Written Answers Nos. 721-740
721. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a request to retain a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with particular reference to the fact that both employee and employer wish to maintain the status quo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42825/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
My Department has supported CE schemes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. CE participants, whose contracts were due to end during the periods of restrictions, have had their contracts extended for the duration of those restrictions.
In June this year, I announced that the existing CE participants' contract extension date would be further extended until 29/10/2021 and that the conclusion of these places would be undertaken on a coordinated and phased basis. Over 11,000 CE and Tús participants are benefiting from this latest contract extension up to the end of October next. This approach will give participants time to complete training and work experience, while also supporting the delivery of important community services.
While the extension of placements helps to alleviate immediate pressures, it is important to note that CE placements are intended to be temporary and subject to time limits. This is to ensure the continued availability of places on CE schemes for other candidates. The current extensions will therefore be reviewed as the economy re-opens and it is hoped that we can return to a normal level of throughput in order that places will be available to new candidates including those displaced from employment due to COVID-19.
The person concerned commenced on the CE scheme on 15/10/2018 and will have completed his 3 years allowable on CE on 08/10/2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the person concerned received an extension to 29/10/2021.
During his time on CE, the person concerned has received relevant work experience in the area of maintenance, caretaking and grounds work. He has completed certification in industry related courses such as Workplace Safety, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, Safe Pass, Abrasive Wheels and Handheld Pesticide Applications. In advance of leaving the project, the CE Supervisor will help him prepare an exit plan to assist his return to the labour market.
On finishing CE, the person concerned may be referred to my Department’s JobPath service who can work with him to ensure that the benefits of the experience and training received during his time on CE are maximised. The person concerned may receive one-to-one intensive and regular engagement with a personal adviser who can assess his skills, experience, challenges and work goals and assist him in finding full-time sustainable employment. This process can also help identify potential employment opportunities and can offer support to overcoming any barriers to employment. A person may re-qualify for CE after a period of one year in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, subject to not having exceeded the lifetime maximum period on CE.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. CE will continue to be made available to support those who are long-term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market, while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
722. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a request to retain a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with particular reference to the fact that both employee and employer wish to maintain the status quo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42826/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
The person concerned commenced on the CE scheme on 30/04/2018 and completed his 3 years allowable on CE on 23/04/2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the person concerned received an extension to 02/07/2021 which has now been further extended to at least 29/10/2021.
CE participants aged 62 years and over who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for further participation under the Service Support Stream (SSS). Participation is subject to the availability of SSS places, satisfactory performance on the CE scheme, recommendation by the Scheme Sponsor and annual approval by my Department. It is open to the person concerned to apply for a place under the SSS option with effect from 01/11/2021 and if successful he may remain on the scheme until he reaches State pension age on 08/03/2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
723. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the tendering processes that were followed in respect of the allocation of contracts under the JobPath programme in 2021; the number of applications received under each tender; the process by which they were evaluated; the areas tenders allocated in 2021 cover; the length of each successful new contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42866/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tenders for the JobPath service were published in December 2013 and Jobpath contracts were awarded in July 2015. Both contracts for the JobPath service were subsequently extended to maintain the service for 2020 and, subsequently, 2021. There was no tendering process, applications, evaluation, allocation or new contracts associated with the JobPath service in 2021.
For the Deputies information there has a been a more recent procurement process for a Regional Employment Service in four lots covering seven counties in the Midlands and North-West. My Department sought tenders for four lots covering Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, Longford and Westmeath and Laois and Offaly. This procurement process is still ongoing.
Phase two of the procurement of the Regional Employment Service will commence shortly following further engagement with service partners and the incorporation of learnings from phase one.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
724. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to long waiting periods experienced by persons needing to obtain a public services card; and the steps her Department is taking to ensure the card can be obtained as soon as possible for the purpose of accessing important public services. [42887/21]
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). It is not possible for someone who does not already have a PSC to acquire one without attending an in-person appointment.
Any person who requires a PSC should contact their local DSP office.
My Department carries out an average of 1,000 PSC appointments each day, across its nationwide office network.
It is the case that some offices of the Department are experiencing high levels of demand for appointments. Additional staff are being assigned to increase the capacity in our offices in respect of such appointments, and that capacity will be increased over the coming weeks and will address the number of applications pending.
In respect of those customers who already have a PSC but wish to renew their card, they have the option of contacting their local office for an appointment or they can use the new online PSC renewal service which is available on MyWelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
725. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider an independent review into the activities of social welfare inspectors at ports and airports with a view to establishing the number of persons’ claims for social welfare payments that were suspended on foot of airport checks; the manner in which flights were selected for such checks; the way this activity was in keeping with complainants' rights to fair procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42911/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of my Department's obligations to ensure proper delivery of its service and compliance with the various scheme conditions, including that Exchequer resources provided for those schemes are protected, Social Welfare Inspectors are required to carry out a range of inspections. These include desk-based assessments of customer claims, face-to-face interviews with customers, home visits, and audits of employers’ PRSI records.
The appointment and duties of Social Welfare Inspectors are provided for in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. Under the provisions of this Act, social welfare inspectors have powers to attend at ports and airports and make enquiries for the purposes of the control and compliance of social welfare schemes. Inspectors have been undertaking control checks at airports and ports since 2012.
Social Welfare Inspectors operate under a code of practice which sets out the manner in which they are required to deal with customers. My Department also has a Customer Charter in place which sets out what a customer should expect when they contact, or are contacted by, the Department. Where a review of a claim results in a disallowance, the customer is entitled to the reasons for the decision and has a right of appeal or review.
My Department has no plans to enact a review for social welfare inspections at ports and airports, and which are provided for by statute, given the existing code of practice and Customer Charter already in place to deal with any issues which may arise.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
726. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the nature of any data collected by her Department relating to social welfare inspectors making home visits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra727. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of home visits carried out by social welfare inspectors in 2020 by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42916/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 726 and 727 together.
As part of my Department's obligations to ensure proper delivery of its service and compliance with the various scheme conditions, Social Welfare Inspectors are required to carry out a range of inspections. The appointment and duties of Social Welfare Inspectors are provided for in Section 250 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. These outline the requirement for a claimant to give an inspector information and any documents that s/he may require for the purposes of an investigation.
The social welfare inspector considers what investigative approach is required and is most appropriate to the case including desk-based assessments of customer claims, face-to-face interviews with customers, home visits, and audits of employers’ PRSI records.
The nature of the data collected is contingent on the scheme for which an application is being made. If, for example, eligibility for the scheme involves a means assessment, then information and data necessary to assess means will be sought. This might include details of earnings and/or income from employment or self-employment, or details of assets such as capital or property.
My Department has a Customer Charter in place which sets out what a customer should expect when they contact, or are contacted by, the Department. Inspectors operate under a code of practice which sets out the manner in which they are required to deal with customers. The code requires that customers must at all times be treated equally, fairly, with respect and dignity, as outlined in the Customer Charter.
As regards the information sought by the Deputy on the number of home visits carried out by social welfare inspectors in 2020 by county, it is not possible to provide this as this information is not collated by the Department. Where appropriate, details of home visits by Social Welfare Inspectors may be included in individual case reports. Statistical information is not available from this source.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
728. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if her ministerial phones have been hacked or attempted to be hacked during her term of office. [42932/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra729. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has ever used her personal phones for Government business; and if so, if the personal phones have been hacked during her term of office. [42950/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 728 and 729 together.
I am not aware of any attempt to hack my phone.
730. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of freedom of information requests responded to by her Department in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of responses that included documents related to text messages and other phone message communications such as messages sent through an application (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42972/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department since 2016 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Number of FOI Requests |
|
2016 |
2,089 |
|
2017 |
2,443 |
|
2018 |
2,510 |
|
2019 |
2,614 |
|
2020 |
1,706 |
|
2021 to date |
1,099 |
|
TOTAL |
12,461 |
17 requests received over the period in question did specify the application referred to and-or text messages in the wording of the request.
731. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of each commission of investigation under the remit of her Department over the preceding decade. [42998/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo commissions of investigation under the aegis of my Department were established in the period of time outlined by the Deputy.
732. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the Pensions Commission will finalise its report and submit it; if a timeline is in place for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43010/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. The Commission was also asked in its Terms of Reference to examine the issue of retirement ages in employment contracts that are set below the State Pension qualifying age, and how to further accommodate long-term carers in the State Pensions system.
This was a major and complex body of work. The Commission had 18 meetings, and held a public consultation process including a Stakeholder Forum. Details of the Commission's work can be found on its website, pensionscommission.gov.ie.
The Pensions Commission formally submitted its report to me earlier this week. I will now consider the report and then take it to Government. The Government will need time to work through the Commission’s recommendations and make decisions. It has committed to taking action within six months of receipt of the Commission’s report.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
733. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of formal and informal roles held by a person (details supplied) in the name of her Department or associated agency in the lifetime of this Government; when the person was appointed to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43043/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo formal or informal roles were held by the person referred to in either the Department of Social Protection or the bodies under its aegis during the lifetime of this Government.
734. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a widower's pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43048/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person claiming widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension must provide evidence that they are the legal widow, widower or surviving civil partner. The original civil marriage certificate which has already been provided by the person concerned does not provide the civil status of either of the parties to the marriage.
The person concerned has been requested to furnish the marriage licence, which provides this necessary information, so that his claim can be given further consideration. Once the marriage license is received, his claim to widower's contributory pension will be examined and he will be notified of outcome without delay.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
735. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she and-or her special advisers and-or officials use or have used services (details supplied) to communicate in the past 18 months. [43079/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe services mentioned by the Deputy are not part of the portfolio of applications issued on Department of Social Protection computers or mobile devices and are not used to transact departmental business.
736. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is involved in the resettlement plans for Afghani citizens following the takeover of the government of Afghanistan by the Taliban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42178/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that in response to the crisis in Afghanistan, approximately 330 places have been made available for humanitarian cases from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Priority has been given to those working on human rights issues, including the rights of women, girls, and minorities, as well as those working with NGOs and European and international organisations.
The matter will be kept under review.
737. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase resettlement places for Afghan refugees and provide additional support and assistance for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and participate in the wider EU redistribution. [42794/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra738. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will commit to resettle a minimum of 1,000 Afghan refugees. [42795/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 738 together.
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the Government responded to the crisis in Afghanistan by announcing the provision of approximately 300 places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) for those most at risk in Afghanistan, including those working on human rights issues and on the rights of women and girls and minorities specifically, as well as those working with NGOs and international organisations and media.
This decision will be kept under review as the situation evolves.
There are capacity and resourcing issues for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme which my Department will also keep under review.
739. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the legislation to provide for a right to flexible working will be published; when he plans to have it passed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42862/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 9 of Directive 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers provides that Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that workers with children up to a specified age, which shall be at least eight years, and carers, have the right to request flexible working arrangements for caring purposes. The date for transposition of the Directive is 2 August 2022.
While many of the provisions of the Directive are already in place or have been implemented, there remain a small number yet to be translated into Irish law and procedures. I intend to bring to Government in the coming months legislative proposals fully to implement the Directive including with regard to a right to request flexible working.
The Tánaiste is separately developing proposals on a right to request remote working.
740. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications received from communities under the community sponsorship Ireland scheme for refugees each year since it was incepted; the number of these applications that have been completed; the number of families accommodated each year under this scheme; the total number of refugees involved; the locations that have been successful with their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43083/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy the following information in relation to community sponsorship:
the number of applications received from communities under the community sponsorship Ireland scheme for refugees each year since it was incepted:
2018 - 2
2019 - 16
2020 - 7
2021 - 4
Total - 29
All applications received by the Irish Refugee Protection Programme of my Department to date have been completed, reviewed and approved.
Q: the number of families accommodated each year under this scheme;
A: One family per group – currently 13 families (55 individuals).
2018 - 1
2019 - 7
2020 - 1
2021 - 4
There are a further 4 families scheduled to arrive and be accommodated with groups next week.
To date the total number of refugees involved is 55 individuals in 13 families From next week there will be an additional 4 families and 14 individuals).
Locations that have been successful with their applications:
Kinsale
Dunshaughlin
Carraigaline
Midleton x 2
Dublin 6
Kells, Co Meath
Killester, Dublin 5
Dublin 8
Tallow, Waterford
Clane
Lismore, Waterford
Carrigtwohill
Families are being settled next week in the following locations:
Ovens, Co Cork
Navan, Co Meath
Naas, Co Kildare
Dublin 5
Further applications at differing stages of the process are recorded from the following locations:
North County Dublin
Cork City
Cahirciveen
Cape Clear
Enniskerry
Roundwood
Meath
Raheny, Dublin 5
Baltinglass
Wexford
Dun Laoghaire
Dalkey
Co Westmeath
Tipperary
Co Clare
Co Mayo.
