Written Answers Nos. 847-864
848. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is the case that employers are expected to pay wages for the Easter and May bank holidays of employees who were temporarily laid off and in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12444/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe determination of whether a person is entitled to payment from their employer in respect of a public holiday is governed by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Under the Act, for each of the nine public holidays in a year, an employee is entitled to either a paid day off on the holiday, a paid day off within a month of the holiday, an extra day’s annual leave, or an extra day’s pay. If a person is on temporary lay-off, they are entitled to benefit for the public holidays that fall within the first thirteen weeks of lay-off.
An employee may present a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission 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 the matter for the Deputy.
849. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department sought legal advice in advance of her decision to withhold access to the pandemic unemployment payment to asylum seekers in direct provision who have lost their employment due to the pandemic. [12447/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra850. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision to withhold access to the pandemic unemployment payment to asylum seekers in direct provision who have lost their employment due to the pandemic. [12448/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 849 and 850 together.
Where applicants for International Protection live in the community outside the direct provision system, they are eligible for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment if they meet the conditions for the payment.
Applicants for International Protection accommodated under the system of Direct Provision operated by the International Protection Accommodation Services of the Department of Justice and Equality are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities and services. People in direct provision receive a daily expenses allowance payment from my Department payable at the weekly rate of €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children. In this situation, the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is not payable where the person’s needs are being met through the services provided by the accommodation centre and the daily expenses allowance payment. The matter of legal advice is privileged.
Applicants for international protection may receive assistance under the Exceptional Needs Payment or Urgent Needs to meet with any costs that cannot be met from their weekly allowance.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
851. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amend the regulations in relation to the State pension (contributory) with particular reference to persons whose insurance contributions were interrupted due to periods in receipt of farm assist; if the periods that persons were in receipt of farm assist can be credited for insurance purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12467/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Farm Assist scheme was introduced in 1999 to provide income support for low income farmers. It replaced the former smallholders’ unemployment assistance payment. In line with the then existing arrangements for unemployment assistance (including smallholders) and pre-retirement allowance, the income of Farm Assist recipients was exempt from Class S PRSI for self-employed workers, and so they did not have to pay into the Social Insurance Fund at that time. Recipients of Farm Assist who had previously paid Class S social insurance had the option of paying voluntary contributions to maintain their social insurance record, including their entitlement to State Pension (Contributory), provided they satisfied the qualifying conditions.
Since 1st January 2007, the exemption from Class S PRSI has been removed and those receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance and Farm Assist are subject to Class S PRSI as self-employed contributors on their self-employed income, provided their annual income is €5,000 or more.
PRSI credited contributions (credits) are only awarded to former employees, to cover gaps in social insurance where they are not in a position to pay PRSI such as during periods of unemployment, illness, etc. Self-employed workers, whether farmers or self-employed in other sectors, do not qualify for credits.
The State Pension (Contributory) is a PRSI-based pension, financed by contributions made by current workers and their employers, and paid to pensioners, at a rate based upon their PRSI record when working. Those with few or no PRSI contributions paid over the years may alternatively qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory), which is a means-tested pension, financed by the Exchequer, and paid at up to 95% the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). There are also significant disregards in the household means test for the State Pension (Non-Contributory). Alternatively, if their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an increase for a Qualified Adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate State Pension (Contributory). The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
852. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the projected cost of a €1 increase in each weekly social welfare payment in 2021 based on forecasted unemployment figures and controlling for the exceptional circumstances of 2020. [12495/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following tables.
Table 1: Cost of €1 increase in all weekly social insurance and social assistance payments
|
Scheme |
Full year cost of a €1 increase |
|
€m |
|
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|
|
Pension Payments |
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
24.02 |
|
Widow/er's Contributory Pension (Aged 66 and over) |
4.54 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit (Aged 66 and over) |
0.16 |
|
Death Benefit Pension (Aged 66 and over) |
0.03 |
|
Working Age Payments |
|
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
1.57 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
0.14 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
3.26 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
0.11 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
0.06 |
|
Disablement Pension |
0.26 |
|
Illness Benefit |
2.65 |
|
Injury Benefit |
0.04 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
0.05 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
7.32 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
0.15 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
0.00 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
1.08 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
0.06 |
|
Parent’s Benefit |
0.09 |
|
Total Social Insurance Schemes |
46.07 |
|
Scheme |
Full year cost of a €1 increase |
|
€m |
|
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
Pension Payments |
|
|
State Pension (Non Con) |
5.07 |
|
Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over) |
0.10 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance (Aged 66 and over) |
0.36 |
|
Working Age Payments |
|
|
Blind Pension |
0.06 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
0.07 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
0.00 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
2.05 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
2.36 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
0.63 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
0.03 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
11.81 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance - for those aged 18 to 24 years of age |
1.00 |
|
Disability Allowance |
8.22 |
|
Farm Assist |
0.36 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
0.25 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
0.19 |
|
Community Employment |
1.31 |
|
TÚS |
0.34 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
0.22 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
0.95 |
|
Total Social Assistance Schemes |
35.93 |
|
Total Assistance and Insurance* |
82.00 |
*Rounding may affect totals
The costs shown above are on a full year basis. Other than the estimates for jobseekers' benefit and jobseekers' allowance, the costs are based on the estimated number of recipients underpinning the Revised Estimate of expenditure for 2020 voted by the Oireachtas on 28 May 2020. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
The costs for jobseekers' benefit and jobseekers' allowance are based on unemployment rates for 2021 set out in the Stability Programme Update published in April 2020, following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and, for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
853. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures which will be put in place for applicants for the working family payment that are due for a review of the payment that will be affected by Covid-19 reduced working hours under the criteria that they must work 38 or more hours each fortnight; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12507/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Working Family Payment is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. It is designed to prevent in-work poverty and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. The estimated annual expenditure on Working Family Payment in 2019 is approximately €397.2 million. As of May 2020 the support is paid to approximately 51,256 persons in respect of some 115,201 children.
Customers who are in receipt of Working Family Payment and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment are considered to be meeting all the eligibility requirements of the Working Family Payment in this situation, and their payment is not affected at this time.
There are a number of supports currently available from the Department in cases where an individual may not be eligible for Working Family Payment, including the Short Term Work Support and Jobseekers Allowance, which allows an individual to work up to three days without losing their benefit. The Department regularly updates information regarding the supports available during Covid-19 and details of these can be found on the Department's website at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection/
854. 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 pandemic unemployment payment by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12510/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra855. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons aged 25 to 29 years of age in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12511/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 854 and 855 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of young persons aged 25 years of age and under and persons aged between 25 and 29, by county are detailed below in the attached tabular statements.
|
County |
Total number in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment on June 16th 2020 aged under 25 |
|
Carlow |
1,280 |
|
Cavan |
1,615 |
|
Clare |
2,712 |
|
Cork |
11,505 |
|
Donegal |
4,156 |
|
Dublin |
32,295 |
|
Galway |
5,707 |
|
Kerry |
3,636 |
|
Kildare |
5,014 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,833 |
|
Laois |
1,451 |
|
Leitrim |
712 |
|
Limerick |
4,055 |
|
Longford |
678 |
|
Louth |
3,221 |
|
Mayo |
3,031 |
|
Meath |
4,238 |
|
Monaghan |
1,383 |
|
Offaly |
1,536 |
|
Roscommon |
1,194 |
|
Sligo |
1,512 |
|
Tipperary |
3,197 |
|
Waterford |
2,581 |
|
Westmeath |
2,084 |
|
Wexford |
3,338 |
|
Wicklow |
3,355 |
|
Other |
251 |
|
Total |
107,570 |
|
County |
Total number in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment on June 16th 2020 aged between 25 and 29 |
|
Carlow |
657 |
|
Cavan |
648 |
|
Clare |
1,120 |
|
Cork |
5,517 |
|
Donegal |
1,815 |
|
Dublin |
23,600 |
|
Galway |
3,030 |
|
Kerry |
1,759 |
|
Kildare |
2,150 |
|
Kilkenny |
790 |
|
Laois |
703 |
|
Leitrim |
290 |
|
Limerick |
2,251 |
|
Longford |
336 |
|
Louth |
1,492 |
|
Mayo |
1,198 |
|
Meath |
1,837 |
|
Monaghan |
670 |
|
Offaly |
696 |
|
Roscommon |
445 |
|
Sligo |
646 |
|
Tipperary |
1,410 |
|
Waterford |
1,192 |
|
Westmeath |
1,002 |
|
Wexford |
1,616 |
|
Wicklow |
1,499 |
|
Other |
213 |
|
Total |
58,582 |
856. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the funding and staff allocation to the Citizens Information Board in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12512/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services to citizens on a wide range of public and social services. The table below sets out the funding and staff allocation to CIB for 2018, 2019 and 2020.
|
Year |
CIB Funding Allocation |
CIB Staff Allocation (whole time equivalents) |
|
2018 |
€57,410,000 |
74 |
|
2019 |
€59,260,000 |
74 |
|
2020 |
€61,774,000 |
79 |
The annual budget allocation to the Citizens Information Board funds the provision of services directly to the public through a number of websites and publications and funds 21 delivery service companies across the country to provide services to the public.
The service delivery companies include:
- 8 regional Citizens Information Services (CIS) which provide information, advice and advocacy services to the public on a range of social and public services delivered through a nationwide network of Citizens Information Centres;
- the Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) which provides a comprehensive and confidential information service to the general public;
- 8 regional Money Advice and Budgeting Services ( MABS), which provides assistance to people, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments, who are over-indebted and need help and advice with debt problems;
- MABS Support CLG which provides supports to the MABS Regional Companies to ensure that they can deliver a consistent, high-quality service to the public;
- National Traveller MABS (NTMABS) which works to end the financial exclusion of Travellers;
- the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) which provides an independent confidential representative advocacy service for people with disabilities; and
- the Sign Language and Interpreting Service (SLIS) which provides a range of services to support Deaf people to access public and social services.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
859. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has given further consideration to the provision of a Covid-19 payment to persons who are on a reduced State pension (contributory) that have lost employment income due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12608/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to people age between 18 and up to 66 years, and is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to working age persons. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the contributory State pension based on PRSI contributions or the non-contributory means tested pension.
A person in receipt of the State contributory pension can retain all of their State pension as well as their employment income and retain that pension payment if they lose employment income, thus guaranteeing an income support. If a person is not in receipt of the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory, they may be eligible for an increased weekly rate of payment on the State non-contributory means tested pension depending on their circumstances.
People aged over 66 may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports that are aligned to the particular circumstances of older people and are significantly more valuable than those generally available to the working age. These include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package (gas/electricity) and living alone allowance.
A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship can access assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments where the need is demonstrated.
I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
864. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has been notified by a company (details supplied) of plans to make workers redundant; when her Department was notified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12675/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes a number of obligations on employers who are proposing collective redundancies, including an obligation under sections 9 and 10 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. It is an offence under the Act for an employer to fail to comply with sections 9 or 10.
There is also an obligation under section 12 which makes it mandatory on employers proposing a collective redundancy to notify the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection of the proposed collective redundancy. I received official notification of the proposed collective redundancies in Aer Lingus in letters dated 23rd March and 19th June 2020, which my officials inform me complied with the requirements under section 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977.
My sincere thoughts are with all employers and employees faced with the prospect of forced restructuring and redundancies at this difficult time. Many sectors and industries have been badly affected by the measures the Irish Government, like many other governments across the globe, has had to take in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is probably fair to say that sectors associated with travel, tourism and aviation have been affected more than most.
Having come through previous difficulties, I understand how difficult it must be for Aer Lingus employees to now face more renegotiations, restructuring and possibly lay-offs. I greatly respect the efforts of workers and workers’ representatives to ensure that they get the best possible outcome from the situation.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
