Written Answers Nos. 450-469
451. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration is being given to altering the three month waiting period which applies to school leavers not going on to further education before applying for jobseeker’s allowance for young persons that cannot find work or part-time work during Covid-19 restrictions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16517/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Social Welfare legislation students are disqualified from receiving jobseekers allowance while attending a course of study, including school or college holiday periods and for the 3 month period after completing the Leaving Certificate or leaving second level education. Following the cancellation of this year's Leaving Certificate Examination, these students will be eligible to apply for jobseekers Allowance from 30 August 2020, which is 3 months after the end of term on 29th May.
A person who is in receipt of a social welfare payment can continue to get paid an increase for a qualified child for this period after they have left second level education or completed their leaving certificate, provided they are not receiving a payment in their own right.
Where a person is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for assistance through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
452. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the situation in relation to a person who has been granted an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme in circumstances (details supplied); and the supports available for single parents in such circumstances. [16520/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is an established national initiative, funded by the Department of Education and Skills and managed by the Irish Research Council.
The scholarship includes:
- a stipend of €16,000 per annum
- a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum
- eligible direct research expenses of €2,250 per annum
There is no provision in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) to exclude income from this Scholarship in the assessment of means for Jobseeker's Transitional Payment. In this particular case the weekly assessed means from the stipend exceeds the weekly jobseeker's Transitional Payment due to this claimant, which causes the eligibility for the payment to cease.
The supports available in terms of secondary benefits for single parents in such circumstances would depend on the individual conditions pertaining to each case.
453. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she was notified of redundancies at a company (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the company is making fifteen of its sixteen employees redundant due to manufacturing being moved to Latvia; the obligations required to be satisfied by the company in advance of redundancy payments to the staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16538/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Protection of Employment Act 1977 makes it mandatory on employers to notify the Minister of a proposed collective redundancy. ‘Collective redundancies’ arise where, during any period of 30 consecutive days, the employees being made redundant are:
- 5 employees where 21-49 are employed.
- 10 employees where 50-99 are employed.
- 10% of the employees where 100-299 are employed.
- 30 employees where 300 or more are employed.
As the company has less than 21 employees, they are not obliged to notify the Minister under the Protection of Employment Act 1997. I can confirm that I have not been notified of redundancies at the company.
Under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 the employees may be eligible for a redundancy payment. It is the responsibility of the employer to pay statutory redundancy payments to eligible employees. In the event that due to financial difficulties the employer is unable to make statutory redundancy payments, they may submit applications to this Department under the Redundancy Payments Scheme.
I also want to assure the Deputy that my Department will assist 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
454. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of advisers and special advisers appointed by her since becoming Minister; the starting annual salary of each person appointed by her; if an open interview process was conducted for each appointee; the duration and terms of each contract issued to each adviser and special adviser; and if an advisory role has been split to facilitate job sharing in tabular form. [16562/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers to work with me, a Special Adviser on policy and a Press Adviser, and these persons will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
455. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if jobseeker’s benefit will be extended for those unable to find employment due to Covid-19; the provisions available to those whose time on the benefit is drawing to an end who may not have been able to gain employment due to the pandemic and accompanying lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16601/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the duration of jobseeker’s benefit will be extended temporarily in order that persons who lost their jobs before Covid-19 can continue their claims at least until the period while special supports continue. [16710/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 463 together.
The pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Government has set employment recovery as its top priority and the jobs stimulus package to be announced later this month will assist people back into work.
People who do not qualify for the pandemic unemployment payment can apply for a jobseekers payment. Jobseeker's benefit is a weekly payment to people who have lost their employment and who satisfy the scheme's statutory conditions including the requirement to have sufficient social insurance contributions paid. This benefit is paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and for 6 months (156 days) for people who have less than 260 paid. Where a person does not re-qualify or has used up their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit they can apply for the means tested jobseeker’s allowance.
I trust this clarifies the position.
456. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16621/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, an application for an exceptional needs payment (ENP) has not been received from the person concerned.
An application form was issued to the person concerned on 17/07/2020. When the necessary documentation has been received an Officer of my Department will assess the application and contact the person concerned with a decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
457. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend entitlement to the free travel pass to persons who suffer from epilepsy and are medically unfit to drive as a consequence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16623/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 976,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2020 is €95 million.
Persons resident in Ireland who are over 66 and persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments are eligible for the scheme. The social welfare payments that allow persons aged under 66 to a free travel pass include disability allowance, invalidity pension, carer’s allowance and partial capacity benefit. Disability allowance and invalidity pension are both long term illness payments, and so people in receipt of those payments will already have eligibility.
Any possible extension to the eligibility criteria for free travel, including to those persons that suffer from epilepsy and are medically unfit to drive as a consequence, would have significant cost implications for the free travel scheme and would also require additional administrative processes to be put in place in order to adjudicate eligibility. Any decision to do so could only be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme (SWA), the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection may award a travel supplement, in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
458. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional resources will be allocated to accommodate the clearance of backlogged public services card appointments following the Covid-19-related shut down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16629/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity, is a face to face process which results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC).
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily postponed the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing. As a result it has not been possible for those who wish to obtain a PSC to make an appointment to get one.
My Department is currently resuming SAFE registration work in Intreo Centres and this will be done in accordance with all relevant guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the Department's customers and staff. I would expect that SAFE registrations will re-commence nationwide over the coming weeks and further information will then be made available as to how appointments can be arranged.
It is important to note that my Department has continued to allocate Personal Public Service Numbers to people who have required them over the past number of months.
While I do not expect the resumption of SAFE registrations to require the allocation of additional resources, this matter will be kept under review.
In the meantime, anyone who has lost their PSC may contact the Department and a replacement will be issued. Where the Department has written to a person inviting them to renew their PSC, they may do so by post or alternatively they can contact my Department and a new card can be issued for a three year period.
It should also be noted that the National Transport Authority has confirmed that expired Free Travel PSCs will be accepted on public transport for the time being.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
459. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if maternity benefit is counted as income for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if not, if she will rectify that to include same. [16664/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic. A two level payment structure has been introduced to link the pandemic unemployment payment level to prior earnings.
If a recipient’s gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher then there is no change to their rate of payment. If a person’s gross weekly earnings were under €200 then the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment has been adjusted to €203 per week which is in line with the standard personal rate of jobseeker's benefit. The majority of recipients, approximately 75%, have not been impacted by this change in rate.
A person’s gross weekly earnings are determined by reference to earnings data supplied by Revenue. Amounts paid by way of maternity benefit are not included in the calculation of gross weekly earnings.
Where a person’s rate is reduced to the flat rate €203 per week and their family circumstances are that they have adult or child dependents in their household it may be more financially beneficial to apply for a jobseekers payment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
460. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of Covid-19 rent supplement applications received from 13 March 2020 to the most recent date for which figures are available; the number of claims in payment on the most recent date for which figures are available; the breakdown of these claims by county; the average payment by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16698/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are discussions between her Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the use of the Covid-19 rent supplement payment and or the SWA emergency payment scheme to address the issue of Covid-19 rent arrears debt for private renters who lost income due to Covid-19 restrictions. [16699/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together.
Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21, 000 recipients.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but who suffered a loss of income due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Since the introduction of the Government’s Covid emergency response approximately 7,000 customers have been provided rent supplement support; in addition, there are some 1,000 pending applications awaiting a decision or in the process of providing the necessary documentation to the officer dealing with the claim. The number of cases that are currently in payment, awarded from the 13 March 2020, along with monthly tenancy costs by county to end June 2020 are provided in the attached tabular statement.
The Department’s response to this emergency, ensuring that the inherent flexibility of the rent supplement is available, has been extended to end-August 2020 and is being reviewed in the context of the Government’s continued response to the Covid emergency.
There is regular on-going engagement between officials in the Department and their colleagues in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on a range of housing issues, including rent supplement. With respect to rent arrears, where a person is finding it difficult to meet their tenancy obligations, in particular due to loss of employment, they are advised to contact their local Community Welfare Officer for support. This can include the provision of Rent Supplement and/or the use of Emergency Needs Payments addressing the customer's particular needs.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Table 1: Rent Supplement Average Payment and Awards Post 13th March as at end June 2020
|
County |
Average Payment (€uros) |
Claims in Payment |
|
CARLOW |
497 |
105 |
|
CAVAN |
453 |
115 |
|
CLARE |
422 |
104 |
|
CORK |
617 |
803 |
|
DONEGAL |
373 |
115 |
|
DUBLIN |
805 |
2,918 |
|
GALWAY |
588 |
379 |
|
KERRY |
540 |
295 |
|
KILDARE |
783 |
352 |
|
KILKENNY |
519 |
111 |
|
LAOIS |
569 |
96 |
|
LEITRIM |
349 |
34 |
|
LIMERICK |
537 |
266 |
|
LONGFORD |
390 |
35 |
|
LOUTH |
652 |
114 |
|
MAYO |
422 |
113 |
|
MEATH |
768 |
193 |
|
MONAGHAN |
403 |
51 |
|
OFFALY |
500 |
46 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
424 |
66 |
|
SLIGO |
428 |
80 |
|
TIPPERARY |
477 |
152 |
|
WATERFORD |
277 |
42 |
|
WESTMEATH |
547 |
116 |
|
WEXFORD |
478 |
150 |
|
WICKLOW |
845 |
278 |
|
Grand Total |
674 |
7,129 |
462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct rate of illness benefit payable in the case of a person (details supplied); if an exceptional needs payment will issue in the meantime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16708/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is claiming Illness Benefit since 4th April 2020 and is being paid at the personal rate of €159 per week.
The rate of Illness Benefit payment is based on a person's weekly earnings in the governing contribution year; for claims made in 2020, that year is 2018. As the person concerned had weekly earnings in 2018 between €220.00-€299.99, she qualifies for Illness Benefit at a rate of €159.00 per week.
The person concerned did not indicate on their application form for Illness Benefit that she wished to claim for her son as a qualified child. A new application form has issued to her today and her entitlement to a qualified child increase will be assessed on receipt of the completed application form.
An IQC is payable where the child is in full-time education and the customer is in receipt of:
- a long-term DEASP payment or
- a short-term payment i.e. JB, JA, IB, Injury Benefit or Health and Safety Benefit for 156 days or has an accumulation of at least 156 days of relevant DEASP payments.
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough income to meet their needs and those of their families. If a person's weekly income is below the Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate. The person concerned can receive further details from the Community Welfare Officer at her local Intreo Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
464. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not successful in the review of their State pension (contributory) entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16733/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 924 full-rate paid and credited contributions from their date of entry into insurable employment (5 December 1960) to end-December 2009, which equates to a yearly average of 18 contributions. This gives them an entitlement to a reduced rate of State pension (contributory), at 75% of the maximum rate, which has been awarded since 2 March 2012.
The person is in receipt of the correct rate of State pension (contributory), commensurate with their insurance record since December 1960 as held by my Department. Their pension entitlement was confirmed in writing on 16 July 2020, enclosing a copy of their insurance record on which the decision was based. Class J contributions recorded for the tax year 1990/91 are not qualifying contributions for pension purposes. If the person concerned considers they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.
In January 2018, the Government announced a new calculation method for state pension (contributory), including the introduction of new HomeCaring Periods, for people born on or after 1 September 1946, who were awarded state pension (contributory) based on reduced post-Budget 2012 rate bands. On 29 April 2019 the person concerned requested a review of their pension entitlement in light of those changes. They were advised that, as their date of birth is before 1 September 1946, they are not within the cohort of pensioners included in this pension review.
The person concerned may wish to consider applying for State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested, residency-based payment for people of pension age. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the applicant and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
465. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be granted the higher pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16735/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe enhanced Illness Benefit payment is payable where a person has a diagnosis of COVID 19 or where they are medically certified as being a probable source of infection.
In cases where the person is self-isolating on the instruction of a doctor or the HSE due to being a probable source of infection of COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit is paid for a maximum of 4 weeks.
If a person receives a positive diagnosis of Covid-19, they may receive enhanced Illness Benefit for a further 10 weeks.
Where a person is self isolating and are not a probable source of infection they may apply for normal Illness Benefit with the accompanying appropriate (non COVID 19 related) medical certification from their GP.
The person concerned was paid for 4 weeks of enhanced Illness Benefit from the 20th March 2020 to 16th April 2020 as their GP had certified them as being a probable source of COVID -19 infection. Payment reverted to the normal Illness Benefit rate of €203 per week from 17th April 2020 due to continued certification being received.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
466. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of companies that have notified her Department of redundancies since March 2020; the number of redundancies arising from those notifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16750/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 provides that employers proposing a collective redundancy must notify the Minister of the proposed collective redundancy.
The statistics in relation to collective redundancy notifications since March 2020 are -
|
Collective Redundancies Notified |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July (to 15/07) |
|
Number of Notifications Received |
16 |
17 |
28 |
37 |
11 |
|
Number of Potential Redundancies Advised |
1195 |
1960 |
2159 |
1464 |
555 |
My Department monitors that the legislative requirements for consultation and notification of potential redundancies to the Minister are complied with.
I am advised that it is not possible to confirm if the actual number of redundancies occurring will correlate to that advised to me as Minister as a potential redundancy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
467. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if correspondence will be reviewed regarding the State pension of a person (details supplied); if the matter will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16753/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 723 of 14 July 2020, if the planned early retirement allowance or pension for persons aged 65 years of age will be a means tested payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17079/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 477 together.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides for increases to the State pension age to make the State pension system more sustainable as life expectancy increases. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State Pension (Transition). This measure standardised the State pension age for all at 66 years. The legislation provides for increases to the State pension age - to 67 in 2021 and further to 68 in 2028.
The new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” states that the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred. This will require amendment to primary legislation and the Government will bring in the necessary legislation later this year.
Furthermore, a Commission on Pensions will be established to examine sustainability and eligibility issues in relation to State pensions and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission is to report to Government by June 2021 on options including the qualifying age, contribution rates, total contributions and eligibility requirements. The Government will take action, having regard to the recommendations of the Commission, within six months. Pending the Commission’s report and any subsequent Government decisions on its recommendations, it is intended that the State pension age will remain at 66 years as at present.
The Programme for Government also proposes an “Early Retirement Allowance or Pension” for 65 year olds paid at the same rate as Jobseekers Benefit without a requirement to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. The new payment will be introduced as early as possible for those who are retired from employment. Officials in my Department are currently considering the design of the scheme and assessing the necessary legislation, ICT system requirements and administrative processes required for the introduction of this payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
468. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) and its subsidiaries by her Department and each body and local authority under her remit from 1 January 2016 to 14 July 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16839/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that neither my Department nor the agencies under its remit have had any contracts with the company referred to during the period from 1 January 2016 to 14 July 2020.
469. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason an application for the pandemic unemployment payment was denied in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16864/20]
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 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 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
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned ceased employment on 28/2/2020. His application for a PUP was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria for this income support as he was not employed on or after 6/3/2020.
The records of my Department show the person concerned submitted an application for a jobseeker's benefit dated 12/3/2020. In this application he confirmed his last day worked was 28/2/2020 and his employment had ended. His loss of employment was not due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The person concerned also provided a letter from his former employer confirming this information. A jobseeker's benefit payment was subsequently awarded from 12/3/2020. According to records the person concerned withdrew his jobseeker’s benefit payment on 10/6/2020.
If the person concerned feels he meets the eligibility criteria for a jobseeker’s benefit payment, it is open to him to make a further application, either through www.mywelfare.ie or at his local Intreo Centre in Bishop’s Square.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
