Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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329. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the report into the poverty impact assessment of reduced rates of jobseeker’s payments for those aged 18 to 25 as committed to in the Social Welfare Act 2019 will be published. [34085/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has completed a Poverty Impact Assessment on the reduced rates of jobseekers for young people, which I am currently considering.

I am acutely aware that young people are often among the first to lose their job at times of difficulty. The “last-in/first-out” principle applies.  During the Covid-19 pandemic this was exacerbated by the fact that the sectors that traditionally employ young people, retail and hospitality, are among the hardest hit.  The Government recognised this and ensured that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was made available to young people, including students who would not normally receive an unemployment payment.

One of our key priorities as restrictions are gradually lifted is to focus on getting young people back to work and assisting those young jobseekers who are looking to obtain their first job.

The recently announced Economic Recovery Plan has a clear target for employment to exceed pre-pandemic levels of 2.5 million people at work by 2024.Jobs and employment recovery is a key focus of the Plan, which commits to supporting people to secure and remain in sustainable and quality employment.

My Department is at an advanced stage in developing a new Work Placement Experience Programme for those out of work for at least six months, regardless of age.

In addition, a new Pathways to Work Strategy will shortly be launched and will set out how an expanded Public Employment Service will deliver effective services in a post-COVID labour market.  This whole-of-Government strategy will seek to build upon existing support measures, with a particular focus on young jobseekers.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time for the Deputy. 

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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330. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she plans to introduce the cost of a disability payment as committed to in the programme for Government. [34086/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability. In line with the actual commitment contained in the Programme for Government, the  Government will use the research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to properly inform the direction of future policy.

Specifically, the research was expected to consider whether objectives can be met through financial support, for instance as a supplement to the current income support system, through service provision or through other supports. This matter is considerably wider than the income support system and will not be addressed through income support alone which is why a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken. Due consideration will have to be given to the findings of the report from all the relevant Government departments who have a role to play in the delivery of disability services and

supports and not just my Department.

In Budget 2021, I introduced a number of measures to support people with disabilities, this included an increase of €20 in the earnings disregard for recipients of Disability Allowance, which came into effect in June. This will affect 15,000 recipients and cost €2.9m in 2021. Other measures include a €1,000 Training Grant to help people with disabilities who are seeking employment, and an increase of €150 to the Carer’s Support Grant. The new Grant rate of €1,850 is the highest rate ever and was paid in early June.