Ceisteanna (804)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

804. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will engage with a disability service (details supplied) in order that community employment scheme participants can have their periods extended to ensure continuation of important services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11763/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Community Employment (CE) programme provides people who have been long term unemployed, with opportunities to gain work experience and training development so that they have increased options and prospects to re-enter the workforce.

During the COVID-19 restrictions introduced by the Government in March 2020, all CE participants due to leave CE had their time on the programme extended until 31/07/2020.

Now that the country has begun the process of restoring normal operation and in keeping with the Government’s Roadmap for re-opening society and businesses, the recruitment of CE participants has commenced. My Department has written to all CE Sponsoring Authorities regarding participants whose CE participation is due to end. Local Community Development Officers (CDOs) of the Department are in contact with schemes about phasing the departure of this group of CE participants in the period ahead.

The Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living can contact their local CDO, Aidan O’Callaghan ([e-mail]) or the Area Manager, Niamh Kelly ([e-mail] ) with a view to discussing this matter further.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (805)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

805. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of employees who return to work after being on the temporary wage subsidy scheme in relation to holidays; if the employer must still offer contracted holiday days despite the period when the business did not trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11774/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out the key parameters around the taking of annual leave and payment of same. Section 19 of the Act provides that an employee shall be entitled to paid annual leave equal to:

(a) 4 working weeks in a leave year in which he or she works at least 1,365 hours (unless it is a leave year in which he or she changes employment),

(b) One third of a working week for each month in the leave year in which he or she works at least 177 hours, or

(c) 8 per cent of the hours he or she works in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 weeks).

Under the terms of the Act, if an employee is in receipt of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners), they accrue annual leave only in respect of the hours which they actually work.

The terms and conditions of individual employment contracts may provide additional specifics within those parameters such as stipulations in relation to the entitlement to extra days' leave above what is statutorily required by the Act.

An employee may present a complaint to the WRC if it appears that the employer has failed to provide the correct holiday entitlements to which the employee is entitled under the Act.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (806)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

806. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which workers who were forced onto the pandemic unemployment payment due to their employers ceasing trading will be treated in terms of statutory entitlements once they return to their former employment; if a full complement of holidays must be offered to them by their employers even though they were off the company books for a number of months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11775/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out the key parameters around the taking of annual leave and payment of same. The terms and conditions of individual employment contracts may provide additional specifics within those parameters such as stipulations in relation to the entitlement to extra days' leave above what is statutorily required by the Act.

Section 19 of the Act provides that an employee shall be entitled to paid annual leave equal to:

(a) 4 working weeks in a leave year in which he or she works at least 1,365 hours (unless it is a leave year in which he or she changes employment),

(b) One third of a working week for each month in the leave year in which he or she works at least 177 hours, or

(c) 8 per cent of the hours he or she works in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 weeks).

In calculating how many days leave to which an employee may be entitled, employers should include all hours actually worked, and take account of time spent on annual leave, time spent on maternity leave, parental leave, force majeure leave or adoptive leave, sick leave and time spent on the first 13 weeks of carer's leave.

A person must be fully unemployed to qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and have lost their employment due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If a person continues to be paid by their employer during the Covid-19 pandemic, they are not eligible for the payment. If an employee is in receipt of PUP, they are not in a position to accrue annual leave. Employees are also not in a position to accrue annual leave during a period of temporary lay-off.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.