John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

385. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the criteria around the new working family payment; if the criteria will remain the same as it was under family income supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44635/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The qualification criteria for the new Working Family Payment (WFP) will remain the same as the current qualifying criteria under Family Income Supplement (FIS).

The Department’s approach to developing the Working Family Payment was guided by two principles. First, that it should ensure that work pays, and second, that it should have a positive effect on reducing child poverty. To advance the commitment contained in the Programme for Partnership Government, the Department established an internal working group and an Inter-Departmental Group of the relevant Government Departments to consider proposals.

As part of this process the Department carried out an extensive analysis of its existing range of supports that are aimed at assisting individuals to take up employment. The analysis showed the existing in-work supports are very effective, and work well in assisting individuals make the transition from unemployment into employment.

These findings are confirmed by the ESRI’s research into the Department’s existing in-work measures, and Eurostat figures, which show that the parental in-work poverty rate in Ireland, at 5.8%, is significantly below the EU 28 average of 11.2%. This is in large part due to the Department’s in-work supports such as Family Income Supplement and the Back to Work Family Dividend.

Consequently, the analysis carried out by the working group did not support the need for the establishment of a new scheme. In the context of Budget 2018 it was decided to re-designate the FIS scheme as the Working Family Payment, which will bring it more visibility as a payment aimed specifically at working families. The new name better reflects the nature of the payment and the Department would encourage families to look into seeing if they are eligible for the payment.

Given all of the above there are no plans to change the qualification criteria around the Working Family Payment.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

386. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the work carried out by her Department in respect of the new youth employment support scheme for young jobseekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44636/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) is a new work experience programme targeted at young jobseekers who are long-term unemployed or who face significant barriers to gaining employment – people who even during the Celtic Tiger years would have found it difficult to get a foothold on the career ladder. The programme aims to provide them with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement.

YESS will be open to people aged between 18 and 24 who have been out of work and in receipt of a qualifying payment for at least 12 months or, if unemployed for less than 12 months, are considered by a case worker to face a significant barrier to work.

Candidates must be in receipt of one of the following qualifying payments: Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker Transition Payment, Disability Allowance, Blind Person’s Pension, Supplementary Welfare Allowance; or signing for Credits.

Although people will be encouraged and supported to avail of suitable placements, participation on YESS will be entirely voluntary – there will be no financial penalties for jobseekers who do not wish to participate or who do not complete a placement.

There will be clear eligibility requirements for Host Organisations wishing to participate in the programme. They will be required to sign up to Terms and Conditions when they advertise a placement.

The standard duration of the work experience programme will be three months, with an option to extend the placement further to six or nine months following a review of progress by a Departmental case worker. The attendance requirement will be 30 hours per week. Participants will receive a weekly payment equivalent to the net minimum wage which represents a very significant increase on their underlying payment.

A designated case worker will liaise with the participant and the Host Organisation throughout the period of the placement, to monitor how well it is progressing for both parties and to provide appropriate advice and support.

Clearly defined learning and development outcomes for each placement will be identified, with a focus on ‘soft’ (employability) skills as well as any specific ‘hard’ skills that will be acquired and/or demonstrated during the placement. The Host Organisation will complete an assessment for the participant at the end of the placement.

Host Organisations will be encouraged to hire participants who have performed well (i.e. offer them paid employment) and will qualify for a financial subsidy under JobsPlus Youth.

Significant work has been undertaken by my Department in the development and design of the new scheme, including discussions with key stakeholders, and operational details are currently being finalised.

It is proposed to introduce YESS in Quarter 2, 2018 as it will take some time to promote the new scheme to employers and participants. A dedicated budget of €1 million has been allocated for 2018. The full-year cost of the scheme is expected to be €7.5 million, catering for up to 1,600 participants.