Written answers

Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

10:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of claims for back to education allowance being processed here; the way this compares to the number of applicants being processed in the same period in 2006 and 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39458/08]

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of claims for back to work allowance being processed here; the way this compares to the number of applicants being processed in the same period in 2006 and 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39457/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 161 together.

The back to work allowance scheme is designed to assist and encourage the long term unemployed, lone parents, people with disabilities and other social welfare recipients to return to the active labour force. These allowances provide a monetary incentive for people who are long term dependant on social welfare payments to make the return to work.

In the 43 weeks to the 24th October 2008, a total of 3,008 people qualified for the back to work allowance compared to 3,726 for the same period in 2007 and 3,838 in 2006. In relation to the numbers on the scheme, there were 8,584 people on the back to work allowance at the end of October 2006 and this increased to 9,010 at the end of October 2007. There has been a decrease in the past 12 months to 8,347 at the end of October 2008.

The back to education scheme is a second chance education opportunity designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education. It encourages and facilitates people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. The objective of the scheme is to enhance the employability skills of vulnerable groups who are distant from the labour market.

The statistics on participation in the back to education scheme are collated at the end April in order to get an overview for the full academic year. The full-year figure for 2005/2006 was 7,285 and this increased 8,090 for 2006/2007 and to 8,883 for 2007/2008. This represents an increase of 22% in the number availing of the back to education allowance during those periods. The figures for the 2008/2009 academic year are not yet available but it is expected that they will show a significant increase.

In September 2008, the Department commenced an activation programme which is delivered at local level through its Facilitator network. The programme aims to facilitate progression for social welfare customers of working age into employment, or training or appropriate education opportunities. Activities under this programme will support and promote the uptake of the back to work and back to education schemes.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department has plans to introduce paid paternity leave. [39489/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of a paternity benefit payment would be contingent on an underlying entitlement to statutory paternity leave. Responsibility for issues relating to paternity leave rests with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Following commitments made in the social partnership agreement 'Towards 2016', a Working Group led by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been convened to review the level of provision of maternity leave and of paternity leave.

The group, in which the Department of Social and Family Affairs participates, is currently examining options with regards to both maternity and paternity provision and is due to conclude its deliberations before the end of 2008. The work of the group will be informed by the commitment in the Programme for Government to, increase paid maternity leave by five weeks, make all leave after the first 26 weeks available to either parent, and examine the possibility of introducing a statutory entitlement to paternity leave and shared parental leave, these changes to be introduced over the next five years.

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