Written Answers Nos. 676-694
676. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if an analysis can be conducted on the back to work enterprise allowance scheme (details supplied) to adapt it to suit the tourism sector. [17053/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The BTWEA is not designed to support individuals already in self-employment. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises and supporting the first steps into self-employment for the long term unemployed.
Individuals who are currently self-employed have a range of other income support options available to them from the Department. The individual referred to by the Deputy may be entitled to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), Jobseeker's Benefit or the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance payment depending on their situation.
Self-employed individuals, including those in operating in the tourism sector, can engage in limited levels of self-employment and can earn up to €960 over a rolling eight week period and continue to maintain entitlement to PUP. Where a self-employed person exceeds this threshold they may apply for the Part Time Job Incentive for the self- employed scheme which enables a self-employed person who has been in receipt of the PUP to engage in self-employment for up to 24 hours per week and receive a personal weekly rate of payment of €128.60. No income threshold is applied under this support.
The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) is also available to eligible self-employed recipients who close their PUP and reopen their business as restrictions begin to lift. A once-off grant of up to €1,000, to assist with the costs associated with reopening, is available under this measure. The grant is payable to self-employed individuals who employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and who are not eligible for support from similar business reopening grants from other Departments.
I trust this clarifies the position.
677. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the recent announcement that those on the disability allowance will become eligible for PhD scholarships without the loss of disability allowance and a medical card will also apply to those on the invalidity payment and other disability-related welfare supports. [17061/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently signed Regulations which introduced a new disregard which will apply to Disability Allowance recipients who have been granted bursaries, stipends or scholarships towards completing a PhD. It is subject to an annual limit of €20,000 per annum (i.e. if a recipient gets more than one bursary, the combination cannot exceed €20,000) and is available for a maximum of four years.
The measure in these Regulations is designed to acknowledge the increased costs a person with a disability encounters and the particular difficulties they may face supplementing their income through work alongside their PhD studies.
The measure applies to recipients of Disability Allowance, as people with disabilities are under-represented at higher levels of education, and in employment, and we should give them all the support we can to take advantage of opportunities and to contribute as full and active members of our society.
Invalidity Pension is a benefit payment and a person's entitlement is dependent on their social insurance history. As such, it is not subject to a means test. A recipient of Invalidity Pension can receive income through a scholarship without their payment being affected.
My Department encourages other social welfare recipients to avail of education and training through the Back to Education scheme, as well as by referrals to Education and Training Board courses through the Department's Intreo service. In addition, income received from the SUSI grant is disregarded in the means test for most social welfare schemes.
Also, there are a number of scholarships, such as those awarded by certain charitable organisations, which are not assessed as part of the means test for social welfare payments. These include payments under the 1916 Bursary Fund and under Higher Educational Scholarships for Adult Learners from University to a maximum of €7,000 per annum. Uversity is a registered charity that has been awarding Higher Education Scholarships to adult learners since 2018.
Any extension of means disregards would need to be examined in an overall budgetary context.
678. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the breakdown of expenses claimed by the Secretary and deputy secretary general of her Department between December 2017 and February 2021, in tabular form. [17063/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA breakdown of the expenses claimed by the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of my Department between December 2017 and February 2021 are provided in the following tables:
|
SECRETARY GENERAL |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
Subsistence |
€2,464 |
€1,235 |
€74 |
€3,773 |
|
Transport |
€2,190 |
€1,728 |
€233 |
€4,152 |
|
Accommodation |
€79 |
€1,599 |
€0 |
€1,678 |
|
Total |
€4,734 |
€4,562 |
€307 |
€9,603 |
|
DEPUTY SECRETARY |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
Subsistence |
€484 |
€1,514 |
€222 |
€2,220 |
|
Transport |
€980 |
€3,436 |
€551 |
€4,968 |
|
Accommodation |
€682 |
€2,762 |
€321 |
€3,766 |
|
Miscellaneous |
€28 |
€43 |
€79 |
€149 |
|
Total |
€2,174 |
€7,755 |
€1,173 |
€11,102 |
There have been no expenses claimed by the Secretary General or Deputy Secretary during 2021 to date.
Expenses incurred by employees of my Department are wholly and exclusively for Departmental business.
679. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy scheme for the entertainment sector until mass gatherings are permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17107/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) in March last year was one of the key targeted measures taken by Government to support employees and the self-employed who lost employment as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, payments of the PUP issued to almost 450,00 people and to date expenditure on the scheme has been some €6.5 billion. Government has confirmed that the PUP scheme will remain open until 30th June 2021 providing greater certainty for employees and businesses who continue to be most impacted.
To be eligible to apply for PUP an employee must have been temporarily laid off or lost their employment as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 emergency and are not in receipt of employment income. A self-employed person's trading income must have ceased or reduced to €960 over an 8 week period due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The PUP Scheme will continue to be kept under review and future decisions by Government will be informed by the trajectory of the pandemic and the evolving public health situation.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
680. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and additional arrears issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17237/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing an appeal and a review the person concerned has been awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 12 August 2020. She was notified of this decision in writing on 11 February 2021. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 3 March 2021.
The person concerned was in receipt of another social welfare payment during the period 12 August 2020 to 2 March 2021. Consequently, the amount of social welfare already paid required calculation and was deducted from any arrears due.
This process was completed by my Department as quickly as possible and the correct amount of DA arrears issued to the person in question on 16 March 2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
681. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if a moratorium will be considered on routine reviews of the carer's allowance until the pandemic is over; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra682. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to a moratorium on reviews for all carers until the Covid-19 pandemic is over; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17356/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 681 and 682 together.
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
CA reviews take place in a number of circumstances as follows:
- If the decision on a new claim is negative the customer has the option of a review;
- Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews as part of its control strategy to ensure that there is continued entitlement; and
- A customer can at any stage request a review of their entitlement.
As outlined above, a wide range of reviews are carried out arising from customer requests, together with reviews undertaken by the Department. At present, although some control reviews are being carried out, the Department is prioritising reviews where a customer has notified a change in circumstances and may have an entitlement to an increase in rate, or where the revised decision will provide for award of payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
683. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the inclusion of a school (details supplied) in the school meals allowance scheme with immediate effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17380/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,557 schools and organisations benefitting 227,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to 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.
Priority for funding under the School Meals Local Projects Scheme is given to schools which are part of the Department of Education initiative for disadvantaged schools, ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools’ (DEIS). As the school referred to by the Deputy is not a DEIS school, regrettably it cannot be considered at this time.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
684. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit meet the obligations of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17434/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 assigns specific responsibilities to the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the funding of a scheme of accreditation for ISL Interpreters (Section 7) and the provision of funds to facilitate ISL users with access to social, educational and cultural events and services (including medical) and other activities as specified in guidelines (Section 9).
I have assigned the implementation of these responsibilities to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory agency under the aegis of my Department. The CIB, working closely with one of its Service Delivery companies, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), has made progress in implementing these commitments.
In relation to Section 7 of the ISL Act, the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI) was established in December 2020. Prior to establishment, CIB conducted significant research into international policies and standards, undertook extensive consultation with the Deaf community and other stakeholders, and developed and externally reviewed policies and procedures. A separate company was also established to ensure operational independence of the Register.
The first of its kind in Ireland, RISLI is a standards-based registration system for ISL interpreters. It aims to strengthen and guarantee the quality of ISL provision in Ireland, by ensuring that Interpreters reach specified standards to be admitted on the Register. RISLI also aims to support ISL interpreters to meet and maintain these standards by partaking in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain their registration status. There are currently 86 ISL Interpreters on the Register.
In relation to Section 9, the establishment of the Register was a fundamental prerequisite for this commitment, in order to ensure that approved interpreters provide ISL interpreting as part of the scheme. Extensive consultation with the Deaf community and a review of international practice were undertaken by CIB and SLI to inform a model for the scheme. The commencement of a Pilot is now scheduled for Q2 2021, subject to compliance with public health guidelines in place at that time. The Pilot is scheduled to run for three months and will be subject to review in order to inform a proposal for national rollout.
In relation to my Department's commitments under Section 3 and Section 6 respectively, the Department provides an ISL Interpretation service to any customer who may request or need this service in order to interact or engage with the Department. An in-person or remote service is currently available and in person ISL Interpreting services can be arranged where essential. ISL Interpretation is provided free of charge to customers and the Department ensures that interpreters assigned to DSP are registered with RISLI.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
685. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the Acts falling under her Department that have been signed into law but have not been commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17452/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the legislation underpinning the social welfare code, occupational and private pensions, civil registration and gender recognition, and the Citizens Information Board/Comhairle.
Details of provisions in relation to the above that are yet to be commenced are set out in the following table.
|
Uncommenced Provision |
Description |
Status |
|
Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 |
||
|
Section 21(a) |
Amends section 149 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act in relation to entitlement to the Pre-Retirement Allowance (PRETA) where a person had previously been in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. |
As the PRETA scheme has been closed since 2007, this section will not require commencement. |
|
Section 27 |
Amends section 220 of the SWCA 2005 to enable payment of Child Benefit to be split between the child’s parents. |
There are no plans to commence this provision at present. |
|
Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2008 |
|
|
|
Sections 12 to 14 |
Inserts new Chapter 5A in Part 3 of the SWCA 2005 and makes consequential amendments to the provisions of that Act to provide for the transfer of the Blind Welfare Allowance from the HSE to the Department of Social Protection. |
This provision will be commenced when the necessary administrative arrangements have been agreed with the HSE and Department of Health. |
|
Section 17(5) |
Makes provision for the treatment of outstanding claims for Domiciliary Care Allowance held by the HSE on the transfer of administrative responsibility for that scheme to the Department of Social Protection. |
This provision is not required to be commenced. It related to the possible transfer of outstanding claims from a period in 2009 when the scheme transferred to DSP. There are no known instances where this is likely to be required. |
|
Section 27(i) |
Inserts section 64P into the Pensions Act 1990. |
Section 64P was originally inserted to provide trustees with flexibility to remove a particular registered administrator where they were unhappy with the service being provided or considered the administration fees excessive. Section 64P sought to achieve this flexibility by prohibiting the bundling of a registered administrator’s services with other services or products. It later transpired that it would be in breach of EU and domestic legislation for an insurer to act as a registered administrator, without also holding the underlying policy of insurance. As insurance companies would be unable to provide separate registered administrator services to comply with section 64P its commencement was revoked (S.I. 398 of 2008 refers). |
|
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 |
|
|
|
Section 3 |
Inserts new section 296A into the SWCA 2005 and makes consequential amendments to the provisions of that Act to clarify the rules relating to which parent a child will normally be regarded as residing with for social welfare payment purposes. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
|
Section 6 |
Confers power to make regulations to provide for the conditions under which a person is regarded as being incapable of work for the purposes of qualification for the payment of Illness Benefit. |
This provision will be commenced if the need arises. The intention behind these provisions has been met, in large part, by the introduction of the temporary enhanced IB payment in March 2020 to address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. |
|
Section 14 |
Amends section 220 of the SWCA 2005 to clarify the rules relating to which parent a child will normally be regarded as residing with for Child Benefit purposes. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
|
Citizens Information Act 2007 |
|
|
|
Section 5 |
Provides that a qualifying person, in the case of a person 18 years or over, is a person who in the opinion of the director is unable to obtain or has difficulty in obtaining a social service without the support of a personal advocate because of his or her disability. |
The Department continues to review this statutory provision, in consultation with the Citizens Information Board (CIB), with the view to identifying the most appropriate response to meet the advocacy needs of persons over 18 with disabilities. This includes the consideration that public policy in the area of disability has changed from a “best interest” approach to a "person-centred and rights-based" approach. Therefore, Section 5 of the 2007 Act may not be sufficiently comprehensive in light of societal and policy developments in the intervening years and additional or alternative statutory provisions may likely be required. |
|
Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002 |
|
|
|
Section 3 |
Inserts new Part X (sections 91 to 125) into the Pensions Act 1990, which provides for the establishment of Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs). Part X has been commenced with the exception of section 122 which provides for the replacement of buy-out bonds with PRSAs. A buy-out-bond is a pension bond into which persons can transfer the value of their fund if they leave their employment/ pension scheme. |
Originally, the intention was that new buy-out bonds would cease when PRSAs became available. However, it is considered that buy-out bonds will be required in the short to medium term. Consideration is being given to this at present as part of the Interdepartmental Pension Reform and Taxation Group. The situation will be kept under review in consultation with the Pensions Authority as part of this working group. |
|
Section 39 |
Inserts new section 56A into the Pensions Act 1990 to provide for the consideration of index-linked increases in the rates payable in Defined Benefit pension schemes. |
The situation in relation to this provision is being kept under review in consultation with the Pensions Authority. |
|
Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 |
||
|
Section 9 |
Clarifies the provisions contained in Part 6 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act (SWCA) 2005 in relation to entitlement to family income supplement (FIS) (now Working Family Payment) in cases where the claimant is living apart from his or her spouse or civil partner and children. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
|
Section 10 |
Clarifies the provisions contained in Part 6 of the SWCA 2005 relating to the impact of a change of circumstances on continuing entitlement to FIS during the 52 week entitlement period and on the weekly rate of FIS payable during that period. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
|
Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Act 2018 |
||
|
Section 14 |
Review of carer’s allowance payment.The Minister shall conduct a review and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the financial hardship faced by carers who must provide full-time care in order to receive carer’s allowance restricting them from taking up other work to supplement their income, examining their access to pension entitlements as well as the barriers to the labour market they face after a period of caring and that the report shall be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection within 6 months of the enactment of this Bill. |
The review was prepared by the Department and was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 28 August 2019. |
|
Section 19 |
Benchmarking of social welfare payment rates.The Minister shall consult with stakeholders on examining ways in which social welfare rates are increased with the aim of ensuring adequacy for all recipients and shall do so in quarter 1 of 2019. |
The consultation with stakeholders on this issue has taken place. |
|
Section 21 |
Review of means testing of maintenance payments.The Minister shall conduct a review and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the financial effects of the consideration of maintenance payments as household income in the means test for various social welfare payments and that the report shall be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection within 6 months of the enactment of this Bill. |
The report was completed and laid before the Oireachtas in June 2019. |
|
Section 24 |
Impact of BrexitThe Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection shall, when complete, share the analysis being conducted by her Department on the impact of Brexit on the reciprocal arrangements for social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes and child benefit between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. |
A report was prepared and submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee in August 2019. |
|
Section 25 |
Eligibility criteria for community employment schemes.The Minister shall review the eligibility criteria for community employment schemes for those aged 55 and over and, in particular, give consideration to allow those aged 55 and over participating on the scheme to do so on a continuous basis until they reach State pension age. The Minister shall bring forward a report on same within 3 months of this Bill being enacted. |
A report was prepared and submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee in August 2019. |
|
Section 26 |
Tús scheme.The Minister shall review the operation of the Tús scheme, in particular, the possibility of allowing Tús scheme participants to extend their participation on the scheme beyond one year with their host group whilst also participating on JobPath. The Minister shall bring forward a report on same within 3 months of this Bill being enacted. |
A report was prepared and submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee in August 2019. |
|
Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 |
||
|
Section 28 |
Amendment of section 58 of Act of 2005 Section 58 of the Act of 2005 is amended, in subsection (2), by the substitution of “Subject to this Act and section 6A of the Adoptive Leave Act 1995, an adopting parent shall be entitled to adoptive benefit” for “Subject to this Act, an adopting parent shall be entitled to adoptive benefit”. |
It is intended that this provision will be commenced in due course. |
|
Section 29 [part] |
Insofar as it relates to the insertion, in Part 2 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (26/2005), of paragraph (b)(ii)(III) of the definition of “relevant parent” in section 61F(1) of Chapter 11B. |
It is intended that this provision will be commenced in due course. |
|
Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 |
|
|
|
Section 31 |
Paragraph (b)(ii)(III) of the definition of “relevant parent” in section 61A(1) of Chapter 11A. |
It is intended that this provision will be commenced in due course. |
|
Civil Registration Act 2004 |
|
|
|
Section 4 and the Second Schedule |
Repeal various enactments dealing with civil registration matters prior to the enactment of the Civil Registration Act 2004. |
Section 4 and the Second Schedule have been commenced, except in so far as they relate to the repeal of the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1952. The repeal of the 1952 Act has been examined in the context of the commencement of section 73 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 – see section 73 below. |
|
Sections 13(1)(f) and (g) |
Provide for the establishment and maintenance of a register of all decrees of divorce and all decrees of nullity of marriage. |
Commencement of these provisions is not currently being proposed. |
|
Part 7 (section 59) |
Provides for the registration of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity of marriage. |
Commencement of this Part is not currently being proposed. |
|
Section 73 |
Provides for the compilation and publication of statistics relating to events registered under the Act. |
Section 73 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 mirrors the provisions contained in the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1952. Section 73 and section 4, in so far as it relates to the repeal of the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1952, will be commenced following examination of the effects of repealing the Act of 1952. |
|
Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 |
||
|
Section 6 |
This section amends section 22 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 and contains a number of amendments relating to the registration of the father’s name where the parents are not married |
Requires further amendment to section 22 to correct a drafting error. |
|
Section 12 |
Provides that early neonatal deaths are notified to the Superintendent Registrar of the area where the death occurred. |
Requires consultation with the HSE. |
|
Section 21(a) |
Amends section 59B of the Civil Registration Act 2004 (Notification of civil partnerships). |
No longer required. Superseded by the enactment of the Marriage Act 2015. |
|
Section 22 |
Amends section 59C of the Civil Registration Act 2004 (Civil partnership registration form). |
No longer required. Superseded by the enactment of the Marriage Act 2015. |
|
Section 29(c) |
Provides for sharing of information with the Road Safety Authority. |
Pending further clarification of Data Protection issues. |
|
Civil Registration Act 2019 |
||
|
Section 4 |
Amendment of section 22 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 regarding, in certain circumstances, rebuttal of automatic presumption of paternity in the birth registration process. |
Requires commencement of section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, which requires further amendment to section 22 to correct a drafting error. |
|
Section 6 |
Provides for greater involvement by a qualified informant (usually a family member) in the registration of a death by a coroner. |
It is intended to commence this section at the same time as Section 10(1)(c). |
|
Section 10(1)(c) |
Provides that the country of birth and the country of citizenship of a deceased person are to be added to the particulars of a death to be entered in the register of deaths. |
Requires development work to the civil registration computer system in advance of commencement. |
|
Section 11 |
Amendment of section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 regarding arrangements for registration of the names of unmarried fathers. |
Requires commencement of section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, which requires further amendment to section 22 to correct a drafting error. |
686. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a self-employed entitlement to a contributory State pension will be calculated from the date of entry into self-employment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17570/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the person concerned has not yet reached pension age, their entitlement can only be assessed on the basis of a formal State pension (contributory) application under the governing eligibility conditions when they reach pension age. On receipt of a completed application at that time, the person’s self-employment record will be verified. Their pension entitlement can then be determined by a Deciding Officer, and they will be notified of the outcome.
Under current eligibility conditions, applicants must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). Calculation of an applicant’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) is based on their social insurance record from their date of entry into insurable employment until pension age, currently 66 years.
PRSI for the self-employed was introduced from 6 April 1988. Under social welfare legislation, if an applicant became a self-employed contributor on 6 April 1988, and at any time prior to that date was an employed contributor, the date on which the applicant first entered into insurance or the 6 April 1988, whichever is the more favourable to them, shall be regarded as the date of entry into insurance.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned commenced paying self-employment (class S) contributions in the 1990/91 tax year. Since they did not pay class S social insurance on 6 April 1988 and began paying class S social insurance after this date, their date of entry must be taken from when they first entered insurable employment, the earlier date of 14 April 1976.
There is a gap in the person's social insurance record for the tax years from 1982/83 to 1989/90 inclusive. It is open to them to provide documentary evidence for these years to my Department for review of their record. The person concerned should also ensure that they have settled their self-employment liabilities in compliance with the requirements of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in advance of reaching pension age.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
687. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if workers participating on the job initiative scheme can remain in employment after reaching 66 years of age; the maximum age a person can remain on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17586/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Job Initiative (JI) programme provides full-time employment for people 35 years of age or over who qualified for the scheme having been unemployed for a minimum of 5 years. The Department provides financial support in the form of allowances and funding to assist with the JI programme including JI participant and team leader wages, materials and overheads grants.
Following a review of employment schemes in 2004, new recruitment onto Job Initiative (JI) ceased with effect from 10th November of that year. Current JI participants on the programme remain eligible to have their contracts renewed by the Managing Agent on an annual basis.
JI was established as a working age activation scheme and participants who continue to be funded through JI must therefore be of working age. As a consequence funding for JI participants is provided until the participant reaches 66, which is currently the state pension age. Thereafter JI participants may apply for a state pension upon retirement from the JI programme.
It is therefore not the Department's intention to extend participation on JI beyond the state retirement age which is currently set at 66.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
688. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a refund of the cost of a television licence for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17604/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Household benefits package was received from the wife of the person concerned on 29 October 2020. She was awarded the Household Benefit package, backdated to her 70th birthday on 9 August 2020.
The person concerned is not eligible for a refund in respect of the TV licence, as it was due for renewal before the date on which they became eligible and were approved for the Household Benefit package.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
689. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount her Department spends on public procurement disaggregated by spend on goods, services and capital works in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [17965/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe procurement of goods and services is essential to support my Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.
In accordance with FOI legislation with effect from January 2016, details of public contracts awarded over €25,000 are published quarterly on www.gov.ie. Details of the value for these goods and services for the years 2018 to 2020 are provided in tabular form below. My Department does not have a major capital works programme and any works required are undertaken through the Office of Public Works, in accordance with DPER circular 1/13.
690. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to introduce paid leave for employees who suffer a miscarriage before 24 weeks before which there is currently no statutory paid leave for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17398/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra728. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered introducing the option of paid leave for persons who have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17323/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 728 together.
I recognise that miscarriage and stillbirth are very tragic for parents. The Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004 provide for up to 26 weeks paid maternity leave, and a further 16 weeks unpaid leave for women whose pregnancy has been confirmed by a doctor/medical practitioner after the 24th week of pregnancy. In the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage occurring after the 24th week of pregnancy, the mother is entitled to take her full maternity leave. Paternity leave is also available to the relevant parent in the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage occurring any time after the 24th week of pregnancy.
691. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure that public consultation, on the development of a national model of parenting support services, is accessible to individuals with no Internet access, individuals who have difficulties using technology, persons with visual impairments, persons who speak Irish and persons who require plain English versions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17494/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a national model of parenting support services is a key action under First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028 which sets out a commitment to “develop a national model of parenting services, from universal to targeted provision, covering key stages of child development, taking account of parents and children in a range of contexts and parenting relationships.” The aim of the model is to develop a more coherent and strategic approach to the development and delivery of parenting support services so that all parents can access the support they need when they need it.
The public consultation launched last week forms part of a wider consultation plan to inform the development of a national model of parenting support services. The public consultation is one of a variety of consultative methods that are being employed to gather the views and insights of parents and other parenting support stakeholders. This includes a consultation conducted through interviews and focus groups with a wide range of parents. Summary reports of consultations completed to date can be found on the model's development information page on my Department's website. It is expected that further consultation with take place as key components of the model are developed.
I am conscious that there are a number of factors that can prevent individuals from participating. To address this, my Department has contacted a wide range of representative bodies and groups that work with parents to raise awareness of the consultation and, where necessary, to support parents to participate.
Additionally, to support accessibility the consultation questionnaire was developed using plain English and is hosted on EU Survey. EU Survey provides accessibility options including enhanced contrast for visually impaired participants and the option to complete the survey offline and submit at a later time when an internet connection is available. Participants can download the form in a PDF format and responses can also be submitted in Irish.
692. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the commencement of all sections of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17502/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy intention is to commence the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) in June 2022. The 2015 Act provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The 2015 Act is primarily the policy responsibility of my Department except for Part 8 of the 2015 Act which deals with advance healthcare planning and is the responsibility of the Department of Health.
My Department chairs the Inter-Departmental Steering Group (IDSG), previously under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality, which includes the Decision Support Service, the Mental Health Commission, the Courts Service, the HSE and the Department of Health. Its remit is to ensure that IDSG members are taking the actions necessary to ensure that the 2015 Act is commenced by June 2022. To this end I secured a budget of €5.8m for 2021 for the DSS to enable it to develop the necessary systems, including IT systems, to become operational. My officials are also working on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide necessary amendments to the 2015 Act, with the aim of enactment by year-end. In the meantime, I will commence any sections of the 2015 Act that I can, bearing in mind the interconnectedness of the Act. Last month I commenced section 7(1) which repealed the Marriage of Lunatics Act, 1811, and allows adults in wardship to marry if they have capacity to do so.
693. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a request by an organisation (details supplied) for a once-off bridging grant of €2 million to support and sustain scouting in view of Covid-19; his plans in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16320/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ongoing management of the organisation referred to by the Deputy is a matter for their Board, including the challenges being presented due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions.
My Department provides substantial funding to this organisation, which plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning. All of the youth funding provided by my Department has been maintained fully throughout the ongoing period of restrictions. In addition, I secured an increase in 2021 for youth services, including an increase for the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I have no plans to provide additional funding to this organisation.
My officials are in regular contact with youth sector representatives in relation to the impact of the pandemic and associated health restrictions. It is of importance that Exchequer funding to youth services nationally is protected and I am satisfied that Government has been able to continue to support them. My officials will continue to work closely with youth organisations and will actively monitor the situation.
694. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a one-off grant of €2 million to an organisation (details supplied) to help it deal with the shortage of funds it is experiencing due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16400/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ongoing management of the organisation referred to by the Deputy is a matter for their Board, including the challenges being presented due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions.
My Department provides substantial funding to this organisation, which plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning. All of the youth funding provided by my Department has been maintained fully throughout the ongoing period of restrictions. In addition, I secured an increase in 2021 for youth services, including an increase for the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I have no plans to provide additional funding to this organisation.
My officials are in regular contact with youth sector representatives in relation to the impact of the pandemic and associated health restrictions. It is of importance that Exchequer funding to youth services nationally is protected and I am satisfied that Government has been able to continue to support them. My officials will continue to work closely with youth organisations and will actively monitor the situation.
