Written Answers Nos. 1050-1069
1050. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the amount of capital funding that her Department has provided to a school (details supplied) in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [44343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount of capital funding provided for the school to which the Deputy refers is detailed below.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total Capital Spend |
|
Total Capital Spend |
€ 13,705 |
€ 36,042 |
€ 27,200 |
€ 21,476 |
€ 98,423 |
1051. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the domiciliary care allowance to children aged 16 and 17 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44118/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of a child with a disability so severe that the child requires ongoing (continual or continuous) care and attention substantially in excess of that usually required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. Eligibility is established primarily on the additional care required by the child rather than the child's disability.
A total of 4,333 children will cease being eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance during 2022, as they will have reached 16 years of age. If those children continued to be qualified after their 16th birthday, the additional cost in DCA payments would be of the order of €16.1 million per annum. The Carer's support grant and Carer's Allowance, where applicable, would also be payable and incur additional costs.
As a proportion of those customers in respect of whom DCA is currently being paid would be expected to transition to the Disability Allowance scheme on reaching age 16, it would be necessary to reform the conditionality of the DA scheme too if changes were to be introduced to the DCA scheme.
It would be imperative when deciding on any changes to schemes, including changes to the age limits, that any such changes are considered in an overall policy and budgetary context and that any unintended negative consequences are avoided
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1052. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the domiciliary care allowance by €20 per month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44119/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated full year cost of increasing the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance by €20 per month is €11.2 million.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
Any increase in the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1053. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend free travel to persons diagnosed with epilepsy given that they are no longer permitted to drive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44166/22]
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 approximately 1,034,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland and recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy and who is unable to drive as a result of their condition. I have met with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail.
Following the meeting, I asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland. This work is still ongoing.
Any changes to the Free Travel Scheme will also need to be considered in the Budgetary context.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person'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.
1054. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an organisation (details supplied) has at times used the catalyst questionnaire to identify children as challenges for parents seeking employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41995/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to Turas Nua which is one of the contracted providers of the JobPath service. Understanding customers and their requirements and achievements is a vital part of the activation service of my Department both through its internal Intreo service and the Intreo Partners contracted services of which JobPath is a part. The services ensure, that the customer is provided with tailored support that meets their individual needs.
Turas Nua’s Catalyst tool is designed to identify and prioritise the customer’s strengths and skills, as well as areas for development and any potential barriers to employment. The Catalyst assessment identifies where a customer may require additional support based on their responses. The Catalyst assessment includes a small number of questions to identify where a customer may need to discuss alternative welfare options with their local Intreo centre or Social Welfare branch office.
I recognise that access to adequate or affordable childcare can be a challenge to gaining and sustaining employment, and this is often a concern for parents re-entering the workforce. Intreo Partners service providers do not consider children to be a barrier to employment and, if a customer is already satisfied that they have adequate childcare in place and expresses no concerns regarding same, it is not necessary to discuss this in any further detail. If a customer requires assistance in child care options, the service provider will provide information on options and financial supports available.
Intreo Partners Personal Advisors may discuss remote working options or alternative job goals with more flexible shift options, to better facilitate any concerns a customer may have about childcare costs or accessibility. They also advise customers of in-work financial supports such as the Working Family Payment (WFP) and Back to Work Family Dividend, which can be provided by my Department to supplement the income of employees with dependent children.
I trust that information is of assistance to the Deputy.
1055. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a working family payment claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work weekly payment which provides additional income support to employees, on low earnings, with children.
An application for WFP renewal was received from the person on 22nd June 2022.
Further employment information was requested from the person on 15th July 2022. The Department received a reply to this request on 29th July 2022.
On 16th August 2022 a deciding officer reviewed the application, and the person was awarded WFP from 23rd June 2022 at a rate of €211.00 weekly. Any arrears due have issued to the person nominated bank account. A letter was issued to the home address of the person informing her of the decision.
The rate of WFP awarded will continue for 52 weeks providing the person continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the WFP scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1056. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 108 and 149 of 14 July 2022, the reason the figures on refused, discontinued and-or disallowed applications for fuel allowance are not complied and available (details supplied); if she plans to supply the information requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made to some 370,000 households over the winter season at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
The Fuel Allowance is paid, in conjunction with primary social welfare schemes, across a number of IT systems with differing functionality for recording processing activity, and consequently precise information on refused, discontinued and disallowed applications is not available. As the Department upgrades these systems, it is expected that this data will become available in the future.
The most common reasons for disallowance, or loss of entitlement, include termination of the primary qualifying scheme payment; where the means of a customer or household exceeds the permissible threshold; an applicant resides with a non-qualified person (for example, someone in employment); or an applicant resides with another person who is already in receipt of Fuel Allowance.
Where an application is disallowed, or an entitlement is lost, it is open to the person to re-apply if there is a change in their circumstances.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1057. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department is deeming persons in receipt of approved retirement funds to be still engaged in self-employment and not to be eligible for benefit payment for 65-year-olds; her views on this interpretation of the legislation by her officials; if the matter will be clarified for the many holders of approved retirement funds under 65 years who will in due course be affected by this interpretation of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42013/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1173. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has reviewed the issue regarding class S PRSI contributions arising solely from personal pensions in the context of eligibility for the payment for those over 65 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44016/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1057 and 1173 together.
The Benefit Payment for 65 year olds is provided under the Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit Self-Employed social insurance schemes and decisions are made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended.
Class S self-employed contributors pay PRSI on a wide variety of self-employment income. These contributions help to ensure that individuals qualify for social welfare benefits, including pensions. Individuals who continue to pay Class S PRSI on an approved retirement fund may not satisfy the conditions for Benefit Payment for 65 year olds.
I agree that this matter warrants consideration and so I have asked officials to examine the matter further and to bring forward proposals on how the issues concerned might best be addressed at an early date.
I hope that this clarifies the position at this time.
1058. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a fair severance package will be given to employers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42061/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has recently undertaken the procurement of a number of employment services as the contracts of existing services were lapsing. Competitive procurements for these services are required under EU law.
In Kerry, my Department recently awarded a contract for the provision of employment services to North East and West Kerry Development (NEWKD). South-Kerry Development Partnership, as sub-contractor, will be a key partner in the delivery of these key services.
This new Intreo Partners employment service is expected to begin receiving referrals of long-term unemployed clients shortly. A key aspect of the service is the provision of services throughout the county, including Tralee.
While my Department's focus is on ensuring the provision of quality services to the unemployed, I would welcome the retention of high-skilled and experienced staff in the provision of these services, where possible.
In addition, officials in my Department have engaged intensively with both SIPTU and Forsa in recent months regarding their concerns for their members employed in activation services. The most recent meeting was last week with a commitment to ongoing engagement. In the event of any redundancies arising it is a matter for the employer to ensure that provision is made for their employees. In the event that an employer is unable to meet their responsibilities in regard to redundancy payments, then the Redundancy and Insolvency service of my Department is available to assist.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1059. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on categorising long Covid as a disability or an occupational injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42087/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme. This is a group of benefits for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling directly to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do. The benefits under this scheme include: Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance and the Medical Care Scheme.
Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and
(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.
I do not intend adding Covid-19 or people suffering long-term effects of Covid-19 to the list of prescribed diseases as they do not meet the criteria as laid down in the Act.
My Department provides a wide range of income supports for those who cannot work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is usually not contingent on the nature of the illness/disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
Enhanced Illness Benefit, introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is payable for a maximum of 10 weeks to those who are eligible.
If a person continues to be ill with Covid-19 beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for a maximum of two years, based on continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support for people who are unable to work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
If a person develops a condition or a disability that makes them unable to attend work permanently or for an extended period of time they might be eligible to apply for a long-term disability or incapacity payment.
Disability Allowance is a social assistance payment provided to those between 16-66 years of age who cannot work due a disability and who satisfy the residency condition. This is a means-tested payment.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and are covered by social insurance (PRSI).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1060. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason sole traders who are self-employed have not received continuing support in the post-Covid period, given that an employee who has been made redundant, regardless of the amount of redundancy payment received, will automatically receive nine months' jobseeker’s benefit prior to being transferred onto a means tested benefit and in view of the fact that that jobseeker's benefit is available for the self-employed but in order to qualify a person must not be engaged in self-employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42113/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1061. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that sole traders in the self-employment sector are not treated in the same manner as persons who are ex-employees; the reason that existing sole traders are not offered assistance in the same way that support is offered to new self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42115/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1060 and 1061 together.
My Department provides a range of income supports for both employees and self-employed people, while recognising the differences in these types of employment.
Employees who are fully unemployed or working up to 3 days per week may receive Jobseeker's Benefit provided that they satisfy the qualifying conditions, including having the necessary social insurance contributions. If their employer has reduced the employee's working days, they may be entitled to Short Time Work Support depending on the circumstances.
A person who has been made redundant and is aged under 55 may be disqualified from receiving Jobseeker's Benefit for a period of up to 9 weeks from the last date of employment if they have received or are entitled to a payment in excess of €50,000 under the Redundancy Payments Acts or under an agreement with his/her employer. After the period of disqualification the jobseeker must satisfy the qualifying conditions in order to receive Jobseeker's Benefit; there is no automatic entitlement to the benefit. After a person has exhausted their Jobseeker's Benefit entitlement, they may qualify for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme.
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed is a social insurance contribution based income support payment for qualifying self-employed people, which was introduced in November 2019. Many of the features of this benefit scheme are similar to Jobseeker's Benefit. These include the duration and the rates of payment, including increases for adult and child dependents. Other fundamental conditions that apply to both schemes are that the person must be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. Similarly, a self-employed person can work for up to 3 days as employee in insurable employment and retain their entitlement.
Not all features of both schemes are the same which reflects the differences that exist between the nature of self-employment and working as an employee. To qualify for payment for a self-employed person, a claimant must meet the conditions for the scheme including the condition of not being engaged in self-employment. Where a self-employed person, including those who may be operating at reduced levels, does not meet the conditions for Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed they may receive support under the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance provided that they satisfy the conditions of that scheme. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment provides a range of tailored supports for businesses.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed, including those who may previously have been self-employed, and who are interested in self-employment through the establishment of a new business as a route to entering the labour market. Alternatively, a person may be eligible for the Short Term Enterprise Allowance which is paid instead of the Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed payment where a person sets up a new business.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
1062. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance payment currently under appeal will be approved for a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing will be arranged for the applicant if necessary; and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [42159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14 June 2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4 July 2022 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 8 July 2022.
The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1063. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the legislation will be amended to facilitate applicants who take up employment whilst their partial capacity application is processing or who apply shortly after to make a late claim (details supplied). [42173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Partial Capacity Benefit scheme allows a person who is in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for 26 weeks) to enter or return to employment or self-employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment.
Following a medical assessment, if a person's restriction regarding their capacity for work is rated as moderate, severe or profound their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% of their previous payment while in employment. Partial Capacity Benefit has also been designed so there are no restrictions/limits on earnings from employment or on the number of hours a person can work.
Partial Capacity Benefit applications are decided as expeditiously as possible and currently there is no delay in processing.
I have asked my officials to examine the issue raised by the Deputy in the context of the legislation underpinning the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme.
1064. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the process in cases in which a person requires a personal public service number to access urgent or emergency medical services but has not yet been assigned a number; if a PPSN can be allocated for that purpose; if so, the timeframe for obtaining a PPSN in these circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42181/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the allocation of Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN) where a person requires one for employment purposes or to access public services.
Any person residing in the State who requires a PPSN can apply either online at MyWelfare.ie or by contacting their nearest Intreo Centre.
My Department expedites applications where it is made aware that a PPSN is required urgently for any reason; in such cases, a PPSN can be issued immediately.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1065. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received a budget proposal from an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received the Pre-Budget Submission from the Family Carers Ireland group.
I was very grateful for the time and effort taken by Family Carers Ireland in producing this submission and in drawing these suggestions to my attention, as I am with all of the community and voluntary groups representing a wide range of cohorts within Irish society, all of whom advocate their position with clarity and strength.
Many of the suggestions addressed in the Family Carers Ireland's submission are similar to suggestions made to me and to the Department as part of our engagement with stakeholders, through the pre-budget process. This has included the receipt of many pre-Budget submissions, the Department’s Pre-budget Forum, the Social Inclusion Forum and bilateral meetings with the both the community and voluntary sector and individual representative groups.
As with all of these engagements, the views and recommendations of Family Carers Ireland will form part of consideration by Government when forming social welfare measures to be included as part of Budget 2023, taking account of Government priorities, available resources, and the need to protect the most vulnerable in society
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1066. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to provide pay restoration to those on the job initiative scheme and the community employment scheme, similar to pay restoration provided for the public service in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJob Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities.
Community 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 programmes are delivered through independent JI managing agents and CE sponsoring authorities who receive state funding from my department to cover the cost of remuneration, training and material costs. CE and JI participants, team leaders and supervisors are employees of CE sponsoring authorities and JI managing agents in the community and voluntary sector. As the people concerned are not public service employees they were not subject to public service pay reductions under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) which only applied to public servants and therefore the issue of pay restoration does not apply.
Pay and conditions are matters for the employer and not my department - as the employees concerned are not public servants, but employees of individual schemes. Any increase in participants' payment rates that would potentially increase the overall costs of running schemes and would need to be considered in the wider budgetary context.
JI & CE participants have however benefited from a number of Social Welfare payment increases in recent years.
Most recently the JI rate was increased by €10 in Budget 2022. The current rate for JI participants, who are employed 39 hours per week, is now €461.00. In addition, JI participants can also receive other Social Welfare benefits such as the annual Christmas Bonus.
The payment rates on CE are related to the underlying social protection payments plus €22.50 per week. In addition, a participant may be eligible, where appropriate, for payments in respect of any qualified dependent adult and children.
CE participants, who work 19.5 hours a week, have also availed of a number of increases to Social Welfare payments; most recently increases that took effect in January 2022 as part of measures introduced by Government in Budget 2022.
The department acknowledges the valuable and dedicated service that CE & JI participants, team leaders and supervisors provide in delivering local based community services. The department is fully committed to the future of employment support programmes and will continue to support and improve them for the benefit of the supervisors, team leaders and participants, given the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
Any change to payment rates to participants on JI and CE would have to be examined at Budget time, in line with budgetary priorities and commitments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1067. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the present rate of payment for a breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner and hot meal, respectively, under the school meals local projects scheme; when these rates of payment were set in each case; if it is intended to raise these in line with the increasing cost of food, labour and transport since the rates were set; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations and benefitting 260,000 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.
Budget 2022 provided €68.1 million for the programme with an additional €9m provided to allow access to all new DEIS schools from September 2022.
Funding under the school meals programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided. Full details of the rates are provided in the attached tabular statement.
The current rates have not changed since 2003 except for the hot school meal option which was introduced in 2019.
I am committed to continuing to expand the school meals programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme in recent years. In this regard, I have commissioned an evaluation of the school meals programme, which is currently underway. As part of this review, all elements of the programme, including rates, will be considered.
Any decisions regarding the school meals programme will also need to be considered in the context of this review and the budgetary process.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Table 1: Rates of payment for the School Meals Programme
|
Meal |
Max Rate of Payment (per child per day) |
Minimum number of food items |
Examples of Food to be Provided |
|
Breakfast/Snack |
€0.60 |
2 items |
1 serving of wholemeal/wholegrain cereal or bread PLUS 1 serving of fruit OR 1 serving of milk, yogurt or cheese |
|
Cold Lunch |
€1.40 |
1 substantial item + 1 small item + a drink |
Wholemeal/wholegrain sandwich or roll containing 1 serving meat, poultry, egg or cheese and 1 serving salad PLUS 1 serving fruit PLUS a drink (for example: water, milk, unsweetened juice) |
|
Dinner |
€1.90 |
Hot meal + drink |
1 serving meat, poultry, egg, beans PLUS 1 serving potatoes, pasta or rice PLUS 2 servings vegetables/fruit PLUS a drink (Milk, Water, Unsweetened Juice) |
|
Hot Meal |
€2.90 |
Hot Meal |
Per nutritional standards document |
1068. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the current arrangements in place in relation to one-member pension schemes; if she intends reforming the PRSA arrangements to facilitate the needs of one-member pension schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42236/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective (EU) 2016/2341 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 on the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision (IORPs) (‘IORP II’), which became effective from 13 January 2019, sets out minimum standards for the management and supervision of pension schemes, with the objective of ensuring the soundness of occupational pensions and better protections for scheme members and beneficiaries across the European Union.
IORP II requirements were transposed into Irish law by way of the European Union (Occupational Pension Schemes) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 128 of 2021) which came into force on 22nd April 2021.
The general principle followed in respect of the transposition of IORP II, in keeping with the Government’s Roadmap for Pensions Reform, is that the requirements of IORP II apply to all schemes and trust RACs, including one-member arrangements (‘OMAs’). This is in order to ensure that all members and beneficiaries are afforded equal protection irrespective of the size of the pension arrangement. It should be noted that the decision to apply the requirements of IORP II to all schemes and trust RACs was announced by the Government in 2019 and it was expected that trustees and insurance providers would have been preparing for compliance with these requirements in advance of transposition.
The application of IORP II is prospective, not retrospective. This means that existing investments made, or borrowings entered into, by OMAs prior to S.I. No. 128 of 2021 coming into force on 22nd April 2021, can remain in place. As of that date
- in the case of OMAs which were already established
- IORP II investment and borrowing rules will apply only to new investments or borrowings entered into by such arrangements, and
- a five-year derogation from that date applies in respect of other new IORP II requirements,
- in the case of OMAs established on or after that date, such arrangements are required to meet all new IORP II related requirements set out under the 1990 Act, where applicable, from the date on which they were established. From a supervision perspective, the Pensions Authority applied a deadline of 1st July 2022 in respect of OMAs' compliance with those new requirements.
The Pensions Authority, which is the regulator for pensions in Ireland, is an independent statutory body, and, consequently, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be possible or appropriate to interfere with the Pensions Authority’s compliance supervision function or to direct the Pensions Authority to extend any compliance deadline.
The Report of the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Group (IDPRTG), which was published in late 2020, set out a number of measures to help advance the goal of simplifying and harmonising the supplementary pension landscape including some recommendations in relation to PRSAs. A group comprising officials from the relevant Departments and organisations reconvened in 2021 to consider implementation of the various recommendations. To this end, a package of measures was enacted in the Finance Act 2021 which included: the removal of a prohibition of transfers from an occupational pension scheme to a Personal Retirement Savings Account for members with more than 15 years’ service; the abolition of the Approved Minimum Retirement Fund; and the extension of an Approved Retirement Fund option to death-in-service benefits.
The IDPRTG implementation group continues its work considering the various recommendations with a view to bringing further reform measures to legislative effective as soon as possible. In this regard, a number of proposals from the 2020 Report are currently being examined and worked on. Among these are changes relating to the tax treatment of contributions to PRSAs, which are ultimately a matter for the Department of Finance. Of course, any measures requiring legislative change will have to complete legislative passage through the Oireachtas.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1069. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to concerns (details supplied); if she will confirm when she will be in a position to meet with representatives of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities, managed by my department. The funding for the programme amounted to around €16 million and was provided jointly under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer.
The Ability Programme concluded at the end of August 2021 and, in line with commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy, the Final Evaluation of the Programme was published.
Last year, I put a plan in place to allow for the transition of the remaining Ability providers and participants to new arrangements and this was agreed with the Ability Providers Subgroup following a meeting with this group. This included a two-month extension to the 26 organisations still operating under the programme at that time.
The current Dormant Accounts Fund Measure to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities was a new employment support measure for people with disabilities. On 30 July last year I announced that 45 projects had been funded up to an amount of €7.6 million. This programme began in September and runs up to the end of 2022. All organisations were notified of the relevant timelines in advance, and this was clearly indicated in the Call for Applications in April of last year. All 27 organisations who received funding under the former Ability Programme were successful in securing funding under this new measure.
It was agreed that a new employment programme for people with disabilities would be included in the new Operational Programme for Ireland under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027. This new disability focused employment measure will build on the learnings of the former Ability Programme. The new programme will also need to add complementarity to the suite of existing employment supports targeted at people with disabilities provided by my department and broader national strategies for employment of people with disabilities, including the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
The ESF Managing Authority in Ireland - based in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - has compiled the Operational Programme for Ireland which has been approved by Government. The Operational Programme has been formally submitted to the European Commission. It is expected that Commission approval will be communicated in the latter part of the year.
Once approval is in place, it is anticipated that the new disability programme will be open by way of a competitive process in 2023 to applications from organisations across the country including the 27 former Ability Programme organisations.
I can assure the Deputy that my commitment in relation to providing funding supports to improve the employment possibilities of people with disabilities has not been found wanting to date and that the concern raised by the Deputy is recognised. The Deputy will understand that commitments regarding the allocation of public expenditure are subject to the overall budgetary context and will be considered in that context over the coming weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy at this time.
