Bernard Durkan
Ceist:318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55292/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersonal Public Service Numbers
Ceisteanna (318)
Freagraí scríofa
A Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is a unique reference number that helps a person access social welfare benefits and public services in Ireland. If applying for a PPS Number to take up employment, a person must have a signed offer of employment from the employer confirming when the job is due to start or when it started. This letter should be on company headed paper with the employer’s contact details and employer/company registered number. A person does not need a PPS Number if they are looking for work or for an employer to make an offer of employment.
The person concerned applied for a PPS Number on 17/10/2021. The application was referred back to the person concerned on 09/11/2021 as the documentation submitted was insufficient to process her application and she was asked to provide a signed letter from an employer confirming an offer of employment.
It is open to the person concerned to submit the requested documentation and her application will be processed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (319)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:319. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rural social scheme supervisors are excluded from the package her Department is offering community employment supervisors and community employment assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55311/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors.
Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.
These discussions were held on the clear agreement of all involved that they related solely to those parties who were the subject of the 2008 Labour Court recommendation, namely CE supervisors and assistant supervisors, and any agreement reached on the proposal arising from these discussions would apply only to those parties.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (320, 321, 322, 323)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:320. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review her Department’s plans to restructure local jobs clubs through a new tendering process, as this would essentially privatise a social service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55317/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJackie Cahill
Ceist:321. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending contracts for local jobs clubs further following a recent six month extension to contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55318/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJackie Cahill
Ceist:322. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the new model for jobs clubs being profit driven based on performance to refer clients to full-time employment as the key metric is a just policy move (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55319/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJackie Cahill
Ceist:323. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider the policy that would see jobs clubs being transformed into profit driven private enterprises through the new tendering process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55320/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 to 323, inclusive, together.
My Department is now at an advanced stage in its first phase of procuring new employment services. This phase involves the procurement of regional employment services for seven counties in the Midlands and North-West across four lots. These counties do not have an existing local employment service and represent the first phase of an expansion of similar employment services across the State.
In line with the 2019 Indecon Review of Employment Services, Job Clubs and Local Employment Services are being folded into a single service, the Regional Employment Service, in each lot area to reduce duplication of functions and provide a more efficient integrated customer focused service.
This procurement process follows extensive consultations by my Department with the existing service providers over the last number of years.
I can assure the Deputy that no new privatisation is being undertaken In relation to employment services. No service previously undertaken by civil or public servants is being outsourced. Local Employment Services and Job Clubs have always been contracted out services and provide employment services for those who are long term unemployed. My Department's Intreo offices will continue to engage with those unemployed for 12 months or less and in line with the new Pathways to Work strategy, has been given additional resources to do so.
The Phase two procurement, which will see the Regional Employment Service model rolled out across the State will take on board the learnings from the first phase. This is a significant expansion of employment services and will result in State-wide coverage of employment services for those furthest from the labour market for the first time.
It is not proposed to extend the contracts of Job clubs in areas where a Regional Employment Service has been procured, as the new service will subsume the roles of both Job Clubs and Local Employment Services.
The new model is a modernisation of existing employment services utilising best international practices, good governance and key performance indicators to manage performance. All these innovations are for the benefit of the long-term unemployment clients. The new model does not exclude existing service providers from tendering. Both I and my Department have consistently encouraged existing providers to work collaboratively together to submit joint tenders for the Regional Employment Services. I am confident that where existing providers work collaboratively their strong track record and previous experience will enable them to submit high quality bids for the provision of the new Regional Employment Services.
Question No. 321 answered with Question No. 320.
Question No. 322 answered with Question No. 320.
Question No. 323 answered with Question No. 320.
Public Services Card
Ceisteanna (324)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:324. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a service to allow for the renewal of public services cards has been discontinued at a location (details supplied) in County Sligo; her views on whether it is not acceptable for residents of the area and its vast hinterland to have to travel 20 miles or more to avail of the service; her further views on whether such a move to discontinue the service is not in line with the Our Rural Future initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55322/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am happy to confirm that the service referred to by the Deputy is scheduled to resume from next week. People will be able to apply for a Public Services Card (PSC) or renew their PSC in Tubbercurry one day a week.
My Department has an extensive range of offices providing essential services across rural Ireland. This service will complement the service already provided in other offices in Sligo town, Swinford, Claremorris and Boyle, and will ensure that anyone in the South Sligo area who wishes to acquire or renew a PSC can do so in Tubbercurry, if they so wish.
There are alternative ways of extending or renewing an expired PSC. An expired card can be extended for three years by calling my Department at 0818 837000.
In addition, my Department has introduced an online PSC renewal service, available on MyWelfare.ie. By submitting an up to date photograph a person can renew their PSC for 10 years.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (325)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an urgent oral hearing can be facilitated online or in person in respect of an appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55327/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 26 January 2021.
A decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final apart from in some limited circumstances. The Chief Appeals Officer has power under Section 318 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to revise any decision where it appears to her that the Appeals Officer’s decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts. A request for such a review by the Chief Appeals Officer in respect of the person concerned was received on 26 April 2021. The Chief Appeals Officer, having reviewed the Appeals Officer's decision, declined to revise the decision. The person concerned was notified of the outcome of the Chief Appeals Officer’s review on 10 May 2021.
An Appeals Officer may revise his or her decision under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 where it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous in the light of new evidence or new facts which have been subsequently brought to his or her notice. I am advised that the person concerned submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer reviewed the appeal on foot of this additional evidence under Section 317. The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or evidence which warranted a revision of her earlier decision. The person concerned was notified of the outcome of the Appeals Officer’s review on 19 August 2021.
I am advised that a second Section 318 review was requested in respect of the person concerned on 7 October 2021. Following a review of the Appeals Officer's decision the Chief Appeals Officer again declined to revise the decision. The person concerned was notified of the outcome of the Chief Appeals Officer’s review on 28 October 2021.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has noted the Deputy's requests for an oral hearing. This matter is governed by the Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 108 of 1998). Article 13 of the Regulations provides "Where the appeals officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can properly be determined without a hearing, he or she may determine the appeal summarily." The Appeals Office is satisfied that this appeal, at initial decision stage and at the review stages, has been properly determined without an oral hearing.
Under social welfare legislation, a Section 318 review is the final stage of the appeal process. However, the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (Section 327) also provides that any person who is dissatisfied with the decision of an Appeals Officer may appeal that decision to the High Court on any question of law.
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (326)
Michael Collins
Ceist:326. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a provision in place in relation to a scenario related to the Covid-19 pandemic (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55356/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is 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. My Department spent a total of €4.7 billion on illness, disability and caring payments in 2020.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children. It is payable for up to two years, based on the person’s continued eligibility. An enhanced Illness Benefit is payable for up to ten weeks for people diagnosed with Covid-19, subject to ongoing medical certification. In a case where a person continues to be ill with Covid-19 beyond ten weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
Invalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are “permanently incapable of work” because of illness or disability. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and medical condition and is not means tested.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for other schemes. The Department may also make an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
The Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. As set out above, a comprehensive set of income support payments is in place for those experiencing illness and disability, based on a person’s medical condition and either their social insurance contributions or means testing. It is generally the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work rather than the nature of the illness or disability that is taken into account when eligibility is being assessed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Code
Ceisteanna (327, 328)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:327. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the jobseeker's transition payment beyond the 14th birthday of the child when a recipient is in full-time education to allow the recipient to continue to receive the payment until they have completed their education course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55399/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:328. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of parents who lose the jobseeker's transition payment while taking part in an education course due to the child turning 14; if her Department has conducted research into the effect this has or will have on the completion rate of education courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55401/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together.
Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a is a special arrangement under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme. It is a means-tested payment to support lone parents whose youngest child is over 7 and under 14 years old. It is a requirement for recipients of the payment to engage with the Department's Intreo service.
JST recipients may participate in a course of education. Customers engaging in a course of education should contact their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office as they will advise if Back to Education Allowance is a better option for the person.
Where a person moves to Back to Education allowance it will be paid at the same rate as the JST payment. It will continue to be paid, regardless of the age of the person's child as long as the person continues to meet the qualifying conditions for that scheme.
The number of JST recipients whose youngest child turns 14 while they are in education is not known and the Department has not undertaken research into completion rates in these circumstances. However, as it is possible for such a person to move to another payment in order to complete their course of study, regardless of the youngest child’s age there should be no negative impact on course completions.
Extending the Jobseeker's Transition Payment beyond the 14th birthday of the child would have the effect of delaying the interaction of affected customers with the Department’s Intreo services. The primary aim of the current system is to reduce long-term welfare dependency, and associated poverty, among lone parents, and to improve their access to education, training, and employment support services. Improved access to these services will enhance their skills-set and job-readiness, thereby assisting with their transition into the workforce, and with their subsequent attainment of financial independence. For these reasons, I have no proposals to change the position at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 328 answered with Question No. 327.