Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 328: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the new rules in relation to social welfare payments for FÁS community scheme participants came into force; the category of participants affected by these rule changes; if she carried out any poverty impact analysis before making her decision in respect of these changes; the result of such an analysis; the relative poverty of the groups in question before these decisions were taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7911/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

From 16th January 2012, new participants on Community Employment (CE) schemes will not be able to simultaneously claim their original social welfare payment and a Community Employment allowance, as per section 12 of the Social Welfare Act 2011. This measure affects those in receipt of the following payments commencing CE after that date:

· One Parent Family Payment

· Deserted Wife's Benefit

· Widow(er)s Pension

· Illness Benefit

· Disability Allowance

· Invalidity Pension

· Blind Pension

These new CE participants will receive payments directly via the CE scheme at a rate equivalent to their original social welfare payment (including any increase for a qualified adult and/or child dependants) plus an additional €20 CE participation bonus. New participants are defined as those persons who, with effect from 16th January 2012, have not been employed on a CE scheme in the 12 months prior to commencing the current CE placement.

CE participants on maternity leave or sick leave at the 16th January will not be considered new starts when they return as they will have participated on CE within the 12 month period. Persons who were approved by DSP officers for CE positions before 16th January 2012 but who only commence working on or after the 16th January 2012, due to operational reasons, will be treated as existing CE participants for the purpose of retaining their social welfare payments. Existing CE participants who have their contracts renewed after the 16th January 2012 will retain their social welfare payment provided they are continuously employed on CE from that date. This provision is subject to the standard CE participation limits and a final cut-off date for double payments of December 2014. All CE participants will receive a single payment only from that date.

In addition, payment of two qualified increases per child where the person is employed on a CE scheme and in receipt of either One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance or Widow(er)s Pension will cease for new and existing recipients with effect from Monday 20th February 2012. Existing CE participants will continue to receive increases for qualified children from their original social welfare payment only. New CE participants will receive the qualified child increase (where applicable) on their CE payment. The CE Single Adult Rate INCLUDES the €20 CE participation bonus. The following table outlines a summary.

Following these changes it will continue to be financially advantageous for all Social Welfare categories to participate on CE. Such participants will continue to have access to the supports available within my Department where applicable.

Summary of changes to Allowances for CE participants;