Vol. 686 No. 1
9 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the date central support units to speed up the processing of welfare claims identified for Roscommon, Tallaght and Wexford will become operational; the reason for the delay in these units coming on stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23326/09]
As many local offices are very close to capacity as regards accommodating further staff, earlier this year the Department commenced the process of establishing a number of central decision units around the country. These units are being staffed primarily by the redeployment of existing civil servants from other Government Departments. The current remit of the units is to support local offices in the decision making process for jobseeker claims.
Four such units have been set up in Dublin, Sligo, Finglas, Carrick-on-Shannon and are currently operational. The units have been concentrating on deciding claims from the offices with the highest volume of claims awaiting a decision.
A further unit was established on 25th May in Roscommon and another unit is to be set up in Tallaght in early July.
There is a significant training overhead associated with staff coming into local offices due to the complex nature of the jobseekers schemes. This is particularly so when a person is coming from another department and may not have any Social Welfare background whatsoever. While a certain amount of formal training is provided, the bulk of the training is "on-the-job". It takes many months for a deciding officer to get up to speed with all the various aspects of the schemes administered in local offices. In the meantime they rely on assistance from their more experienced colleagues to guide them in the learning process. Consequently, there is a certain amount of lost productivity while new staff acquire the necessary expertise of experienced deciding officers.
As I previously outlined the support units are being staffed by the redeployment of existing civil servants, therefore the Department can only establish such units in locations where sufficient numbers of staff can be sourced and suitable accommodation is available. The Department continues to liaise with other Government Departments in an attempt to secure staff to establish a unit in Wexford. As of now a date has not been confirmed for the establishment of this unit.
11 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of additional staff requested for social welfare offices since 1 January 2009; the number received; the number fully deployed; and the source of these extra staff. [23279/09]
Since May 2008, some 300 extra staff have been assigned to local offices, new Central Support Units and the Departments Inspectorate. Of these 150 have been assigned since January 2009 as follows:
16 Social Welfare Inspectors were assigned in March 2009 to various locations around the country to undertake means testing and other work associated with processing claims for the jobseekers allowance.
49 posts have also been assigned to date for Local Office Central Support Units in 5 locations.
And some 90 temporary staff have been appointed to Local Offices around the country pending the assignment of permanent staff.
The new inspectors and staff for the support units were sourced by the redeployment or lateral transfer of serving Civil Servants either within the Department or from other Government Departments.
Work is in progress to source a further 150 posts, including 24 additional social welfare inspectors, from within the civil service.
In providing extra staffing, both directly to the local offices and to the new support units, the focus has been on supporting local offices that are under the most pressure in terms of claim loads and processing times.
I appreciate that waiting times are still too long in some areas and I assure the House that we are doing our best to reduce them.
In addition to providing extra staff, we have also been examining all aspects of the work associated with the processing of claims and streamlining our procedures wherever possible without, of course, compromising scheme controls.
Examples of process improvement initiatives that have been introduced include:
The introduction of an appointment system in some offices for customers making a jobseekers claim;
A simplified process for people who had a claim in the previous 2 years; and
A more streamlined procedure for claimants moving to jobseekers allowance when their jobseekers benefit expires.
In addition, application forms for the jobseeker schemes are now available on the Department's website. This means that anyone who wants to make a claim can print the form at home and bring it to the local office completed. This helps reduce queuing times.
I assure the Deputies that my Department is working hard to ensure that the remaining extra posts required are filled as soon possible.
12 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she is satisfied with the average time it takes to process social welfare appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23345/09]
26 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she will take to address the long waiting times for social welfare appeals. [23289/09]
35 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she is satisfied with the average time it takes to process jobseekers appeals, which take as much as 21 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23340/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 26 and 35 together.
I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that during 2008 the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance was made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. These processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact that there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008.
The processing time for appeals covers all phases of the appeal process including the submission by the Department of its comments on the grounds for the appeal, further examination by the Department's Medical Assessors in certain illness related cases and further investigation by Social Welfare Inspectors where required. Circumstances may also arise, normally outside of the control of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which have the effect of unduly prolonging the time taken to process appeals. For example, delays can occur where the appellant submits new information or evidence, often at an advanced stage in the proceedings. In some cases adjournments may be sought by the appellant or his/her representative.
Having said that, however, I am concerned about processing times for appeals being further increased especially as the Social Welfare Appeals Office has informed me that they anticipate a further increase of some 18% in the number of appeals they expect to receive during 2009. Having regard to the current level of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in January. Furthermore, in the light of the current situation, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.
While improving processing times remains a major objective of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, it is necessary at all times, given the quasi-judicial nature of the appeals process, to ensure that progress in this regard is achieved in a manner which is not in conflict with the demands of justice and the requirement that every appeal be fully investigated and examined on all its merits.
14 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people claiming rent supplement for more than 18 months; her views on the slow transfer of people from rent supplement onto the rental accommodation scheme; the action she has taken to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23255/09]
There are currently almost 88,800 tenants benefiting from a rent supplement payment — an increase of 49% since the end of 2007. Over half of these recipients have been in payment for more than one year, while over 32,000 have been in payment for 18 months or more.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), which was introduced in 2004, gives local authorities specific responsibility for meeting the longer term housing needs of people receiving rent supplement for 18 months or more. Details of these cases are notified regularly by the Department to the local authorities. Local authorities meet the housing needs of these individuals through a range of approaches including the traditional range of social housing options, the voluntary housing sector and, in particular, RAS.
Latest figures from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) indicate that to date, local authorities have transferred over 10,600 rent supplement cases to RAS units. Housing authorities have also transferred a further 9,400 recipients to other social housing options, a total of over 20,000 transfers since 2005. Almost 7,000 recipients were transferred in 2008.
It is accepted that progress in relation to RAS was initially slower than expected. However the pace of delivery has improved significantly, and in 2009 a target has been set of transferring an additional 7,000 households from rent supplement.
In addition to this official target, due to the numbers of unsold affordable stock around the country, an opportunity has been created to make use of some of these properties for RAS and it is expected that additional transfers will occur in 2009 above that provided for by the 2009 target. The position regarding the availability of property is monitored on an ongoing basis, given the current market conditions, if further savings are achieved and there may be an opportunity to achieve further transfers.
The changes made in Budget 2009 to better align the minimum weekly contribution required from tenants under the rent supplement scheme with that under the RAS should also encourage more people to take up RAS offers.
The Department continues to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in ensuring that RAS meets its objective of catering for those on long term rent supplementation while enabling rent supplement to return to its original role of a short-term income support.
15 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans in relation to restoring the Christmas bonus for welfare recipients. [23283/09]
28 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there will be a review of the decision to abolish the Christmas bonus; if she will proceed with its abolition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23143/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 28 together.
In the context of very tough decisions having to be made across the whole range of Government expenditure, the provision of €21.3 billion for social welfare services in 2009 — 20% more than the amount spent in 2008 — is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to protecting the vulnerable and providing income support to the increasing numbers of people who are losing their jobs.
Both taxes and borrowing had to be increased in the Budget to pay for rising welfare expenditure in 2009.
Over the past decade there have been very significant increases in welfare payments with Child benefit increasing from €44 to €166 per month; State contributory pension increasing from €113 to more than €230 per week and the weekly rate of jobseeker's allowance being raised from €93 to €204 per week.
In the context of the current economic circumstances, it has been necessary for the Government to take steps to reduce overall public expenditure in order to restore order and stability in the public finances. This has involved reviewing all public expenditure programmes, including social welfare programmes, which at some €21.3 billion in 2009 form a substantial portion of overall public expenditure.
In order to avoid cutting all the weekly social welfare payment rates while trying to keep the welfare budget at a level the State can afford, it has been necessary to discontinue funding for the Christmas bonus that is usually paid to certain welfare recipients.
The payment of a 100% Christmas bonus in 2009 would cost an estimated €223 million.
In deciding on how to achieve savings of €300 million in the welfare budget, there were no easy options. Everything had to be considered — including a cut in the weekly rates of payments to all welfare recipients.
This would have meant taking money off everyone straight away — with little advance notice. It also would have involved the recall of all social welfare payment books, with the distress which that would have caused, especially for older people.
In the end, the Government felt that instead of doing this it would be fairer to give people almost nine months notice that the Christmas bonus will not be paid.
In making this decision, the Government was of course aware that it would be difficult for people but they felt that the alternative of cutting all weekly payments would have a much greater affect on households. It was not an easy decision. It was not a choice that was taken lightly. But it was felt that it was the fairest option.
Even with the Christmas bonus amounting to a 2% cut in the annual social welfare income of long-term welfare recipients, it should be remembered that the October budget provided for increases of between 3% and 3.8% in the basic payment rates. At that time inflation for 2009 was expected to be 2.5%. It is now considered that deflation is more likely in 2009, with a 4% drop in the Consumer Price Index now expected.
17 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will request the Money Advice and Budgeting Service to collect and publish details on the waiting times to access MABS money advisers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23268/09]
19 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide the Money Advice and Budgeting Service with increased resources to deal with the increase in persons seeking advice and support from the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23271/09]
55 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she is taking to ensure that the waiting time for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service is significantly reduced. [23285/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 19 and 55 together.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. There are 53 independent MABS companies with voluntary boards of management operating the local services throughout the country. In addition, the MABS National Telephone Helpline is available from 9am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, at lo-call number 1890 283 438 and budgeting and money management information can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie . The MABS advises that people coping with debt difficulties should make an approach to the MABS, via any of these channels. This can be the first positive step in addressing debt difficulties.
In 2009, almost €18 million has been provided to fund the MABS. Additional investment in recent years has strengthened the capacity of the MABS to deal with increased demand for service.
There are now 252 money advice staff employed throughout the country and the Telephone Helpline has been strengthened to provide an immediate response to clients seeking information and advice. Applications for extra resources from individual MABS companies are subject to funding being made available and are kept under review.
All MABS companies operate an appointments system for meeting clients. Clients with urgent difficulties are prioritised for attention and dealt with promptly. Cases that are less urgent are referred to the Telephone Helpline and to the website for immediate assistance with budgeting and money management issues. The Telephone Helpline can now handle less complex straight forward single debt cases such as threatened utility disconnections and deals directly with the ESB and An Bord Gais in relation to these cases. Over 90% of callers to the Helpline find that their money management and budgeting issues can be resolved with the assistance of the helpline advisor. In addition, the Telephone Helpline assists local services to manage their appointment lists by providing an initial MABS service to clients and ongoing support while they await their appointment with their local money advisor.
Information is not collected centrally on the waiting times for appointments at different MABS offices throughout the country. Local services monitor their waiting times for appointments and, where required, seek guidance and assistance in managing their caseload from MABS NDL, the national support company.
MABS NDL has introduced a number of community education and other management support initiatives to assist the local services with their increased caseloads. These include an education programme for people facing redundancy to inform them about managing on a reduced income and how to avoid getting into debt. MABS NDL is continuing to develop the MABSIS to improve the statistical information available in relation to the national and local services and trends in the debt among MABS Clients.
18 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on whether the free broadband for older people as set out in the programme for Government will proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24082/09]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to expand the current free telephone rental scheme by providing for free broadband for older people. The Department is examining how best to implement this commitment. As a first step it has been agreed that where people access the internet using a landline, the telephone allowance can be used to cover the cost of calls or internet usage up to the level of their allowance. In addition if a person wishes to subscribe to a bundled package for telephone and internet, the telephone allowance can be applied to this package.
The telephone allowance is a component of the household benefits package which also includes the electricity/gas allowance and free television license schemes. The package is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare payment or who satisfy a means test. It is also available to people aged under 66 who are in receipt of certain social welfare disability payments or carer's allowance. In 2008, over 370,000 people received the household benefits at a cost of €340 million.
The primary objective of the telephone allowance scheme is to ensure that vulnerable people have access to help in an emergency and to provide an element of security. A secondary objective is to encourage social contact and to assist in the prevention of social isolation for those living alone.
The Department will continue to keep this issue under review and consideration will be given to expanding access for older people to broadband as the opportunity arises.
20 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the measures being taken to ensure that persons who have experienced a reduction in their rent supplement are availing of lower rents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23144/09]
24 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the flexibility available to a community welfare officer not to impose an 8% reduction in rent supplement to tenants in existing tenancies. [23284/09]
53 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the evidence he has to demonstrate that rents have fallen in urban areas for persons availing of the rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23145/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 24 and 53 together.
There are currently almost 88,800 people in receipt of rent supplement, an increase of 49% since the end of December 2007. The recent Supplementary Budget provided that the weekly minimum contribution towards rent be increased from €18 to €24 a week, with effect from 1 June 2009. It also provided that payments currently being made to existing rent supplement tenants be reduced by 8% from the same date. While tenants may be contractually obliged to pay the rent agreed to in their lease, it is expected that landlords will decrease the rent in recognition of the fact that rents have fallen generally and that there are now a large number of vacant rental properties nationally.
The most recent data published by the CSO shows that rents in the private sector have fallen by almost 11% since November 2008 and by almost 20% in the past year. A leading property website also reported recently that rents had fallen by almost 16% in the twelve months to March 2009 and that in the same period rents in all major urban areas had fallen, ranging from a fall of 10% in Galway, 15% in Cork and between 12.5% and 18% in Dublin.
It is essential that state support for tenants who form a substantial section of the rental market, does not give rise to inflated rental prices.
Other changes in the Supplementary Budget provided for new maximum rent limits to take effect from 1 June 2009, to reflect the general reductions in private sector rent levels.
Existing recipients of rent supplement were advised by letter in advance of the change being made to their rent payment from 1 June 2009 and this communication can be shown to landlords as evidence of the revised rent supplement in payment in individual cases. Landlords were advised through advertising in national and provincial newspapers of the general reduction in rent supplement payments. A number of organisations representing landlords and tenants were also contacted and advised of the changes to the rent supplement scheme.
In the current climate, where there is a large number of vacant rental properties, it is expected that people should be able to get accommodation at the appropriate rental level.
Community Welfare Officers have discretion to provide assistance where exceptional circumstances exist in any individual case. Officers have also been advised that support, appropriate to the circumstances of the particular case, may be provided to rent supplement tenants for up to two months, where alternative accommodation is being sourced within the existing rent limits.
The Department is also in discussions with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding the role of local authorities who are responsible for providing a wide range of social housing supports for those with a long-term housing need.
21 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of job facilitators; the average waiting time to access support from a job facilitator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23354/09]
159 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of job facilitators; the average waiting time to access support from a job facilitator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23447/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 159 together.
Facilitators work closely with FÁS and other agencies at national and local level, to identify appropriate training and developmental programmes for social welfare recipients of working age to enhance the skills those individuals have and ultimately improve their employments chances as well as help them to develop personally.
The facilitator service is available to social welfare customers at all local offices. Facilitators hold open clinics and meet with people who have been referred either by the social welfare local office or by other agencies. Appointments to see the facilitator can be made by contacting the social welfare local office or the facilitator directly. In addition, cases are selected and referred to facilitators by employment support section.
The service was enhanced under the National Development Plan (NDP) Social and Economic Participation Programme. There are currently 60 facilitators in place, with a further 10 due for appointment, bringing the total in place to 70.
In the current economic climate the demand for the facilitator service is elevated. Waiting times to see a facilitator vary nationwide and information on waiting times for individual facilitators are not available. Facilitators make every effort to contact all interested customers as quickly as possible.
22 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the difficulty experienced by rent supplement claimants in negotiating reductions in rental rates; the support she will provide to tenants who have been unable to negotiate a new rental rate and are contractually obliged to pay rent agreed in their lease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23260/09]
There are currently almost 88,800 people in receipt of rent supplement, an increase of 49% since the end of December 2007. The recent Supplementary Budget provided that the weekly minimum contribution payable towards rent be increased from €18 to €24 a week, with effect from 1 June 2009. It also provided that payments currently being made to existing rent supplement tenants be reduced by 8% from the same date. Other changes in the Supplementary Budget provided that new maximum rent limits apply to all new claimants, from 1 June 2009, to reflect the general reductions in private sector rent levels.
The most recent data published by the CSO, shows that rents in the private sector have fallen by almost 11% since November 2008 and by almost 20% in the past year. It is essential therefore that state support for tenants who form a substantial section of the rental market, does not give rise to inflated rental prices.
Existing recipients of rent supplement were advised by letter in advance of the change being made to their rent payment from 1 June 2009 and this communication can be shown to landlords as evidence of the revised rent supplement in payment in individual cases. Landlords were advised through advertising in national and provincial newspapers of the general reduction in rent supplement payments. Given prevailing rental market trends and availability of rental properties, landlords were asked in the advertising to respond positively to tenants who present the Department's letter seeking a reduction in rent. A number of organisations representing landlords and tenants were contacted and advised of the changes to the rent supplement scheme.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, once a tenancy is at least a year old and where the rent has not been reviewed for twelve months, the tenant is entitled to ask a landlord to review the rent in payment where the tenant feels that the rent exceeds the market rate for the property. While tenants may be contractually obliged to pay the rent agreed to in their lease, it is expected that landlords will decrease the rent in recognition of the fact that rents have fallen generally and that there are now a large number of vacant rental properties nationally. In this climate, it is expected that people should be able to source alternative accommodation at the appropriate rental level if a landlord is unwilling to reduce the rent in any particular case.
Community Welfare Officers have discretion to provide assistance where exceptional circumstances exist in any individual case. Officers have been advised that support, appropriate to the circumstances of the particular case, may be provided to rent supplement tenants for up to two months, while alternative accommodation is being sourced within the existing rent limits.
23 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of her review of mortgage interest supplement. [23287/09]
The mortgage interest supplement scheme is designed to help those who have difficulty meeting their mortgage repayment schedule where their means are insufficient to meet their needs. The scheme provides a short-term "safety net" within the overall social welfare scheme to ensure that people do not suffer hardship due to loss of employment.
A supplement may be paid in respect of mortgage interest only to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence.
There are currently 12, 900 people in receipt of mortgage interest supplement, an increase of 213% over the number in payment at end 2007.
The assessment for the existing mortgage interest supplement scheme provides for a gradual withdrawal of payment as hours of employment or earnings increase. Those availing of part-time employment and/or training opportunities can continue to receive mortgage interest supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules.
The current review of the administration of the mortgage interest supplement scheme is progressing. The main purpose of the review is to consider how the mortgage interest supplement scheme can best meet its objective of catering for those who require assistance on a short-term basis, where they are unable to meet mortgage interest repayments on their sole place of residence. Legislative and operational issues arising in the existing mortgage interest scheme are being examined, including the cap on hours of employment.
The views of the community welfare service and other interested parties are currently being canvassed as part of the review. In the interim, updated guidelines on the operation of the existing mortgage interest supplement scheme have issued to community welfare service staff. The full review should be completed and a final report available by the end of 2009.
25 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the measures which have been put in place by her to incentivise people in employment action plan areas who received redundancy to take up the back to education allowance in view of the increasing unemployment figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23350/09]
Under the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) all persons between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are approaching 3 months on the Live Register are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS for interview with a view to availing of a range of employment, training and educational options. The NEAP is not confined to particular geographical areas.
The back to education allowance is designed to facilitate people of working age on welfare payments to return to education in order to gain qualifications which will help to enhance their employment prospects. The main incentives for jobseekers to avail of the scheme are that it exempts them from the requirement to be available for work while participating in an approved course of education and, in addition, an annual €500 cost of education allowance is payable. Participants may continue to receive any secondary benefits to which they have been entitled.
Changes to provide for earlier access to the scheme were announced in the recent supplementary budget. In order to qualify for participation an applicant must now be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for 3 months if pursuing a second level course or 12 months if pursuing a third level course. The qualifying period for access to third level courses is reduced to 9 months for those who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan process or engaging with the Department's facilitator programme. People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.
Each claimant for a jobseeker's payment is given information when they make their claim that, among other things, lists the range of employment support services operated by the department. This includes the back to education allowance scheme. The relevant information and booklets are also available in each of the department's local offices. Information on the range of employment supports is also available on the Department's website.
Jobseeker claimants are also advised about the department's facilitator service which is available to help them explore the range of work and educational options available.
In May, 2009, the department issued an information leaflet to all people under 25 who were more than 3 months on the live register to advise them of the education supports available.
The government has devoted significant resources to the back to education allowance over the years. In view of its important role in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers, the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.
29 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to amend the mortgage interest supplement scheme; if she will make revised guidelines publically available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23311/09]
The mortgage interest supplement scheme is designed to help people whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and who have difficulty meeting their mortgage repayment schedule. The scheme provides a short-term "safety net" within the overall social welfare scheme to ensure that people do not suffer hardship due to loss of employment. A supplement may be paid in respect of mortgage interest only to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence.
There are currently 12,900 people in receipt of mortgage interest supplement, an increase of 213% over the number in payment at end 2007. The assessment for the mortgage interest supplement scheme provides for a gradual withdrawal of payment as hours of employment or earnings increase. Those availing of part-time employment and/or training opportunities can continue to receive mortgage interest supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules.
The review of the administration of the mortgage interest supplement scheme is progressing. The main purpose of the review is to consider how the mortgage interest supplement scheme can best meet its objective of catering for those who require assistance on a short-term basis, where they are unable to meet mortgage interest repayments on their sole place of residence. Legislative and operational issues arising in the current scheme are being examined, including the cap on hours of employment and the impact, if any, of the Financial Regulator's statutory Code of Practice on Mortgage Arrears will have on the scheme. The review will also examine operational aspects of the scheme including best practice in the recording, collating and maintaining statistical data on the scheme.
Following consultation with the community welfare service, guidelines on specific and immediate operational issues for the community welfare officers have been updated and issued. Arrangements are being made to make the guidelines available on the Department's website. The full review should be completed and a final report prepared by the end of 2009.
30 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the expected cost to the Exchequer arising from measures adopted in the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009 to address problems affecting private pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23148/09]
45 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she is taking to improve pension security for members of defined benefit schemes in the private sector. [23294/09]
52 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide the latest information on the number of pension schemes that currently fail the funding standard and the extent to which they fail. [23295/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 45 and 52 together.
At the end of 2008, there were 1,351 defined benefit schemes subject to the funding standard. Current estimates suggest that approximately 90% of defined benefit pension schemes are in deficit. However, the full extent of the level of under-funding will not be fully apparent until all schemes carry out their next actuarial assessment and report the results to the Pensions Board.
The Government is conscious of the pressures on both sponsoring employers and pension scheme trustees, arising from the significant losses incurred by pension funds over the last 18 months. We are anxious to ensure, in so far as we can, that those involved have sufficient time and space to fully assess the implications of the current difficulties for their schemes and the remedial action they can take. Indeed, this was the thinking behind the recent implementation of a number of measures to ease the pressures being felt by many pension funds. Those measures included the granting of extra time for schemes to formulate funding proposals and allowing longer periods for recovery plans.
Furthermore, changes to the Pensions Act 1990 were introduced by the 2009 Social Welfare and Pensions Act which allowed for the restructuring of underfunded schemes; to ensure a more equitable distribution of assets in the event of the wind-up of a defined benefit scheme and to strengthen the powers of the Pensions Board in ensuring that pension contributions deducted from wages and salaries are remitted by employers to scheme trustees. These changes will not have any cost implications for the exchequer.
As the Deputies are aware, I also introduced, on behalf of the Minister for Finance, the Pensions Insolvency Payments Scheme (PIPS) to reduce the cost of purchasing pension payments, by trustees of pension schemes in deficit, where the employer has become insolvent. Although the operation of the PIPS is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance, the scheme will be established on a cost-neutral basis.
31 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will indicate on a county basis, the length of time it takes to process the different schemes under jobseeker’s allowance, farm assist and carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25311/09]
The live register has increased to unprecedented levels as a result of the economic downturn that the country is currently experiencing. Staff and management of the Department of Social and Family Affairs are working flat out to deal with this increased claim load and to minimise the time taken to decide claims.
The length of time it takes to process claims varies depending on the complexity of the claim, the availability of the necessary documentation from the applicant or his/her employer and the need to carry out additional inquires including the assessment of means and whether the claimant satisfies the habitual residence condition.
Furthermore, processing times can vary from area to area for a number of reasons including the extent of the increased number of claims, the number of staff vacancies, the duration of such vacancies and the turnover of staff which impacts on the overall level of experience in an area. It is recognised that the provision of additional staff in itself will not deal with the rising claimload. Since early 2008 we have been examining all aspects of the work associated with the processing of claims and streamlining them wherever possible without, of course, compromising our scheme controls.
During 2008 the need for some 150 additional posts was identified in order to respond to the significant increase in the number of people applying for jobseekers payments in particular. Staff were sourced during 2008 and the early part of 2009 to meet this requirement. With the live register continuing to increase, the Department has requested more than 300 extra posts in 2009, in addition to those already mentioned. Of these:
49 posts have being assigned to date for Local Office Central Support Units in 5 locations.
And some 90 temporary staff have been appointed to Local Offices around the country pending the assignment of permanent staff.
In addition to increased staffing for local offices, the number of Social Welfare inspectors was increased by 16 earlier this year to undertake means testing of claims for social assistance payments including jobseekers allowance, farm assist and carers allowance. More recently it has been decided to assign a further 24 Inspectors and the necessary arrangements are in train to have these posts filled.
To qualify for farm assist a person must satisfy a means test. These cases take longer to process as all such cases require a home visit by a Social Welfare inspector. Further delays may arise if the farmer has difficulty providing the necessary accounts documentation to support the application.
The following table shows the average processing times at each local office for Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit and Farm Assist in May 2009.
The Carers allowance is administered centrally in the Department's office in Longford. Consequently, statistics are not compiled on processing times on a county by county basis. However, the average processing time for all carers claims processed in May 2009 was 8.93 weeks.
|
Local Office |
Jobseekers Benefit |
Jobseekers Allowance |
Farm Assist |
|
Achill |
0.15 |
0.15 |
0.00 |
|
Apollo House |
2.71 |
3.87 |
0.00 |
|
Ardee |
3.24 |
8.93 |
0.00 |
|
Arklow |
3.12 |
4.92 |
0.00 |
|
Athlone |
2.83 |
4.46 |
0.00 |
|
Athy |
2.91 |
5.03 |
0.00 |
|
Balbriggan |
3.33 |
9.09 |
0.00 |
|
Ballina |
3.22 |
6.81 |
14.00 |
|
Ballinasloe |
4.00 |
4.67 |
1.71 |
|
Ballinrobe |
3.95 |
14.39 |
0.00 |
|
Ballybofey |
1.11 |
2.48 |
2.14 |
|
Ballyconnell |
5.36 |
10.56 |
17.86 |
|
Ballyfermot |
5.69 |
4.44 |
0.00 |
|
Ballymun |
3.69 |
4.72 |
0.00 |
|
Ballyshannon |
0.77 |
2.33 |
14.14 |
|
Baltinglass |
0.95 |
6.69 |
0.00 |
|
Bandon |
7.93 |
12.54 |
0.00 |
|
Bantry |
2.58 |
5.19 |
0.00 |
|
Bantry Co |
2.82 |
9.15 |
5.00 |
|
Belmullet |
1.88 |
2.35 |
3.50 |
|
Birr |
2.33 |
4.26 |
0.00 |
|
Bishop Square |
5.49 |
7.75 |
0.00 |
|
Blanchardstown |
4.14 |
11.03 |
0.00 |
|
Boyle |
4.34 |
14.01 |
44.00 |
|
Bray |
2.64 |
6.29 |
0.00 |
|
Buncrana |
3.69 |
6.13 |
0.00 |
|
Cahir |
1.92 |
3.61 |
0.00 |
|
Cahirciveen |
2.20 |
5.65 |
0.00 |
|
Carlow |
2.60 |
5.30 |
0.00 |
|
Carrickmacross |
2.01 |
7.12 |
0.00 |
|
Carrick-On-Shannon |
0.73 |
3.15 |
5.38 |
|
Carrick-On-Suir |
3.37 |
7.15 |
0.00 |
|
Carrigaline |
3.17 |
8.02 |
0.00 |
|
Cashel |
2.71 |
4.88 |
0.00 |
|
Castlebar |
2.53 |
2.13 |
3.86 |
|
Castleblayney |
2.32 |
5.72 |
1.14 |
|
Castlepollard |
4.42 |
14.57 |
0.00 |
|
Castlerea |
2.95 |
11.62 |
0.00 |
|
Cavan |
4.28 |
9.51 |
8.57 |
|
Claremorris |
2.03 |
9.61 |
0.00 |
|
Clifden |
0.91 |
1.49 |
0.00 |
|
Clonakilty |
7.37 |
9.12 |
0.00 |
|
Clondalkin |
5.84 |
5.20 |
0.00 |
|
Clones |
1.54 |
3.78 |
0.00 |
|
Clonmel |
1.78 |
2.31 |
0.00 |
|
Cobh |
1.35 |
1.37 |
0.00 |
|
Coolock Lo |
2.52 |
3.52 |
0.00 |
|
Cork |
9.52 |
8.05 |
0.00 |
|
Dingle |
4.84 |
5.85 |
0.00 |
|
Donegal |
1.67 |
2.07 |
0.00 |
|
Donegal Control Office |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Drogheda |
2.07 |
10.76 |
0.00 |
|
Dundalk |
1.81 |
5.62 |
0.00 |
|
Dunfanaghy |
0.86 |
1.58 |
0.00 |
|
Dungarvan |
3.38 |
8.37 |
0.00 |
|
Dungloe |
2.63 |
1.38 |
0.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
3.87 |
9.90 |
0.00 |
|
Edenderry |
3.00 |
15.26 |
0.00 |
|
Ennis |
3.06 |
5.47 |
0.00 |
|
Enniscorthy |
3.43 |
6.18 |
0.00 |
|
Ennistymon |
2.61 |
5.60 |
5.00 |
|
Fermoy |
6.25 |
5.99 |
0.00 |
|
Finglas |
2.39 |
5.34 |
0.00 |
|
Galway |
6.37 |
9.75 |
0.07 |
|
Gorey |
3.39 |
7.13 |
0.00 |
|
Gort |
3.86 |
12.55 |
20.71 |
|
Kells |
2.15 |
12.76 |
0.00 |
|
Kenmare |
3.36 |
4.02 |
0.00 |
|
Kilbarrack |
4.19 |
4.35 |
0.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
3.44 |
7.57 |
11.71 |
|
Killarney |
3.02 |
5.60 |
0.00 |
|
Killorglin |
4.48 |
8.52 |
0.00 |
|
Killybegs |
0.71 |
1.16 |
6.43 |
|
Kilmallock |
2.79 |
4.14 |
16.43 |
|
Kilrush |
4.38 |
4.27 |
0.00 |
|
Kinsale |
7.99 |
11.75 |
0.00 |
|
Letterkenny |
1.48 |
1.96 |
26.29 |
|
Limerick |
3.95 |
6.14 |
0.00 |
|
Listowel |
4.78 |
4.43 |
0.00 |
|
Longford |
6.23 |
9.63 |
12.43 |
|
Loughrea |
3.11 |
14.20 |
24.29 |
|
Macroom |
5.54 |
6.27 |
7.71 |
|
Mallow Branch Office |
6.85 |
6.70 |
0.00 |
|
Manorhamilton |
0.49 |
1.44 |
5.57 |
|
Maynooth |
6.18 |
8.68 |
0.00 |
|
Midleton |
6.50 |
11.46 |
0.00 |
|
Monaghan |
2.70 |
4.99 |
4.24 |
|
Muine Bheag |
1.20 |
5.77 |
0.00 |
|
Mullingar |
4.89 |
12.69 |
13.14 |
|
Navan |
4.07 |
12.65 |
0.00 |
|
Navan Road |
2.37 |
5.23 |
0.00 |
|
Nenagh |
1.50 |
2.51 |
0.00 |
|
Newbridge |
2.42 |
6.83 |
0.00 |
|
Newcastle West |
2.31 |
2.96 |
0.00 |
|
Newmarket |
9.06 |
9.92 |
0.00 |
|
New Ross |
3.14 |
4.29 |
0.00 |
|
Nth Cumberland Street |
2.51 |
2.99 |
0.00 |
|
Nutgrove |
0.74 |
1.78 |
0.00 |
|
Portarlington |
3.32 |
12.31 |
0.00 |
|
Portlaoise |
3.96 |
10.26 |
0.00 |
|
Rathdowney |
4.16 |
14.59 |
0.00 |
|
Roscommon |
3.45 |
6.61 |
0.00 |
|
Roscrea |
1.89 |
2.28 |
0.00 |
|
Skibbereen |
1.78 |
8.55 |
0.00 |
|
Sligo |
2.45 |
11.40 |
0.00 |
|
Swinford |
2.83 |
10.38 |
0.00 |
|
Swords Lo |
5.00 |
4.94 |
0.00 |
|
Tallaght |
2.54 |
4.65 |
0.00 |
|
Thomas Street |
1.69 |
3.94 |
0.00 |
|
Thomastown |
4.91 |
7.34 |
0.00 |
|
Thurles |
1.52 |
2.08 |
0.00 |
|
Tipperary |
1.82 |
2.30 |
0.00 |
|
Tralee |
3.41 |
4.64 |
0.00 |
|
Trim |
3.16 |
10.80 |
0.00 |
|
Tuam |
4.72 |
16.21 |
15.43 |
|
Tubbercurry |
1.18 |
2.94 |
5.43 |
|
Tulla |
1.98 |
3.81 |
0.00 |
|
Tullamore |
3.95 |
8.92 |
0.00 |
|
Tullow |
1.54 |
7.06 |
0.00 |
|
Waterford |
3.52 |
5.00 |
0.00 |
|
Westport |
2.26 |
1.22 |
0.57 |
|
Wexford |
1.88 |
3.90 |
0.00 |
|
Wicklow |
2.19 |
8.73 |
0.00 |
|
Youghal |
5.21 |
8.61 |
0.00 |
33 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans in relation to improving in-work welfare benefits to reduce the incentive to rely totally on welfare for income support. [23288/09]
One of the goals of the social welfare system is to be responsive to the needs of employees in low-paid, casual or vulnerable employment. For example, persons who are employed for up to three days in a week may claim a jobseekers payment in respect of the remainder of the week, subject to being available for full-time work.
In addition, Family Income Supplement (FIS) provides cash support for employees, with families, on low earnings or those seeking to make the transition from welfare to work. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were unemployed and claiming other social welfare payments. Take-up of the scheme has increased significantly in recent years with almost 43,000 new and renewal FIS claims in 2008, compared to just under 38,000 in 2007.
A number of progressive measures have also been introduced in recent years aimed at removing disincentives for people wishing to take employment and to assist in the transition from welfare to work. These measures include the introduction of a tapered withdrawal of means-tested payments for unemployed people and people with disabilities who engage in employment and a tapered withdrawal of certain earnings for people in receipt of the rent and mortgage interest supplements.
34 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she will reform the back to education allowance in order that all jobseekers can avail of the scheme within three months of starting their claim. [23290/09]
Since its introduction, the underlying objective of the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme has been to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. It is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on welfare payments who wish to participate in full time education and who would not otherwise be able to do so.
Changes to provide for earlier access to the scheme were announced in the recent supplementary budget. In order to qualify for participation, an applicant must now be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for three months if pursuing a second level course or 12 months if pursuing a third level course. The qualifying period for access to third level courses is reduced to nine months for those who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan process or engaging with the Department's facilitator programme. People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.
In general, an applicant must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. However, lone parents and recipients of jobseekers' payments who are out of formal education for at least two years can qualify at 18 years of age.
The requirement to be in receipt of a social welfare payment for a minimum period has always been a feature of the scheme. A waiting period is considered essential to confer entitlement to income support for an indefinite period and is considered necessary in the context of targeting scarce resources at those who need it most.
The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The conditionality of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.
36 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will take to ensure that ex-miners are compensated for the health problems they have suffered after years of exposure to coal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24063/09]
The welfare system makes provision for the needs of people, including people employed as miners, under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme. Miners who are unable to work due to an accident arising from their employment may be entitled to occupational injury benefit for the first 26 weeks of their claim. This scheme, operated by the Department, provides entitlement to benefit for people suffering from certain prescribed diseases which are listed in the legislation and where that person has contracted that disease in the course of their employment.
Benefits are payable where a person has contracted one of the diseases listed in the legislation, and they were employed in an occupation which is specifically prescribed in relation to that disease. In addition, benefits may be payable if the claimant can show that the disease was contracted through an employment not specifically prescribed in relation to that disease. If the incapacity extends beyond the 26 week period, claimants may receive illness benefit or invalidity pension, subject to meeting the qualifying conditions for these payments.
Miners may also be entitled to disablement benefit under the occupational injuries scheme. Disablement benefit is a compensation payment specifically for those who suffer a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of an accident at work or a disease prescribed in legislation that they contracted at work. Medical assessments are undertaken in all such cases to determine the degree of disablement, which is calculated by comparison of the state of health of the applicant with the norm for a person of the same age and gender.
37 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has conducted an assessment on the impact of the early retirement scheme on the management of social welfare services and key functions within her Department. [23299/09]
To date, 70 applications have been received for the incentivised scheme of early retirement from staff in the Department. The scheme remains open for applications until 1 September 2009, and while the situation is under constant review, it is not possible to conduct a full assessment on the impact of the scheme on the Department until then.
Staff of the Department have been advised that, taking account of the current pressures on the Department and, in the interest of maintaining services to customers, it may not be possible to approve all applications and that some applications may have to be deferred.
38 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will take to facilitate women, who were forced out of employment due to the marriage rule, to avail of contributory pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25334/09]
The Government is anxious to ensure that as many people as possible can be accommodated within the social welfare pensions system, with due regard being paid to the contributory principle underlying entitlement to contributory payments and, in the case of non-contributory payments, the need to ensure that resources are directed to those who are most in need. Over the past ten years, means tests have been improved and qualifying conditions for contributory payments made easier.
Many women in both the private and the public sectors left employment upon marriage because they were required to or because that was the societal norm at the time. Public servants who left the workforce through the operation of the marriage bar were not insured for social welfare pension purposes. Accordingly, the loss of pension rights in their case relates more to their occupational position rather than social welfare pension entitlements.
That said, the Green Paper on Pensions considered a number of issues related to the qualifying conditions for a social welfare contributory pension including the pension position of women who had to resign due to the marriage bar. The Government is actively considering these issues and will make final decisions in the context of the long-term framework on pensions which I expect will be published in the near future.
39 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she will publish a white paper on pensions policy. [23278/09]
In recent months, the Government has taken several initiatives to tackle the severe difficulties being faced by members of pension schemes, particularly defined benefit schemes. These were immediate difficulties that required a quick response to help protect members' benefits. The Government introduced legislation to create a pensions insolvency payment scheme whereby members of schemes in wind-up whose employer is insolvent may receive a higher proportion of their benefits. Defined benefit scheme wind-up priorities were reordered so that, in any defined benefit wind-up situation, employees and former employees who have not yet retired may receive a large proportion of their benefits. The Government also introduced provisions to allow for more flexible restructuring of pension benefits and stronger regulation regarding remittance of contributions. During this time, the Government has also been engaged in discussions with the social partners, including a strong emphasis on the pensions issue.
I am aware that the pensions issue goes beyond these real and immediate difficulties and that a comprehensive framework is required to deal with all of the challenges facing our pension system over the medium to long term. It is the intention of Government to do so. The Green Paper on Pensions was published in October 2007, the consultation process concluded last year, and the Government has been working to produce a national pensions framework since then.
Where quick responses to difficult pension issues have been required, the Government has done so and legislation has been passed. Producing a national pensions framework, however, requires a considered response that puts comprehensive policies in place that will last for generations. We have a window of opportunity relative to many other countries to address the complex challenges facing our pension system. Our ultimate objective is a pension system which will deliver an adequate retirement income for all which is, at the same time, affordable and sustainable for the State and those who sponsor and provide pension schemes.
In recent weeks, we have seen reports that pension funds are beginning to show positive returns again. While this is to be welcomed, the Government will continue to discuss further long-term reform options for inclusion in the national pensions framework which will be published in the near future.
40 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of applications for jobseeker’s allowance received from people who were formerly self-employed since 1 January 2009 to date in 2009; the number of same which have been processed; the number awarded the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23276/09]
At the end of May there were 9,072 jobseeker's allowance claims coded as having been self-employed prior to making their claim. Of this number 3,393 are in payment, 554 have been disallowed and 5,125 are currently being processed. A self-employed person who was on another social welfare payment immediately prior to making their claim would not be included in these figures.
Self-employed people or those who were formerly self-employed are treated the same as any other applicant for a jobseeker's payment. Those who do not qualify for jobseeker's benefit which is based on PRSI contributions may qualify for jobseeker's allowance provided they satisfy the normal conditions which include a means test.
Generally, self-employed people are assessed on the basis of their income in the past 12 months to determine their expected income in the following year. If a self-employed person lost a contract and was unlikely to find a substitute contract in the coming year, this is factored into the assessment of future income. It is also recognised that the present downturn in the economy is having a significant impact on many self-employed persons and the consequent reduction in their income and activity levels would be reflected in any assessment of their means from self-employment for jobseeker's allowance purposes. Social Welfare Inspectors take account of the economic environment in which the self-employed person is operating when projecting future earnings.
41 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the discussions she has had with the group established by the Government to identify potential cost savings in the public sector in relation to possible cutbacks in her Department’s expenditure. [23297/09]
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was established by the Minister for Finance to examine current expenditure programmes in each Department and to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers so as to ensure a return to sustainable public finances. It is expected that the Group will submit its report to the Minister for Finance shortly.
The Group has not met with individual Ministers in the course of its deliberations. However, at the invitation of the Special Group, my Department submitted a report, as well as expenditure trends to the group in April last on the various schemes and services operated by my Department as in order to facilitate the Group's examination of my Department's expenditure. In addition, the Secretary General of my Department and other officials met with the Group in on May 6 last and a wide-ranging discussion took place.
When available, the Group's conclusions will be considered by the Government and may be taken into account on an ongoing basis in the context of preparing the Estimates of Expenditure for 2010 and later years.
42 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she has taken to ensure that her Department is notified when a person in receipt of a payment from her Department enters full-time permanent nursing home care. [23298/09]
There is an obligation, under Social Welfare legislation, on customers to notify the Department of any change in their circumstances which may affect their entitlement to payment. Customers are informed of this requirement when notified of the decision on their claim and at subsequent reviews.
When a person in receipt of a social welfare payment enters full-time permanent nursing home care they continue to be entitled to their payment, and if aged 70 years and over also remain eligible for the telephone allowance.
The only area where a change in entitlements can arise is where the person is in receipt of Household Benefits — electricity or gas and free television licence. Where a person fails to notify the Department of their change of address, there is a range of control measures in place to address such circumstances. For example:
The various utility companies notify the Department where there is a change of address on a customer's account or where supply is terminated. Payment is immediately suspended in all such cases.
When notification of a change of address is received on any payment scheme where household benefit is also in payment, the household benefit claim is automatically stopped.
Only one household benefits claim is payable per household and controls are in place to prevent payment of more than one entitlement at the same address.
Special projects are undertaken to review customer's ongoing entitlement having regard to specific review criteria.
In addition, regular reviews are undertaken to determine a person's ongoing entitlement to household benefits. Customers are issued with continuing eligibility certificates for completion and return within a specified time.
The Department is committed to ensuring that social welfare payments are available to those who are entitled to them and to ensuring that abuse of the system is prevented and dealt with effectively when detected.
43 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she will reform the back to work enterprise allowance in order that all job-seekers can avail of the scheme within three months of starting their claim. [23291/09]
In order to respond effectively to the growing numbers on the Live Register and the current employment situation, it was decided in the context of the recent supplementary budget to refocus resources on the enterprise strand of the back to work allowance which supports people into self employment. These changes significantly strengthen the supports for job-seekers wishing to move to self employment.
Claimants who qualify for jobseeker's benefit are being afforded immediate access to a new short term enterprise allowance, provided they have 104 contributions paid or have established entitlement to statutory redundancy from their latest period of employment. It is payable at the same rate and for the same duration as jobseeker's benefit.
For job-seekers on the live register, the qualifying period required for access to the back to work enterprise allowance scheme has been reduced from 2 years to 12 months provided an entitlement to jobseeker's allowance is established. Those who do not have an underlying entitlement to jobseeker's allowance can access the scheme, as before, subject to the 2 year qualifying period.
These changes to improve access to the scheme were made in conjunction with a reduction in the period for which the allowance is payable from 4 years to 2 years at 100% of existing social welfare entitlement in the first year and 75% in the second year. Tullamore people who previously participated in the back to work enterprise allowance scheme may apply a second time after a period of at least 5 years has elapsed.
The qualifying conditions will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changing economic circumstances.
44 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of the 300 new staff sought by her to process welfare claims who have been transferred to welfare offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23147/09]
The Department has identified the need for over 300 posts to assist with processing claims and other essential functions in relation to the increasing Live Register.
In recent months the Department has established 5 Local Office Support Units, comprising of 49 posts, in Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon, Finglas and Dublin city. A further 16 Social Welfare Investigators have been assigned to undertake means testing and other work associated with processing claims for Jobseeker's allowance. In addition, some 90 temporary staff have been appointed to Local Offices pending the assignment of permanent staff.
Work is continuing on sourcing the additional posts from within the Department and from other Government Departments. These posts are in addition to extra posts identified during 2008 and now in place to deal with the Live Register.
46 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans in relation to the means testing of child benefit. [23280/09]
47 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her estimate of the administrative cost of means testing child benefit. [23281/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.
As Deputies will be aware, the rates of child benefit have increased significantly since 2001 having trebled for the first two children and increased by over 185% for the third and subsequent children. Overall expenditure on child benefit grew from just under €965 million in 2001 to nearly €2.5 billion in 2008 as a result of these increases and growth in the number of eligible children.
The Government was able to direct such substantial increases in financial support to all Irish families in recent years. However, given the scale of the current economic crisis, it is necessary to address all aspects of the public finances so as to avoid excessive borrowing and to ensure that fairness exists in the allocation of resources. It was in that context that the Minister for Finance announced in the Supplementary Budget the Government's intention to either subject child benefit to income tax or means-test it from 2010.
In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the costs of a possible means-testing of Child Benefit, this would depend on a range of factors including the range and complexity of income sources to be tested. The issues arising from which approach to adopt are considerable. In view of the complexities associated with the two options, the Commission on Taxation is currently examining the issues arising from this proposal. Their deliberations will inform the Government's final decision on how to proceed.
Child Benefit is a key instrument in child income support policy with the main objectives of supporting families in the costs of rearing children and the alleviation of poverty. I assure the House that a decision on how best to proceed will not be taken lightly by the Government.
48 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to amend the benefit and privilege rule for persons under 25 years of age. [23296/09]
There are no plans to amend the benefit and privilege rules for under 25 year olds at this time.
Any further improvements to the means testing arrangements for social welfare schemes generally, including the benefit and privilege assessment arrangements for the jobseeker's allowance and supplementary welfare allowance schemes, would have to be considered in a budgetary context and having regard to available resources.
49 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she proposes to take to ensure adequacy of the social welfare budget to meet the demands arising from the downturn in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23236/09]
The Estimates for the Department of Social and Family Affairs which were published on 23 April last were based, in the main, on an analysis of trends as regards likely numbers of recipients and average value of payments in 2009. The estimates for Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance were significantly increased from the Estimates published at the time of the October Budget. These estimates were increased in line with the Department of Finance's projections of an average Live Register of 440,000 for the year.
Developments on the Live Register are being closely monitored by both my Department and the Department of Finance. The expenditure for all scheme is also being closely monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department.
50 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans in relation to reducing social welfare payments. [23302/09]
I have no plans to introduce any changes to social welfare rates in 2009 other than those changes that were announced in Budget 2009 and in the Supplementary Budget. Social welfare rates of payment for 2010 will be considered later this year in a Budgetary context and having regard to available resources.
51 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she will amend the arrangement whereby only those carers meeting the criteria in early June of each year may qualify for the annual respite grant. [23292/09]
The respite care grant is an annual payment of €1,700 for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain conditions. One respite care grant per year is paid in respect of each person for whom the carer is providing full time, care and attention.
The grant is paid automatically to the majority of carers who are in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit. W here there is a domiciliary care allowance in payment but no carer's allowance or benefit, the respite care grant was paid by the HSE. However, responsibility for the domiciliary care allowance transferred to the Department of Social and Family Affairs in early 2009. Administration of the grant to these recipients will be shared by the HSE and the Department of Social and Family Affairs this year with all applications processed by the Department from 2010.
A carer who does not receive carer's allowance, carer's benefit or a domiciliary care allowance but is providing full-time care and attention to a person must submit an application for payment each year. In order to qualify they must, in addition to other criteria, care for the person for at least six months and this period of care must include the first Thursday in June. This is in order to ensure that the grant is targeted at those providing full-time care over a significant period of time.
This year the grant will benefit almost 70,000 carers. More than 63,200 people in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and domiciliary care allowance will receive the grant along with approximately 6,500 additional full-time carers who are not in receipt of one of these payments. The estimated cost of the scheme to the Department in 2009 is over €112 million. The HSE will also have costs in respect of those grants paid to people in receipt of domiciliary care allowance alone.
While the Department will continue to review its schemes with a view to improving supports for carers a s resources permit, there are no plans to amend the criteria for the respite care grant at this time.
54 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 32 of 30 April 2009, her views on improving entitlements to job-seeker supports for people who were formerly self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23275/09]
Self-employed persons pay a modified rate of PRSI contribution (Class S). These contributions provide cover for long-term pensions such as state pension and widow's/widower's contributory pension. However they do not provide cover for short-term benefits such as jobseeker's and illness benefits — these are only available to persons covered by PRSI Classes A, E, H and P. This reflects the need for coverage for various contingencies, the rate of contributions that self-employed persons pay, the practicalities of administering and controlling access to short-term payments and the annualised system of contributions that these same persons enjoy. A system of separate arrangements for employed and self-employed workers within a social insurance context is common in other European social protection systems. The range of benefits and pensions to which different groups of workers may establish entitlement reflects the risks associated with the nature of their work. This in turn reflects the rate of contribution payable. Self-employed workers are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 3%. They are consequently eligible for a narrower range of benefits than general employees who, together with their employers, pay a total social insurance contribution of 14.05%, excluding levies, under the full-rate PRSI Class A.
In certain cases, a self-employed person who had insurable employment in the relevant year (currently 2007) and has sufficient PRSI contribution paid at the appropriate class s/he may qualify for a jobseeker's benefit payment provided all the conditions of the scheme are satisfied.
A self-employed person who has insufficient PRSI contributions paid may qualify for a jobseeker's allowance which is a means tested payment. Generally, in assessing the means of a self-employed person, a Social Welfare Inspector will take into account the level of earnings in the preceding 12 months to determine their expected income in the following year. However, with the general downturn in the economy at present, it is accepted that earnings in the previous 12 months may not be representative of expected earnings in the coming year. The Social Welfare Inspector will take account of this fact in projecting future earnings. There are no immediate plans to extend cover for short-term benefits to this group of insured workers. Any such measure would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered within a budgetary context. Consideration would also have to be given to an appropriate increase in the rate of the PRSI Class S contribution.
56 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to expand the range of income that is subject to pay related social insurance. [23293/09]
Income chargeable to PRSI is, in general, defined in terms of income liable under Schedule E of the Income Tax Acts. Such income is generally derived from employment or self-employment.
This income base is appropriate to the social insurance system as it is consistent with the contributory principle of the of the social insurance fund, whereby a relationship is established between the employment or self-employment status and the rate of contribution payable and benefits or pensions receivable as a result of these contributions.
In common with many social insurance systems throughout the world, the system is not actuarially based but funded through a pay-as-you-go approach. Today's contributors support both past and current contributors while also ensuring their own future security by building up entitlement to later benefits and pensions and paying into a mechanism that redistributes income over one's own lifetime.
The range of income which is subject to PRSI is reviewed on a regular basis. Most recently in 2004 the exemption of non-pecuniary emoluments from the charge to PRSI was removed. As a consequence, subject to certain exemptions, benefits in kind are now subject to PRSI.
Any further revision of the PRSI base would be a matter for consideration by Government in a budgetary context.
57 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of new applications for farm assist since 1 January 2009; if there is a limit to the number of dairy cows a farmer can have in order to collect farm assist; if the inspector takes into account the factual income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25312/09]
Farm Assist is currently paid to some 7,900 customers and 941 new applications were received since 1 January 2009. The average weekly payment is €217.36.
There is no limit in relation to the size of herd or acreage a farmer may hold when applying for this scheme. In carrying out the means test for farm assist the Social Welfare Inspector seeks to establish the likely income of the farmer in the coming 12 months. In doing this, the income in the previous 12 months is examined and allowance is made for factors which would affect anticipated income in the future, for example a drop in the price of milk, increased fodder or other farming costs. As the Inspector is locally based she/he will be very familiar with farming issues in the locality.
A farmer who is dissatisfied with a decision on a farm assist claim may lodge an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. In addition, a farmer who feels that his/her circumstances have changed since the last means assessment may request a review at any time.
The farm assist scheme is a practical response by the Department to the situation of low-income farmers and it represents a long-term safety net for them. It benefits farm families with children and also provides increased payments to farming couples without children and to single farmers on low income.
58 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether Enterprise Ireland and Invest NI should offer similar packages to potential investors; the action she has taken to develop such consistency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25426/09]
The 2006 Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy sets out the economic rationale for North/South collaboration as well as making concrete proposals for economic initiatives. The case for an all island approach is made where market failure arises from the existence of the border or where public goods and services could be more efficiently produced on a co-ordinated basis.
In the matter of enterprise, the Study identified a number of areas where co-ordinated policy intervention could prove beneficial including co-operation on trade and investment promotion, enhanced co-operation in support of enterprise and business development and improved regulatory environment.
The clients of Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland are faced with similar challenges wherever their location on the island and, in many instances, both agencies offer largely parallel solutions to their clients where such an approach is appropriate. The Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are working together to ensure that the potential for development is exploited and that the challenges are met. In keeping with this goal, Enterprise Ireland's approach is to work in partnership with Invest NI and InterTradeIreland in an effort to maximise the benefits to all their clients.
For example, Enterprise Ireland and Invest NI ran a Cross Border Enterprise Incubation Programme known as the Transform Programme with 43 participants from both jurisdictions. It concluded in August 2008 and more than 60% of these businesses are trading successfully today.
In April 2009 the two agencies launched a new initiative, Propel Ideas into Business Programme, which was strongly supported by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This Programme targets entrepreneurs who have ambitious business ideas with the objective of putting them through an intensive business development programme to make their projects ‘investor ready'.
As far as Enterprise Ireland is concerned, financial support is tailored to the requirements of individual companies on the basis of clearly demonstrated need. The agency has been very successful in providing financial support towards the cost of establishing, growing and expanding businesses. The EI funding is typically a mix of equity and grants and is specifically intended to meet expenses in the areas of research and design, training, job creation and acquisition of capital assets.
Enterprise Ireland's grant aid offer must comply with the stipulations of the European Commission with regard to State Aid. Grants for industry are one instrument which can be used in order to develop enterprise and Enterprise Ireland's broad view is that the differential aid rates allowed in the BMW Region have been of benefit not solely with regard to the rate of start-ups but in terms of the development of existing companies.
Non-financial supports are available for all EI supported projects. These include access to the Enterprise Ireland overseas office network for marketing/market research, technical/ technology and training advice, knowledge events and seminars.
It is in the interest of all parties to continue to work together for the benefit of the all island economy and I am confident that every effort will continue to be made in this regard.
59 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the yearly breakdown of the 60% rebate for the past five years; the top five companies to which they were issued in 2004 to date in 2009; the number of companies that have defaulted on payment of redundancy packages each year; the names of the five largest companies each year; the cost to the Exchequer including loss in tax revenue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25492/09]
Under the Redundancy Payment Scheme, Employers who give proper notice of redundancy (at least two weeks) to employees, and pay the statutory redundancy entitlement to those employees, are entitled to receive a 60% rebate from the Social Insurance Fund into which employers make regular payments through P.R.S.I. contributions. The attached table sets out the monetary value of Rebate and Lump Sum payments paid out by the Department from 2005 and to date in 2009 as well as the number of employees covered by these payments.
Lump sum payments are paid to employees in instances where the employer is either unable to pay or refuses to pay employees their statutory redundancy entitlement. In cases where redundancy payments must be paid from the Fund because of employers' refusal to pay, the statutory lump sum entitlement is paid in full to the employees from the Social Insurance Fund administered by the Department. In such cases, the Department seeks to recover 100% of the monies from the employer. In circumstances of informal insolvency, liquidations, receiverships, examinerships or bankruptcy, the Department is obliged to pay the statutory lump sum entitlement to eligible employees and later seek to recover 40% of the amount paid from the employer.
It is not the practice of my Department to release information on redundancy matters in respect of individuals or companies.
As regards the issue of cost to the Exchequer, the attached table sets out the direct costs from the Social Insurance Fund. With regard to tax foregone, it should be noted that the statutory element of redundancy payments to workers are tax free. Tax would be payable normally on a portion of "ex gratia" payments made by the employer to employees over and above the statutory element. It is not possible to quantify the amount of tax lost as a result given that each job that has become redundant attracts different rates of pay and personal tax allowances.
|
Year |
Rebate |
Lump Sums |
Employee Claims |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
2005 |
137,915,575.00 |
11,256,526.00 |
22,009 |
|
2006 |
152,139,137.00 |
14,343,693.00 |
22,107 |
|
2007 |
167,390,542.71 |
15,937,493.03 |
25,000 |
|
*2008 |
151,157,793.81 |
32,047,916.78 |
29,802 |
|
*To 19th June 2009 |
69,161,698.21 |
55,343,583.55 |
16,809 |
* Provisional figures.
60 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the review of the back to education scheme, which is funded by FÁS, will be available; when the course participants and tutors will be informed of the outcome of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25523/09]
The review of the funding arrangements for CE participants in education is expected to be completed shortly.
61 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when minimum notice payment and payment of outstanding holiday pay will be made to the former employees of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25542/09]
I can confirm that between March and May of this year, my Department has received 1,623 applications under the Insolvency Payments Scheme for Arrears of Wages, Holiday Pay and Minimum Notice on behalf of the former employees of Waterford Crystal. These claims are currently being processed. It has however been necessary to seek further information from the Receiver and a response is currently awaited. Pending receipt of all required information from the Receiver, it is hoped to complete processing and make payments in respect of these claims within the next three to four weeks.
I should point out that the impact on business of the severe economic circumstances currently pertaining has resulted in a significant rise in the level of company receiverships and insolvencies. Consequently, an increasing number of claims are being submitted to the Insolvency Payments Section, with 9,509 new claims recorded from January 1 to May 31 — an increase of over 226% against the corresponding figure for this period in 2008. My officials endeavour to process all claims as quickly as possible and claims are dealt with in order of date of receipt.
62 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the reason he has failed to observe the commitment to paying outstanding bills to private companies within 15 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25427/09]
The period between the receipt of an invoice by my Department and the subsequent payment to the supplier has averaged 10 days thus far in 2009.
63 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax collected under the heading preliminary tax for each of the past ten years and the revised projection for 2009 under this heading in tabular form. [25438/09]
I assume that the Deputy is enquiring about the amounts of income tax paid as preliminary tax by self-assessed taxpayers over the period in question. On that basis I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested is as follows.
|
Calendar year |
Preliminary tax paid (income tax) |
|
€ million |
|
|
1999 |
627 |
|
2000 |
707 |
|
2001 |
674 |
|
2002 |
824 |
|
2003 |
866 |
|
2004 |
960 |
|
2005 |
1,057 |
|
2006 |
1,224 |
|
2007 |
1,251 |
|
2008 |
1,133 |
|
2009 (Budget estimate) |
570 |
The 2001 income tax year was a short transitional tax "year" running from 6 April to 31 December 2001 which preceded the first full calendar tax year 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002. It should be noted that as self-employed taxpayers were assessed for tax for the short "year" on 74% of the profits earned in a 12 month accounting period, the tax figure shown for 2001 in the table will not be directly comparable with those of earlier or later years.
64 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the correspondence of 20 May 2009 from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; when he will reply to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25439/09]
My attention has been drawn to the existence of the correspondence dated 20 May 2009 from the person referred to. I can confirm that the letter has been acknowledged.
65 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to a report (details supplied); if the Office of Public Works will carry out the works; and if funding will be provided by him. [25508/09]
Proposals put forward to date by Mayo County Council for works in the location referred to do not satisfy economic and technical criteria required for funding from the Office of Public Works. Officials of the OPW and the Council are meeting this week in an effort to resolve the matter.
66 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance the provisions or plans he has to put in place to ensure lines of credit to small businesses are re-opened by banks; and if he will clarify the moneys which have been lent by banks to small businesses in the past three months. [25512/09]
A core Government objective is to free up lending on a commercial basis into the economy to support economic growth and a number of actions have been taken to achieve this objective. In the context of the bank guarantee scheme and recapitalisation the banks have made important commitments to support business lending.
A Code of Conduct for Business Lending to Small and Medium Enterprises was published by the Financial Regulator on 13 February and took effect on 13 March. This code applies to all regulated banks and building societies and will facilitate access to credit, promote fairness and transparency and ensure that banks will assist borrowers in meeting their obligations, or otherwise deal with an arrears situation in an orderly and appropriate manner. The business lending code includes a requirement for banks to offer their business customers annual review meetings, to inform customers of the basis for decisions made and to have written procedures for the proper handling of complaints. Where a customer gets into difficulty the banks will give the customer reasonable time and seek to agree an approach to resolve problems and to provide appropriate advice. This is a statutory code and banks will be required to demonstrate compliance.
In addition, as part of the recapitalisation package announced on 11 February, Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland reconfirmed their December commitment to increase lending capacity to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by 10% and to provide an additional 30% capacity for lending to first time buyers in 2009. If the mortgage lending is not taken up, then the extra capacity will be available to SMEs. AIB and Bank of Ireland have also committed to public campaigns to actively promote small business lending at competitive rates with increased transparency on the criteria to be met. Compliance with this commitment is being monitored by the Financial Regulator. Officials from my Department are also in regular contact with the banks concerned in relation to their progress on implementing these measures.
My colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has recently set up a clearing group including representatives from the main banks, business interests and state agencies, which is chaired by officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The purpose of the group is to identify specific patterns of events or cases where the flow of credit to viable businesses appears to be blocked and to seek to identify credit supply solutions. Any questions on the clearing group should be directed to my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
An independent review of credit availability, funded by the banks but managed jointly by the banks, Government and business representatives is also underway and will be completed shortly. Amongst the issues covered by this review will be changes in bank lending, repayment terms and a comparison with customer experiences prior to the onset of the financial crisis. I am satisfied that this review, along with the quarterly reports from the recapitalised institutions, will give a clear picture regarding the flow of credit in the Irish economy which will inform future policy.
The banks report that they are "open for business" as evidenced by their promotional and advertising material. The banks state that they have funds available for lending to businesses and have provided details on approval levels and amounts drawn down. They report a slowdown in certain areas which they say reflects a reduced level of demand. The review of credit availability will consider this aspect. The most recent Central Bank Monthly Statistics for April 2009 show a reduction in total credit outstanding from non-financial corporate bodies of nearly €900 million compared with March 2009. This follows a €1.3 billion reduction for March compared with February 2009.
The banks have also agreed to each provide €15m to a new seed capital fund with Enterprise Ireland. The banks funding will be matched as appropriate by funding under Enterprise Ireland's Seed and Venture Capital Programme and/or by funding from other national or international investors. It is expected that much of these funds will be utilised by SMEs.
67 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible for a person (details supplied) to voluntary withdraw from the Toward 2016 agreement. [25516/09]
Towards 2016 is a Social Partnership agreement. Such agreements are made between the Government and the Social Partners and not with individuals. The terms of Towards 2016 apply to various groups of employees where the relevant unions and employers are parties to the agreement. These terms include a number of pay increases which have been paid to the employees concerned.
68 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the discrepancy and increase in bad debt provision at Anglo Irish Bank over a six month period, he or the relevant agency or authority has undertaken an independent review or audit of the current debt and potential bad debts currently being carried out at major banks here; if he will lay a report of the bad debt exposure at major banks here before the Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas in a timely manner in order that they can make fully informed decisions on future financial measures he may be considering laying before the Members for consideration in the near future; if he has not started such a review, if such a review will be carried out as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25526/09]
The Deputy will be aware from my previous reports to the House that PWC has carried out reviews of the loan books and the capital position of six of the covered institutions. Since then, additional due diligence reviews of Anglo Irish Bank, Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland have been carried out, building on the assessments carried out by PWC.
As I have previously stated, I am not in a position to release information contained in these reviews, other than what has been released to date, because of the commercially sensitive nature of the information.
It was arising from our assessment of the initial reviews of the bad debts of the Irish financial institutions that the Government decided to establish the National Assets Management Agency to ensure that the loan books of the financial institutions were freed up to allow them to lend to the real economy. As I announced in early April, the potential book value of loans that will be transferred to NAMA is in the region of €80 to €90 billion. However, the amount paid by NAMA will be considerably less than this since loans will only be transferred at an appropriate written down value.
69 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will take steps to amend the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulation 1994 in order to include epilepsy, which renders a person unable to drive and unable to travel on public transport due to seizures and claustrophobia, as part of the medical criteria, which would enable the person to be considered for a primary medical certificate and thereby qualify for the tax concession as set out in the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25553/09]
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities.
The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. To get a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of these Regulations.
Some 13,000 people benefited under the scheme in 2008 at an overall estimated cost of €76 million. Any changes would have to be considered in the context of the annual Budget.
70 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason benefits have been removed from a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25480/09]
The Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the subsequent Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005 and the (Health Charges for In-patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 provide the legislative basis for the imposition of long stay charges. The legislation provides for two different classes of person for the purpose of levying a charge.
Class 1
Class 1 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services on premises where nursing care is provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises.
Class 2
Class 2 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services where nursing care is not provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises.
The Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 amend the 2005 regulations and provide for the first increase in the level of long stay charges payable since 2005. The following revised level of charges will apply.
In the case of Class 1 a weekly charge of €153.25 or the weekly income of that person less €44.70, whichever is the lesser. In the case of Class 2 a weekly charge of €114.95 or the weekly income of that person less €70.25 or 60% of the weekly income of that person, whichever is the lesser.
The actual charge levied will vary from person to person depending on individual circumstances and under the legislation the Health Service Executive can waive or reduce the charges to avoid undue financial hardship.
The increase in the level of long stay charge levied is directly linked to recent increases in social welfare entitlements. The new weekly charge for Class 1 of €153.25 represents an increase of €33.25 or 27.7% on the 2005 charges and the new weekly charge for Class 2 of €114.95 represents an increase of €24.95 or 27.7% on the 2005 charges. In the corresponding period from 2005 to 2009 the rate of Disability Allowance payable has increased by €55.50 or 37.3%. The rate of Disability Allowance has increased from €148.80 in 2005 to €204.30 in 2009.
71 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of doctors, nurses and clerical staff assigned to all MMR vaccination teams in the recent vaccination programme conducted in schools before the end of the academic year and excluding the ongoing mop up programme; the number of days work involved for each team while working in the schools; the number of man hours required to complete this initial phase of the vaccination programme; the cost of mileage and subsistence incurred by staff assigned to the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25431/09]
72 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the vaccination programmes and the areas in which it had to be delayed or suspended as a result of the roll out of the recent MMR vaccination programme for fourth, fifth and six year students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25432/09]
73 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of an individual dose of MMR vaccine as administered in the recent vaccination programme to fourth, fifth and sixth year students; the number of vaccinations administered since the programme was initiated on 27 April 2009 to date; the number of school pupils targeted by the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25433/09]
74 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if population health experts made a determination as to the point on the Gausse curve on which the current phase of the mumps outbreak here was at when the decision to implement a vaccination programme for fourth, fifth and sixth year students was made; if population health experts made a determination as to whether the peak of the outbreak had been reached; the anticipated uptake of the programme when it was initiated; if the expected uptake of the programme at that time would be enough to halt the natural course of the epidemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25434/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 to 74, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
75 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children further to the Health Service Executive’s response to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 16 June 2006 if the accepted approach to the control of mumps outbreaks is to ensure a high level of uptake of two doses of MMR vaccine in the population in which cases are occurring; her views on whether such a programme should have been implemented in September 2008 as had been recommended by the Mumps Outbreak Control Team; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25435/09]
The accepted approach to the control of mumps outbreaks is to ensure a high level of uptake of 2 doses of MMR vaccine in the population where cases are occurring.
Outbreaks of mumps have become increasingly frequent in those aged 15 to 24 over recent years and from January to March 2009 there was a huge increase in the number of reported cases compared with the same period in 2008. The outbreak was happening because there was a large number of older teenagers who had not had 2 doses of MMR vaccine and therefore were at risk of getting mumps. In response to this increase, the Health Service Executive, in consultation with my Department decided to offer MMR vaccination to Transition, 5th and 6th Year students in secondary schools nationwide from April 2009.
76 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that an adult day care place is provided by an appropriate service provider for a person (details supplied) in County Cork with disabilities. [25437/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
77 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when the chief inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate will undertake inspections at St. Patrick’s Institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25446/09]
St. Patrick's Institution currently comes under the remit of the prison inspectorate. As such it does not fall to the Authority to inspect. I will consult with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to an appropriate inspection regime for the under 18 age group which are currently accommodated in St. Patrick's Institution, pending the provision of new children detention school facilities.
78 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the mechanism by which the private company was chosen to operate the Emergency Place of Safety Service on behalf of the Health Service Executive; the reason a company (details supplied) was chosen above other firms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25447/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
79 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of Health Service Executive run residential facilities in both Counties Kildare and Cavan; the number of children currently residing in each of these facilities; the annual costs of running these facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25448/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
80 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the bodies from which she will be seeking nominations to sit on the new National Children’s Advisory Council; and the date on which she will make these nominations. [25449/09]
This matter is presently under active consideration. I will be seeking nominations from a number of bodies. I anticipate the formation of the new Council to reflect, in the main, representation of similar bodies as comprised the membership of the previous two Councils.
81 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will publish the complete uncensored report on Madonna House, Dublin; and the persons who have been provided with a copy of the uncensored version of the report to date. [25450/09]
As the Deputy is aware, an abridged report of the inquiry into the operation and management of Madonna House was published in May, 1996. For legal reasons, it is not possible to publish the report in its entirety. From an examination of the records held in my Department, I understand that there was a limited circulation of the full report and this included legal representatives for the State, the then Provincial of the Sisters of Charity and the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.
82 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of confirmed child abuse cases which arose during the lifespan of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25453/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
83 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the protocol the Health Service Executive go through when a child goes missing from their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25454/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
84 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will establish an all-Ireland child protection forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25455/09]
Arising from a North / South Ministerial Council plenary meeting last year, and in recognition of the importance of child protection, a Cross Border Working Group was established to develop greater collaboration in this area.
The Group comprises officials from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and other agencies. The Group is concentrating on five key areas: Vetting and Barring Protocol; Research; Internet Safety; All-island media awareness; and protocol for the movement of children and vulnerable families across our borders.
This initiative builds on existing and ongoing co-operation between the Northern Ireland Executive and Government Departments, agencies and policing bodies, which include the sharing of information on sexual offenders, vetting and developments in respect of services for children.
85 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will initiate and implement a fully funded care matters strategy; if she will ensure that children in care have access to independent advocacy and independent sources of advice; if she will undertake to inform and raise children’s awareness of current independent sources of advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25457/09]
A comprehensive policy, legislative and regulatory framework has been developed over the past couple of decades in respect of children in care. Key policy documents and standards for children in need of care and protection include the Report of the Working Group on Foster Care, the Youth Homelessness Strategy, the Children First Guidelines, National Standards for Foster Care, National Standards for Residential Care and the Agenda for Children's Services. Relevant legislation includes the Child Care Act, 1991, the Child Care Regulations, 1995, the Children Act, 2001, and the Health Act, 2007.
The Child Care Act, 1991 specifically requires the HSE, in carrying out its functions, to regard the welfare of children as the first and paramount consideration and in so far as practicable have regard to the wishes of the child.
Section 26 of the Act provides that the court may appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) in any proceedings, where the child might become the subject of a care or supervision order or is being placed in the care of the HSE. The GAL is an independent representative appointed by the court to ensure that the views of the child are heard by the court and to advise the court on the best interests of the child.
With regard to the issue of advocacy the Office of the Ombudsman for Children was established in 2004 following the enactment of the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002. The Office provides an independent mechanism to vindicate the rights of children as required under the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child. The establishment of the Office was in recognition of the need for an independent person to act as an advocate for children and promote the welfare and rights of the child.
A number of non-governmental organisations are also actively involved on a national basis in advocating on behalf of and providing information and advice to children. A number of these organisations are in receipt of State funding.
During 2007, my Office established the Inclusion Programme to develop best practice in participation, by providing new opportunities for seldom-heard young people to become involved in decision-making structures. Funded organisations under this programme include advocacy groups such as Barnardos and Irish Association of Young People in Care. The programme is independently evaluated. It is intended to capture the learning from this programme to ensure that an increasing number of seldom-heard young people can take part in decision-making structures and processes.
86 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the supports and services currently available to transgender children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25458/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
87 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the dates on which she will recruit the 270 extra social workers which she has committed to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25459/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
88 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received the reports on the deaths of persons (details supplied) who died while in the care of the State; the other persons who have been given copies of the reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25460/09]
89 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the reports on the deaths of persons (details supplied) who died while in the care of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25461/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
I have received a copy of the reports referred to by the Deputy. The reviews were undertaken by the HSE following the deaths of two individuals who were in receipt of HSE services. The publication of both reports is a matter for the HSE. I understand in this context that the HSE has indicated that it is not intended to publish the two reports. In considering the issue of publication the HSE must be cognisant of the right to privacy and confidentiality of the deceased and any remaining family members. I have asked the HSE to advise me on the potential for publication by the HSE of the key findings of the reports where they relate to service provision generally and with a view to informing the development of child welfare and protection policy and services.
90 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of the €100 million which was set aside in budget 2009 in respect of services for children with disabilities and mental health problems which has been spent; the details of what this has been spent on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25462/09]
The Deputy should note that additional funding of €10 million was provided in Budget 2009 for the HSE for disability and mental health to enable these services to be enhanced and strengthened.
This funding will allow for the provision of a total of 125 additional therapy posts in the HSE targeted at children of school-going age. 90 of these will be in disability services, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
This additional funding will also allow for the recruitment of 35 therapy posts for the child and adolescent mental health service. This will enable the HSE to increase the number of Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams to 69 by the end of 2009. Once-off funding of €1m was provided for suicide prevention initiatives including the development of an awareness campaign aimed at young people. Furthermore, additional once-off funding of €750,000 was allocated for mental health projects supporting service users and carers.
The Deputy should note that overall funding of approximately €1.56 billion is provided in the Estimates 2009 for disability services and €1 billion is provided for mental health services.
In accordance with the procedures to control public finances and the Health Act 2004 which established the HSE, the HSE must receive the sanction of the Minister for Finance before it may enter into new commitments in respect of the development of services. This is provided each year after the publication of the Revised Book of Estimates and is given in accordance with strict provisions regarding the use of funds, in particular funds allocated to further enhance and develop services.
As the Deputy is aware the finalisation of the revised estimates and their publication was delayed due to the necessity for the Government to deal with the critical situation facing the public finances. The letter of sanction, which includes sanction of development funding issued to the HSE on 15 June. In view of the urgency of the matter the Minister for Finance sanctioned the funding for the suicide prevention programme on the 18 May.
The additional development funding provided in Budget 2009 has been allocated to a new subhead for service developments. These funds together with the other expenditure of the HSE are the subject of regular and detailed analysis by my Department.
91 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the decision to close some facilities at Cherry Orchard Respite Services, Dublin; if her attention has been drawn to the plans to move patients from the long-stay care ward into the roll-over respite service unit and that people who use the respite service will have to move to different locations outside the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25475/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
92 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25481/09]
The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.
93 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an over 70’s medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25500/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
94 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 12 February 2009, when the person will receive a written response to the issues raised; the reason he has not received a full response since 2005; her views on whether it is acceptable that the contents of a letter addressed to her four years ago has not been addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25520/09]
I understand that the HSE has been in correspondence with the individual concerned over the last number of years and that it is continuing to deal with the issues in the manner most appropriate to this particular case.
95 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) has not been moved into community housing which was purchased in 2001 for €640,000 and refurbished in January at a cost of €500,000 despite a commitment being given by the Health Service Executive to making the move in December 2008 and again in April 2009 but has been deferred again due to inadequate staffing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25522/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
96 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expand on her recent reply to this Deputy in respect of integration of Northern and Southern health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25527/09]
As I informed the Deputy in my reply of 10 June, discussions are ongoing between officials from my Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland in regard to the potential for cross-border co-operation in radiotherapy services, following the announcement of Minister McGimpsey of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland of the provision of a satellite radiotherapy centre, linked to Belfast City Hospital, at Altnagelvin.
I understand that the facility is expected to be operational by 2015 and I anticipate that Donegal patients will be among those using it. Since my reply of 10th June, there have been no further developments in this regard.
If there is a specific issue on which the Deputy requires further information, I would be happy to supply it.
97 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a GMS card will issue to a person (details supplied). [25528/09]
The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that it responded to the Deputy on 11th June last by email informing him that the completed review application form for a medical card had been received, that this review application has been processed and that a new medical card has issued to the person involved.
98 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of 20 May 2009. [25529/09]
I have been informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it does not routinely keep the information required by the Deputy in the format requested by him and therefore it has to be generated and collated across each of the 32 Local Health Offices. I have also been informed that the HSE is actively pursuing the responses on the Deputy's behalf and replies will issue as soon as the information has been compiled.
99 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 20 May 2009. [25530/09]
100 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 20 May 2009. [25531/09]
101 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 20 May 2009. [25532/09]
102 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 20 May 2009. [25533/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 102, inclusive, together.
I have been informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it does not routinely keep the information required by the Deputy in the format requested by him and therefore it has to be generated and collated across each of the 32 Local Health Offices. I have also been informed that the HSE is actively pursuing the responses on the Deputy's behalf and replies will issue as soon as the information has been compiled.
103 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 20 May 2009. [25534/09]
My office has contacted the HSE on this matter to ask that a reply be provided as soon as possible. The HSE has stated that it is actively pursuing a response on this matter on the Deputy's behalf and that a reply will issue as soon as the information is available.
104 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 20 May 2009. [25535/09]
I have been informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it does not routinely keep the information required by the Deputy in the format requested by him and therefore it has to be generated and collated across each of the 32 Local Health Offices. I have also been informed that the HSE is actively pursuing the responses on the Deputy's behalf and that a reply will issue as soon as the information has been compiled.
105 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 186 of 20 May 2009. [25537/09]
I have been informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it does not routinely keep the information required by the Deputy in the format requested by him and therefore it has to be generated and collated across each of the 32 Local Health Offices. I have also been informed that the HSE is actively pursuing the responses on the Deputy's behalf and that a reply will issue as soon as the information has been compiled.
106 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 21 May 2009. [25538/09]
I have been informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it does not routinely keep the information required by the Deputy in the format requested by him and therefore it has to be generated and collated across each of the 32 Local Health Offices. I have also been informed that the HSE is actively pursuing the responses on the Deputy's behalf and that a reply will issue as soon as the information has been compiled.
107 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children her proposals to amend the organ donation law (details supplied). [25541/09]
My Department is currently preparing the General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill to regulate the removal, retention, storage, use and disposal of human tissue from deceased persons, and the use of donated tissue from living persons for the purposes of transplantation and research. A public consultation on the draft Proposal for the General Scheme of the Bill took place between 9 April and 29 May. Submissions received are currently being analysed. The types of activities covered by the proposals include hospital post-mortem examinations and the use of organs and tissues for transplantation, research, anatomy and education.
One aim of the draft legislation is to establish a legal framework for organ donation which can benefit patients through transplantation of organs. Consent/authorisation is the defining principle underpinning any of the specified activities involving human tissue set out in the draft legislation. A separate, but related, public consultation on the different types of consent for the donation of organs for transplantation after death took place earlier this year and more than one thousand submissions were received. Ireland already has one of the higher rates of organ donation, ranked seventh in Europe in 2007. All organ donation in Ireland is coordinated through the Organ Procurement Service, which is based in Beaumont Hospital.
My Department is analysing all submissions received from the consultation process and aims to present the final General Scheme to Government for its approval in the Autumn.
108 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the needs of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin are met and funded by the Health Service Executive; if she will report on the executive’s solution for this person’s needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25546/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
109 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25573/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
110 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the medical card of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare is applicable throughout Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25574/09]
A medical card is granted to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship. Holders of a medical card are entitled to general practitioner services, prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultant services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultant services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, child health services, home nursing and a maternity and infant care service.
The medical card is evidence of entitlement to these health services in Ireland and is not applicable throughout Europe.
111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card is expected to issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25609/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25610/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
113 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25611/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
114 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25612/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
115 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25613/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
116 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for eye surgery through their general medical service card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25614/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
117 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the value for money reviews conducted or in progress for all transport infrastructure projects since 2004 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25442/09]
The Value for Money Reviews carried out by this Department since 2004 are set out in tabular form below.
|
Name of Review |
Year completed |
|
Road Safety |
2006 |
|
CIE Subvention |
2007 |
|
The DTO Traffic Management Grants Scheme |
2008 |
|
Strategic Non National Roads |
2008 |
|
Railway Safety Programme |
2008 |
|
Regional Airport Expenditure |
In progress |
118 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that cuts in rural transport are not proceeded with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25513/09]
I have no plans to reduce the Euro 11 million allocation for the Rural Transport Programme in 2009. Arrangements for the provision of services funded under the Programme are matters for individual rural community transport groups. Funding for the Programme in 2010 and subsequent years will be considered in the course of the Estimates process, having regard to the overall availability of resources.
119 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status regarding the provision of a closed circuit television system for the town of Ennis and specifically the area of Cloughleigh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25428/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a Garda operated and maintained town centre CCTV system is operational in Ennis and is monitored on a 24-hour basis by An Garda Síochána. Under the Community Based CCTV Scheme administered by my Department, capital funding of almost €100,000 has been approved for the installation of a scheme in Ennis with matching funding being provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. This scheme, which will cover the Cloughleigh estate, has recently been approved by the local Joint Policing Committee and installation is expected to commence later this year.
120 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to correspondence of 14 May 2009 from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; when he will reply to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25441/09]
I am aware of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy. I have requested the Garda Commissioner to furnish a report on the matters raised and I will reply to the person when the report is to hand.
121 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce legislation that will give children the same legal protection from assault as adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25456/09]
Under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, it is an offence to assault any person, adult or child. Also, it is an offence under the Children Act 2001 for a person who has custody of a child to assault, ill-treat, neglect or abandon or expose a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child's health or seriously affect the child's well-being. The common law recognises the right of a parent to administer moderate or reasonable physical chastisement on a child. This right takes the form of the defence of reasonable chastisement in the event of prosecution. In order to rely successfully on this defence, the motive for, duration and force of physical punishment must be objectively reasonable. It would be for a court to decide what is objectively reasonable.
Government policy in this area is expressed in the National Children's Strategy, launched in November 2000. One of the objectives of the Strategy, which has a ten year life span, states". . . As part of a policy of ending physical punishment, parenting courses will focus on alternative approaches to manage difficult behaviour in children”. The Office of the Minister for Children is coordinating the Strategy. The present legal arrangements can be reviewed in light of developments arising from the Strategy.
122 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will supply figures (details supplied); if he will provide same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25491/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that overtime expenditure from the Garda Vote (including civilian overtime) for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 (up to 24/6/09) is as set out in the table.
|
Garda Overtime Expenditure |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 (up to 24.6.09) |
|
Total |
€138,354,392 |
€115,280,101 |
€41,746,225 |
The increased level of resources and manpower now available to the Commissioner means that there is less dependency on overtime within the organisation. As a matter of record the overtime allocation for Operation Anvil has increased from €20m in 2008 to €21m in 2009. The total overtime budget for An Garda Síochána in 2009 is €80m.
123 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to take in a new group or groups of trainee gardaí to Templemore in 2009; if so, when and the number of places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25494/09]
As the Minister for Finance has made clear, the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service applies to the Garda Síochána, both sworn members and civilian support staff. By its nature, it does not apply to the Garda Reserve, whose members are unpaid volunteers who do not occupy public service posts. The total intake of students in the first months of 2009 was 200 with the second intake of students occurring in early May. After that the moratorium on recruitment applies. The moratorium is due to remain in place until the end of 2010, and can only be deviated from in exceptional circumstances with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
124 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for naturalisation in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25509/09]
Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons concerned were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 19 January 2005.
Officials in that section inform me that processing of the applications are at an advanced staged and the files will be forwarded to me for a decision in the coming months.
125 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the procedure for the issuing of visas to Third World country students wishing to choose Ireland as a base for studying the English language; the processing time for such student visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25518/09]
My Department processes visas for non-EEA nationals who are visa required. The procedure for the issuing of such visas to students wishing to choose Ireland as a base for studying the English language is reviewed on an ongoing basis including the consideration with regards to risk assessment and processing arrangements.
Regarding processing times for visa applications, in our dedicated overseas offices such visa applications are processed typically in two to three weeks. Applications referred to Dublin are generally being turned around within five days of receipt in Dublin.
126 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 24 February 2009, the position regarding the average waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25519/09]
I am informed by the Property Registration Authority (PRA) that a letter containing the information requested issued to the Deputy on 27 February, 2009 in response to Question No. 268 of 24 February, 2009. I also understand that the PRA has issued a copy of the above mentioned letter to the Deputy in recent days.
127 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation will be decided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25540/09]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 360 on 6 May, 2009. The position remains as stated.
128 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of legal challenges to decisions which he has made to refuse applications for certificates of naturalisation; the number of these challenges which were successful or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/09]
Since 2008 there have been eighteen legal challenges in the High Court to the decisions which the Minister has made to refuse applications for certificates of naturalisation. Seventeen of these challenges were unsuccessful. One case was successful in that the court ordered that the Minister reconsider his decision on the basis that certain information provided in the submission prepared for the Minister should not have been presented.
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956 and 1986, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation. There is no appeal process provided for in legislation, however the applicant can at any time make a new application.
The decision on whether or not to grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation lies solely with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The courts may not instruct or compel the Minister to reach any specified decision on an application for naturalisation because of the constitutional separation of powers.
129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25571/09]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the person to whom he refers was granted permission to remain in the State, in 2000, under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish citizen children. I am informed that the permission granted is currently valid until 13 September 2010.
130 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25572/09]
Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.
The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State in February 2002, under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish citizen children. The most recent permission to remain in the State, granted to the person in question expired on 6 April, 2009. I am informed that the person concerned subsequently presented for registration at the Garda National Immigration Bureau, and was refused as he was not accompanied by his wife or Irish citizen child.
131 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for residency or citizenship in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25577/09]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 656 on 24 September 2008. The position remains as stated.
Officials in my Department inform me that there is no record of any application for residency from the persons concerned.
132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25578/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 22 February 2006. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 9 February 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered, under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file is passed to me for decision.
133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25579/09]
There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency or citizenship in the case of the person whose details were supplied.
If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.
134 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for extended residency on foot of marriage to an Irish citizen in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25580/09]
An application for residence in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national was made by the person in question on 2 December 2008. An initial request for documentation was made to the application by the Immigration Services Section of my Department on 5 May 2009. A further request for documentation was made to the applicant on 17 June 2009. Upon receipt of the requested documentation, the application will be considered and a decision will issue in due course.
135 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25581/09]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in December 2008.
The average processing time from application to decision is now at 23 months. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in early 2008. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
136 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25582/09]
Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.
137 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the residency status in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25583/09]
The person concerned claimed asylum in the State on 24/10/2006 and had his claim examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner following which it was recommended that he should be recognised as a refugee.
Based on this recommendation, the person concerned was advised of my decision to issue him with a formal declaration of refugee status by letter dated 31/01/2007. This communication also advised the person concerned of the rights and entitlements accompanying refugee status in the State. The person concerned continues to hold the status of refugee in the State. There is no record of the second named person having been in the asylum process.
138 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for citizenship in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25584/09]
Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in September 2007.
The average processing time from application to decision is now at 23 months. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in early 2008. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale.
Officials inform me that both applications are at an advanced stage of processing and the files will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.
There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
139 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25585/09]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person concerned was the subject of a Family Reunification application which was approved in August 2005. I am also informed that it is not open to applicants for Refugee Family Reunification to make applications in respect of family members.
I am further informed by INIS that there is no record of a Family Reunification application in respect of her sister. If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.
140 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to long term residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25586/09]
The person referred to by the Deputy applied for Asylum on 11/01/2005. The claim was assessed by the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The Commissioner’s recommendation was communicated to him by letter dated 29/06/2005. This communication advised the person of his entitlement to appeal the Commissioner’s recommendation to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which he duly did.
The Refugee Appeals Tribunal considered the person's appeal, following which the Tribunal affirmed the Commissioner's earlier recommendation to reject his claim. The outcome of the appeal was made known to the applicant by letter dated 12/06/2009.
In accordance with normal procedures, the applicant's file has been forwarded to my Department's Ministerial Decisions Unit for final processing of the Asylum claim. A letter will issue to him from my Department advising him formally that his asylum claim has been rejected and affording him three options as follows: 1. Return home voluntarily; 2. Consent to the making of a deportation order; or 3. Make written representations to me within 15 working days for temporary leave to remain in the State and/or make an application for subsidiary protection under the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (SI No. 518 of 2006).
141 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 14 May 2009, wherein he stated the person concerned should apply for a visa to enter the State from the Irish embassy in South Africa and in view of the fact that on presentation the person concerned was informed that such application should take place from Dublin, the options available to the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25587/09]
On the basis of the information provided by the Deputy's office, it is open to the person concerned to make an on-line visa application. Comprehensive guidelines for making visa applications is available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration website (www.inis.gov.ie). The applicant may submit all relevant documentation to the Irish Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, in this instance.
In view of the information previously provided, the application will be forwarded to the Visa Office, Burgh Quay, Dublin for immediate processing of the visa application.
142 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding citizenship or long term residency in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25588/09]
Officials in the Long Term Residency Section of my Department inform me that there is no record of any applications received from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the first person concerned was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 14 January 2009. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 23 months. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in early 2008. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received, from the second person mentioned, in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 27 February 2007. Officials in that section inform me that processing of the application is at an advanced stage and it is likely that the file will be forwarded to the me for a decision in the coming months. However, the Deputy should note that the address quoted in the question does not match the address recorded on file. If the applicant has changed address, she should notify the Citizenship Division as soon as possible.
143 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25589/09]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person concerned is the subject of a Family Reunification application made in February 2009.
The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to INIS. This application will be considered by INIS and a decision will issue in due course. Applications are currently taking approximately 24 months to process.
144 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the determination of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25590/09]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No 167 of 2 April 2009.
The person's case is currently being considered by officials in my Department in the context of Section 3 of the Immigration Act,1999. The person concerned will be contacted directly and notified of any decision made regarding his status in the State in due course.
145 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in regard to the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25591/09]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008.
The average processing time from application to decision is now at 23 months. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in early 2008. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible.
146 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in regard to the application for refugee or residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25592/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 21 June 2007. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 12 March 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (SI No. 518 of 2006).
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered, under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file is passed to me for decision.
147 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in regard to the application for residency on the grounds of subsidiary protection in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25593/09]
The application of the person concerned is registered at the appeal stage of the asylum process. You will be aware that information in relation to any applicant (other than to a duly authorised Legal Representative) can be issued by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal only with the written approval of the applicant.
148 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if long-term residency will be awarded on humanitarian grounds in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25594/09]
The first named person concerned applied for asylum on 22 March 2004. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the first named person concerned was informed, by letter dated 31 March 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been submitted on behalf of the first named person concerned and will be fully considered before the file is passed to me for decision.
The second named person concerned, the wife of the first named person concerned, applied for asylum on 22 February 2006. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the second named person concerned was informed, by letter dated 9 November 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
The second named person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the second named person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the second named person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the second named person concerned will be passed to me for decision.
149 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received the application for long-term residency in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25595/09]
Officials in the Long Term Residency Section of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question.
150 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the fact that in his reply to a pervious parliamentary question he indicated that a person (details supplied) in County Kildare entered the country in 2008, did in fact first enter the country on 31 January 2001 as an unaccompanied minor and has remained here since with their mother and that this information was conveyed to his Department on 31 January 2001 when the East Coast Area Health Board handed over responsibility to their mother, he will review the case on these grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25616/09]
The question concerned refers to my response to a previous Parliamentary Question in relation to the person concerned. However, no further information identifying the specific previous Parliamentary Question referred to has been supplied. Following an extensive review of all previous Parliamentary Questions regarding the person concerned, officials in my Department have been unable to locate the specific Question. Indeed I am informed that no record of a reply which stated that the person concerned entered the State in 2008 could be found. Efforts to make contact with the Deputy's office to clarify the matter were unsuccessful. Therefore, in the absence of any further information regarding the specific Parliamentary Question referred to by the Deputy, I am unable to give a detailed response.
If the Deputy could revert to my Department with the number and answer date of the Parliamentary Question referred to in his question, I will then be in a position to give a detailed response.
151 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will define the boundary in Lough Foyle which determines the area which is in the Republic of Ireland and that which is in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25510/09]
There has been no formal agreement between Ireland and the UK on the delimitation of a territorial waters boundary between the two states. However, the policy of the two Governments has been to co-operate in a pragmatic fashion. In that context, the Loughs Agency, one of the North/South Bodies arising from the Good Friday Agreement, is responsible for the regulation of certain activities throughout Lough Foyle, as was the Foyle Fisheries Commission before it.
152 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to persons (details supplied); if they are eligible for Irish passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25421/09]
The Passport Act (2008) sets out the requirements for obtaining an Irish passport. In particular, the Act states that passports may only be issued to persons who are Irish citizens, within the parameters of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts. In general, a person acquires Irish citizenship through one of the following means; by descent if one of his/her parents was an Irish citizen at the time of the person's birth; by marriage to an Irish citizen; or by naturalisation.
The person born in the United Kingdom to an Irish mother is automatically entitled to Irish citizenship and therefore to an Irish passport. She should complete a passport application form and submit the long form of her own birth certificate, the long form of her mother's birth certificate and her mother's marriage certificate, if applicable.
The contact details for the Irish General Registrar's Office are:
General Register Office, Government Offices,
Convent Road, Roscommon.
Tel: 090 6632900
LoCall: 1890 252076
The contact details for the General Register Office in the UK are:
General Register Office
Smedley Hydro
Trafalgar Road
Birkdale
Southport PR8 2HH
Telephone : 0044 170 456 9824
A person married to an Irish citizen and resident in Ireland can apply to become an Irish citizen by means of Naturalisation. Consideration of all applications for Naturalisation is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Information regarding the application process for Naturalisation is available on the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform website (www.justice.ie).
153 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Israel’s continuing blockade of Gaza, in particular, on its arbitrary prohibition of items such as tinned meat, tomato paste, clothing, shoes and notebooks (details supplied). [25554/09]
As I have stated in this House and elsewhere, I consider the continued effective blockade of Gaza by Israel to be both morally unacceptable and politically mistaken. I have consistently emphasised, in discussions with my EU colleagues and directly to Israeli Ministers, my view that the blockade should be brought to an end immediately, and the crossing points opened without restrictions on the normal movement of persons and goods.
The main reasons advanced by the Israeli authorities for these restrictions were attacks on Israel from Gaza and the continued holding of the kidnapped Corporal Shalit. I have repeatedly condemned both these actions on behalf of the Government. However, neither are the responsibility of the people of Gaza as a whole and it is unacceptable to punish them collectively in the general hope that this will generate pressure on the Hamas authorities in Gaza.
After two years of this blockade, this policy has completely failed in its goal of undermining the control of Gaza by Hamas. If anything, it has only served to increase support for Hamas and other radical and militant groups, both by directly radicalising young Palestinians and by destroying the economic enterprises which could offer them an alternative path in life. It is also steadily eroding the sympathy which has existed internationally for Israel's real concerns about security.
As I have stated in Dáil Éireann, the decisions as to which items are or are not allowed into Gaza have defied all comprehension. The blocking of food deliveries has understandably created the greatest anger, in due course leading to an Israeli decision to allow all food imports. It is clear, however, that some foodstuffs continue to be blocked on the basis that they are luxuries, not necessities, and that the total level of food imports is restricted to just above what is needed for subsistence.
Frankly, it is also difficult to discount altogether the possibility that the interests of Israeli food producers and storage companies are involved in the decisions governing the supply of foods and other goods to a population of 1.4 million people, as well as the restrictions on exports by producers in Gaza. Growers of fruit, vegetables and flowers in Gaza are of course unable to remain in business if they cannot export their produce when it is ready.
The only acceptable course of action, and the one which is in Israel's own interests, is to end this blockade immediately.
154 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the statement made by Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu on 14 June 2009; if he will ensure that Ireland will in no way support improved trade relations between Israel and the EU; and his further views on Israel’s refusal to halt all expansion in the West Bank. [25617/09]
The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 June welcomed as an initial step the statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu which recognised the goal of a peace which would involve the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is important that Mr. Netanyahu, as Likud leader and Prime Minister, has finally stated this, and to a conservative audience in Israel.
I was disappointed, however, with the heavily qualified nature of Prime Minister Netanyahu's willingness to contemplate a future Palestinian state, which essentially accorded priority to Israel's security concerns above all other considerations.
The aim of the peace process, as the EU has consistently made clear, must be a comprehensive settlement based on two states coexisting in peace, providing for the security, dignity and aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. The security of both Israelis and Palestinians is a legitimate concern which must be addressed in the negotiations. However, Israeli demands on ‘final status issues' cannot be accepted as preconditions to the process. President Obama has made it clear that this is also his view.
We will therefore be watching closely what the parties actually do, as well as what their statements contain.
The continued expansion of Israeli settlements is a major problem which I have focussed on in discussions at EU level and with Israeli and other leaders in the region. This relentless process is creating obstacles to peace which may make it very difficult for any Israeli Government to reach a peace agreement with its neighbours and serves to weaken the standing of moderate Palestinian leaders. Moreover, the daily and cumulative injustices and humiliations which the whole settlement process involves for the Palestinian population continually increase the risk of another large scale descent into violence.
It was therefore disappointing, if not unexpected, that Mr. Netanyahu's speech rejected the demand of both the EU and the United States for an immediate freeze on settlement construction. It is true that he pledged that no new settlements would be constructed, but in terms that were general enough to allow almost any interpretation. Again, this is a critical area where we will be watching what actually happens on the ground. Continued evictions of Palestinians and destruction of their homes will be a clear rejection of the demands of the international community.
In relation to EU — Israel relations, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 329 of 23 June, in which I dealt with this issue in more detail. What had been envisaged was a deepening of political relations and cooperation on practical matters, rather than trade relations. In the event, and in line with the argument I have been consistently making with our EU partners, the Council has decided not to proceed with the so-called ‘upgrade' of political relations at this time, and practical cooperation will continue to be governed by the existing agreement.
155 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the Civil Registration Office has no facility in their Dublin Office for adopted persons to obtain duplicate birth certificates; if this is discrimination; the further reason the Roscommon office insist on communications by fax rather than by e-mail and that payment by laser card is not permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25424/09]
156 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason, in respect of the General Registry Office, the Dublin Office has no facility for adopted people to obtain duplicate birth certificates there and that the Roscommon office insists on communications being conducted primarily through fax and not e-mail; the further reason payment by laser card is not permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25495/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
I have made enquiries of an tÁrd-Chláraitheoir regarding the matter raised by the Deputy and the position is as set out below.
The provisions governing the registration of domestic adoptions and the issue of birth certificates drawn from the register of adoptions are set out in section 22 of the Adoption Act, 1952. Under these provisions, the Registrar General is charged with maintaining an Adopted Children Register and also to keep an index to make traceable the connection between each entry and the corresponding entry in the register of births. The index is not open to public inspection and no information from it may be given to any person except by order of a Court or of the Adoption Board. A certified copy of an entry in the Adopted Children Register, if purporting to be issued under the seal of Oifig an Árd-Chláraitheora, shall, without further proof, be received as evidence of the facts stated therein and any requirement of law for the production of a certificate of birth shall be satisfied by the production of such certified copy.
Under the above provisions, birth certificates for adopted persons are available only from the Office of the Registrar General. While it is appreciated that this may cause a degree of inconvenience in certain instances the security and confidentiality of the Adopted Children Register is of paramount importance and it is for this reason only that the restriction on availability exists. For this reason also, there are no plans to amend the legislation to change the current arrangements in relation to this matter.
At the moment persons applying to GRO for certificates of life events may do so in writing or by fax. Payments are accepted by Visa or Mastercard. An on-line application facility for records of life events, including adoption events, is at an advanced stage of development and will be introduced shortly. Payments by credit card, including laser card, will be a feature of the on-line service.
157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the clothing allowance will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25576/09]
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.
The Executive has advised that it has no record of an application for an exceptional needs payment from the person concerned. The Executive has further advised that the person concerned should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre if he wishes to discuss any entitlements he may have under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
158 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will arrange for her Department to collect information and statistics on the number of people who apply for mortgage interest supplement; the number of people who have been refused mortgage interest supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23446/09]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest. The purpose of the supplement is to provide short term support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only.
There are currently 12,900 people in receipt of mortgage interest supplement, an increase of 213% over those in payment at end 2007.
The mortgage interest supplement scheme is administered by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Department and is delivered locally by community welfare officers. The operational arrangements for the processing of applications and the payment to qualifying individuals, is a matter for the respective community welfare division areas.
A community welfare officer interviews applicants for mortgage interest supplement when they first present in order to determine if they satisfy the statutory qualifying conditions for entitlement. They also ensure that all the documentation required to make a decision has been provided. Claim details are recorded on the computer system in cases where it is established that mortgage interest supplement is payable. However, given the considerable pressures on the service claim details are not always recorded on the system where no entitlement has been established to mortgage interest supplement, where an appeal has been lodged with an appeals officer of the HSE, case claim details are recorded electronically.
For this reason, reliable statistics are not available on the total number of people who applied for and were refused mortgage interest supplement. The review of the administration of the mortgage interest supplement scheme is progressing. The main purpose of the review is to consider how the mortgage interest supplement scheme can best meet its objective of catering for those who require assistance on a short-term basis, where they are unable to meet mortgage interest repayments on their sole place of residence. Legislative and operational issues arising in the existing mortgage interest scheme, are also being examined. The review will also examine operational aspects of the scheme including best practice in the recording, collating and maintenance of statistical data on the mortgage interest supplement scheme.
160 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she is taking to deal with the long waiting times for a Money Advice and Budgeting Service appointment in some areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23439/09]
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. There are 53 independent MABS companies with voluntary boards of management operating the local services throughout the country. In addition, the MABS National Telephone Helpline is available from 9am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, at lo-call number 1890 283 438 and budgeting and money management information can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie.
In 2009, almost €18 million has been provided to fund the MABS. Additional investment in recent years has strengthened the capacity of the MABS to deal with increased demand for service. There are 252 money advice staff employed throughout the country and the Telephone Helpline has been strengthened to provide an immediate response to clients seeking information and advice.
All MABS companies operate an appointments system for meeting clients. Clients with urgent difficulties are prioritised for attention and dealt with promptly. Cases that are less urgent are referred to the Telephone Helpline and to the website for immediate assistance with budgeting and money management issues. The Helpline can now handle less complex straight forward single debt cases such as threatened utility disconnections and deals directly with the ESB and An Bord Gais in relation to these cases. Over 90% of callers to the Helpline find that their money management and budgeting issues can be resolved with the assistance of the helpline advisor. The Telephone Helpline also assists local services to manage their appointment lists by providing an initial MABS service to clients and ongoing support while they await their appointment with their local money advisor.
Local services monitor their waiting times for appointments and, where required, seek guidance and assistance in managing their caseload from MABS NDL, the national support company. Information is not collected centrally on waiting times for appointments at different MABS offices throughout the country.
MABS NDL has introduced a number of community education and other management support initiatives to assist the local services with their increased caseloads. These include an education programme for people facing redundancy to inform them about managing on a reduced income and how to avoid getting into debt.
161 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason an application for a payment by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been finalised. [25539/09]
The application for a one-parent family payment from the person concerned is being processed as speedily as possible. When a decision is made she will be informed of the outcome. She is currently in receipt of a supplementary welfare allowance payment pending a decision on her claim.
Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
162 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a refund of contributions made by their partner will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if they qualify for a State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25551/09]
My Department has not received a request for a refund of PRSI contributions that have been overpaid by the client's recently deceased partner. With regard to PRSI refunds generally, it should be noted that refunds in respect of a deceased client are made, through the legal representative dealing with the estate, to the estate of the deceased and not to the spouse/partner of the client.
In terms of eligibility for a State Pension, the social welfare system provides for a number of benefits and assistance payments payable to widows and widowers on the death of a spouse. These include Widow's and Widower's Pensions (contributory and non-contributory), Widowed Parent Grants and some payments under occupational injuries provisions. Currently, two Widows Pensions can be payable based on one person's PRSI contributions i.e. where a person married, divorced and subsequently re-married. On death, both the surviving spouse and the surviving former spouse can claim a Widow's/Widower's pension. In order to qualify for these payments, the survivor must have been married.
163 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is a system of paying an eligible person’s rent supplement directly to the provider of private rented property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25566/09]
Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The tenant makes the application for rent supplement and the Department's relationship is with the tenant. Payment is made to the tenant and is specifically for his/her benefit, to assist them with accommodation needs. Payment of rent supplement can only be made direct to a landlord or landlord's agent at a tenant's request.
164 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the names of persons consulted and the consultation process which led to her decision to reduce rent supplement by up to 8%; her views on whether the decision was prudent bearing in mind the provisions of the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004; her further views on whether it is fair to control rents in this way without considering the provisions of the Act in relation to market rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25567/09]
There are currently almost 88,800 recipients of rent supplement, a 49% increase since the end of 2007. The recent Supplementary Budget provided that the weekly minimum contribution payable towards rent be increased from €18 to €24 a week, with effect from 1 June 2009. It also provided that payments currently being made to existing rent supplement tenants be reduced by 8% from the same date. New maximum rent limits have also been introduced from 1 June 2009 to reflect the general reductions in private sector rent levels.
The most recent data published by the CSO, shows that rents in the private sector have fallen by almost 11% since November 2008 and by almost 20% in the past year. A leading property website recently reported that rents have fallen by almost 16% in the twelve months to March 2009 with 5% of the fall occurring since the start of 2009. It is essential therefore that state support for tenants who form a substantial section of the rental market, does not give rise to inflated rental prices.
Existing recipients of rent supplement were notified in advance of the change being made to their rent payment from 1 June 2009. This communication can be shown to landlords as evidence of the revised rent supplement in payment in individual cases. Landlords have also been advised through advertising in the national and provincial newspapers of the general reduction in rent supplement payments and a number of organisations representing landlords and tenants were contacted and advised of the changes to the rent supplement scheme.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, once the tenancy is at least a year old and where the rent has not been reviewed in the previous twelve months, the tenant is entitled to ask a landlord to review the rent where the tenant feels that the rent exceeds the market rate for the property. While tenants may be contractually obliged to pay the rent agreed to in their lease, it is expected that landlords will decrease the rent in recognition of the fact that rents have fallen generally and that there are now a large number of vacant rental properties nationally. In this climate, it is expected that people will be able to get accommodation at the appropriate rental level if a landlord is unwilling to reduce the rent in any particular case.
The obligation of landlords and tenants in relation to tenancy terminations, including the refund of deposits, is also provided for in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. Under these provisions, tenants are entitled to a refund of a deposit paid at the commencement of the tenancy where there is no rent or utility bills owing, no damage to the dwelling beyond normal wear and tear and the proper notice prescribed in the Act is served. Disputes between landlords and tenants about any aspect of rent or the return of a deposit may be referred to the Private Residential Tenancies Board.
Community Welfare Officers have discretion to provide assistance where exceptional circumstances exist in any individual case. Officers have been advised that support, appropriate to the circumstances of the particular case, may be provided to rent supplement tenants for up to two months, while alternative accommodation is being sourced within the existing rent limits.
165 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the application for unemployment assistance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25570/09]
The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance from 29 May 2009. His claim was closed because he failed to provide documents requested to determine his means. His case will be reviewed if he supplies the requested documentation.
A previous application for jobseeker's allowance dated 26 January 2008 was disallowed on the grounds that he failed to disclose his means. He appealed this decision and an Appeals Officer upheld the Deciding Officer's decision in July 2008.
The person concerned re-applied for jobseeker's allowance on 23 October 2008 and again on 29 January 2009 and these claims were closed because he also failed to provide documentation requested.
166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for delays in processing applications for various social welfare payments at the present time; the action proposed or intended to address such delays with particular reference to the need to alleviate hardship on persons awaiting payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25596/09]
169 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she has taken to reduce the time taken to process applications for social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25599/09]
171 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she proposes to take to speed up the processing of applications for social welfare payments with particular reference to the alleviation of hardship in the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25601/09]
174 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which staffing levels have increased in respect of means testing in order to meet the requirements of higher numbers of applicants arising from the economic downturn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25604/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 169, 171 and 174 together.
The Live Register has increased to unprecedented levels as a result of the economic downturn that the country is currently experiencing. The Live Register now stands at 396,871 as opposed to 201,756 this time last year. The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as expeditiously as possible. The staff and other resources available to the Department are regularly reviewed having regard to the workload arising and other competing demands. The average processing time for claims processed in May was 3.68 weeks for jobseekers benefit and 6.35 weeks for jobseekers allowance. Processing times can vary from office to office for a number of reasons including the extent of the increased number of claims, the number of staff vacancies, the duration of such vacancies and the turnover of staff in the office which impacts on the overall level of experience in the office.
During 2008 the need for some 150 additional posts was identified in order to respond to the significant increase in the number of people applying for Jobseekers payments in particular. Staff were sourced during 2008 and the early part of 2009 to meet this requirement.
With the live register continuing to increase, the Department has requested more than 300 extra posts in 2009, in addition to those already mentioned.
Of these:
49 posts have being assigned to date for Local Office Central Support Units in 5 locations.
And some 90 temporary staff have been appointed to Local Offices around the country pending the assignment of permanent staff.
In addition to increased staffing for local offices, the number of Social Welfare Inspectors was increased by 16 earlier this year to undertake means testing of claims for social assistance payments including jobseekers allowance, farm assist and carers allowance. More recently it has been decided to assign a further 24 Inspectors and the necessary arrangements are in train to have these posts filled.
Since early 2008 we have been examining all aspects of the work associated with the processing of claims and streamlining them wherever possible without, of course, compromising our scheme controls. Examples of process improvement initiatives introduced recently include:
A streamlined process for people who had a claim in the previous 2 years
Application forms for the jobseeker schemes are now available on the Department's website. This means that anyone who wants to make a claim can print the form at home and bring it to the local office completed. This helps reduce queuing times.
More straight-forward procedures for providing evidence of identity and address have been introduced
A more streamlined procedure for claimants moving to jobseekers allowance when their jobseekers benefit expires.
We have introduced an appointment system for taking claims in 16 offices and plan to extend this to other offices over the coming months.
The Deputy will be aware that anyone suffering hardship can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). SWA provides a safety net against poverty in that it gives a statutory entitlement to a minimum weekly income, based on criteria set out in legislation. The majority of SWA claims are processed within a matter of days.
167 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which she has examined the annual cost of rent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25597/09]
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible persons living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.
There are currently almost 88,800 recipients of rent supplement, a 49% increase since the end of 2007. The published estimate of expenditure for 2009 for rent supplement is €490.4 million, an increase of €50.7 million on the outturn of expenditure in 2008. Expenditure on rent supplement is closely monitored on a monthly basis taking into account trends in recipient numbers, average monthly payments and savings arising from the supplementary budget measures.
The recent Supplementary Budget provided that the weekly minimum contribution payable towards rent be increased from €18 to €24 a week, with effect from 1 June 2009. It also provided that payments currently being mad e to existing rent supplement tenants be reduced by 8% from the same date. Other changes in the Supplementary Budget provided that new maximum rent limits apply to all new claimants, from 1 June 2009, to reflect the general reductions in private sector rent levels.
The most recent data published by the CSO, shows that rents in the private sector have fallen by almost 11% since November 2008 and by almost 20% in the past year. It is essential therefore that state support for tenants who form a substantial section of the rental market, does not give rise to inflated rental prices.
In the current economic climate it is difficult to examine estimated expenditure into the future. It is expected, based on current expenditure trends that the overall 2009 allocation for the Department will be adequate. Developments in relation to current year expenditure will continue to be closely monitored.
168 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which rent and mortgage support has been increased by her on a monthly basis over the past two years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25598/09]
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible persons living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.
Similarly, mortgage interest supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only.
The number of recipients and expenditure on rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement on a monthly basis for the past 2 years is shown in the attached tabular statement.
|
Rent Supplement |
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
|||
|
Month |
Recipients(1) |
Expenditure(2) |
Recipients(1) |
Expenditure(2) |
|
€000 |
€000 |
|||
|
June 2007 |
58,667 |
31,495 |
3,571 |
924 |
|
July 2007 |
58,643 |
32,892 |
3,672 |
1,029 |
|
August 2007 |
58,675 |
33,398 |
3,768 |
1,080 |
|
September 2007 |
58,650 |
31,218 |
3,812 |
1,080 |
|
October 2007 |
58,926 |
33,642 |
3,889 |
1,245 |
|
November 2007 |
59,053 |
33,746 |
3,999 |
1,238 |
|
December 2007 |
59,726 |
34,045 |
4,111 |
1,375 |
|
January 2008 |
59,804 |
33,621 |
4,204 |
1,380 |
|
February 2008 |
60,858 |
33,445 |
4,456 |
1,494 |
|
March 2008 |
61,297 |
33,308 |
4,623 |
1,606 |
|
April 2008 |
62,165 |
35,112 |
4,781 |
1,769 |
|
May 2008 |
62,859 |
36,436 |
4,624 |
1,885 |
|
June 2008 |
63,650 |
33,961 |
5,212 |
1,857 |
|
July 2008 |
64,820 |
37,952 |
5,526 |
2,341 |
|
August 2008 |
66,204 |
36,197 |
6,028 |
2,357 |
|
September 2008 |
67,519 |
38,381 |
6,400 |
2,738 |
|
October 2008 |
69,729 |
40,173 |
6,935 |
3,065 |
|
November 2008 |
71,766 |
38,429 |
7,516 |
3,201 |
|
December 2008 |
74,038 |
43,771 |
8,091 |
3,981 |
|
January 2009 |
76,079 |
39,705 |
8,828 |
3,950 |
|
February 2009 |
79,706 |
39,458 |
9,877 |
4,377 |
|
March 2009 |
82,986 |
45,194 |
10,872 |
5,020 |
|
April 2009 |
85,517 |
44,054 |
11,565 |
5,146 |
|
May 2009 |
88,268 |
43,622 |
12,529 |
5,226 |
|
June 2009(3) |
89,243 |
12,887 |
(1) Recipients at last Friday in Month.
(2) Total Expenditure in Month.
(3) Recipients at 19/6/09 / Expenditure is not yet available for June 2009.
170 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she is satisfied that the budgetary calculations in respect of expenditure by her Department for 2009 are accurate under each heading; the areas currently showing a requirement greater than expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25600/09]
The Estimates for the Department of Social and Family Affairs which were published on 23 April last were based, in the main, on an analysis of trends as regards likely numbers of recipients and average value of payments in 2009. Final expenditure will depend on factors such as the actual recipient numbers in 2009 which can vary. It is too early in the year to draw conclusions on what the actual expenditure will be in each area. Expenditure is being monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department.
172 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which she proposes to improve or increase back to work incentives to take account of the current or expected economic situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25602/09]
173 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of back to work incentives currently operated by her Department; the extent to which it is expected or intended to expand or improve on such schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25603/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
The National Employment Action Plan (NEAP), operated jointly by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and FÁS, is the main welfare to work measure for jobseekers. Under the plan, all persons between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are approaching 3 months on the Live Register are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS for interview with a view to assisting them to enter or re-enter the labour market. The referral capacity under the plan has nearly doubled for 2009 from 6,500 cases per month to 12,250.
The NEAP process is fundamental in addressing the progression needs of those on the Live Register. It provides a stimulus to job search and affords an opportunity to explore, under professional guidance, the full range of employment and training services offered by FÁS. In addition, the Government is now providing, through FÁS, a total of 128,000 training and activation places for unemployed people this year. There are also some 147,000 places available in further education programmes in 2009. This is a substantial increase on the number of places available previously.
The recent supplementary budget outlined a joint approach to activation by the Departments of Social and Family Affairs, Enterprise Trade and Employment and Education and Science. I introduced a package of measures relating to the Department's two main employment support schemes, the back to work enterprise allowance and back to education allowance, in order to facilitate better access to these supports. The changes provided for a reduction in the qualifying period required for access to the back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) from 2 years to 12 months provided a person has an underlying entitlement to jobseeker's allowance. The qualifying period for the back to education scheme was also reduced.
I also introduced a new short term enterprise allowance scheme. Under this scheme someone who qualifies for jobseeker's benefit is being afforded the opportunity to commence self-employment immediately. I also introduced a new short term enterprise allowance scheme. Under this scheme someone who qualifies for jobseeker's benefit is being afforded the opportunity to commence self-employment immediately provided they have 104 contributions paid or have established entitlement to statutory redundancy. It is payable at the same rate and for the same duration as jobseeker's benefit.
In addition, the Department's locally based facilitators provide information on progression options available to people on social welfare. They work closely with FÁS and other agencies at national and local level to identify appropriate training and developmental programmes for social welfare recipients of working age to enhance the skills those individuals have and ultimately improve their employment chances as well as helping them to develop personally. This service was enhanced under the National Development Plan (NDP) Social and Economic Participation Programme. There are currently 60 facilitators in place, with a further 10 due for appointment, bringing the total to 70.
Apart from specific employment support and welfare to work initiatives, the social welfare system is highly responsive to the needs of employees in low-paid, casual or vulnerable employment. For example, people who are employed for up to three days in a week may claim a jobseeker's payment in respect of the remainder of the week, subject to being available for full-time work.
In addition, the Department's family income supplement scheme (FIS) provides cash support for employees on low earnings with families or those seeking to make the transition from welfare to work. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were unemployed and claiming other social welfare payments. Take-up of the scheme has increased significantly in recent years with almost 43,000 new and renewal FIS claims in 2008, compared to almost 37,900 in 2007.
With the increasing numbers of people who are unemployed, the Government is continuing to develop and put in place new programmes to enhance the work experience and training opportunities for these individuals. Two such initiatives, the work placement programme and a pilot short time working training programme were announced recently . Under both initiatives, participants will continue to receive their existing social welfare entitlements from the Department of Social and Family Affairs while they are taking part in these innovative programmes.
The range and conditions for the Department's welfare to work initiatives will continue to be monitored in the light of changing economic circumstances.
175 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide an assurance that no further cuts in social welfare payments or schemes are expected to take place having particular regard to increased requirements arising from the economic downturn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25605/09]
There are no plans to introduce any further changes to social welfare entitlements in 2009. Social welfare changes for 2010 will be considered later this year in a Budgetary context and having regard to available resources.
176 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when jobseeker’s allowance is expected to be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25606/09]
The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 16 December 2008. Her file was referred to an Inspector for a means assessment. She was interviewed by the Inspector on 04 February 2009 and subsequent to this interview a number of checks were required regarding her identity, residency and employment record. The Inspector will be finalizing a report in the next week or so and a decision will be made on her application as soon as possible thereafter.
177 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent support will be offered to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25608/09]
Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
The Executive has advised that rent supplement was refused on the basis that the person concerned was not in a position to afford the rent at the time she took on the tenancy in question. She was in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance at that time. Article 9(2) (a)(1) of SI 412/07 provides that a Rent Supplement should only be paid where the claimant "could reasonably have afforded the rent at the commencement of the tenancy". She appealed against this decision to an Appeals Officer of the Executive and that appeal was successful. The person concerned was advised of the Appeals Officer's decision on 16 June 2009.
178 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence, further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 18 June 2009, the former Reserve Defence Force facilities which have been identified as surplus to military requirements and which will be disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25463/09]
As indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 18 June 2009 a number of former RDF premises have been identified as surplus to Military requirements. These are Shanbally, Macroom, Kilcrohane, Midleton, and Greenane which are all located in Co. Cork, Killarney and Dingle in Co. Kerry together with Lahinch and Ennis in Co. Clare. Accommodation requirements are kept under continuing review in conjunction with the Military authorities.
179 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 18 June 2009, the amount it costs to provide members of the Defence Forces for ceremonial support to the Office of the President; the cost of such support in each of the years, 2004 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25464/09]
180 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces that are required for ceremonial duties each time the President leaves the country on a State visit to another country and the duties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25465/09]
181 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces required for ceremonial duties each time the President returns to the country from a State visit to another country and the duties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25466/09]
182 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces required for ceremonial duties involving the Office of the President each time an ambassador accredited to Ireland presents their credentials and the duties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25467/09]
183 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces are required for ceremonial duties involving the Office of the President on the arrival and departure of Heads of State on state visits to Ireland and the duties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25468/09]
184 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces required for ceremonial duties involving the Office of the President on the arrival and departure of Heads of Government on visits to Ireland and the duties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25469/09]
185 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces required for ceremonial duties involving the Office of the President for guards of honour, escorts of honour and marshals; the required protocol on each of these ceremonial occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 185, inclusive, together.
The support given to the President in relation to the programme of State Travel (both visits abroad and incoming) and with the acceptance of the credentials of Ambassadors to Ireland is a matter for the Government. The President acts in these matters on the advice of the Government and the arrangements are made by Government. The arrangements are in accordance with the generally accepted practice internationally.
Part of the role of the Defence Forces is the provision of ceremonial support generally. As the personnel are drawn from the cadre of the Defence Forces, no additional costs arise which would not otherwise be incurred in the normal course with the exception of the transportation of troops to the ceremonial location. The costs of such transportation are not compiled separately by my Department.
I am satisfied that the appearance of Defence Forces personnel in these roles, in support of the President and at the annual commemorative and parade events, is a small but very important part of their duties.
The main Ceremonial support provided includes a Guard of Honour, a Band, an Escort and Marshals for events such as:
Presentation of Credentials;
State Visits by Prime Ministers
State Visits by foreign Heads of State;
State Visits by President (inward/outward);
The following table sets out the number of personnel involved in each such event.
|
Event |
Guard of Honour (No. of personnel) |
Band (No. of personnel) |
Escort (No. of personnel) |
|
Presentation of Credentials and Prime Ministerial State Visits |
56 |
40 |
19 |
|
State Visits by Heads of State (in/out) |
107 |
40 |
27 |
|
State Visit of President (in/out) (Honour Guard) |
64 |
27 |
|
|
State Visit of President (out) (Full Ceremonial) |
107 |
40 |
27 |
186 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the plan to erect an electromagnetic mast in the vicinity of a house (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; his views on whether the erection of a mast at this location will contravene a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that electromagnetic masts should not be located near health centres, schools or other sensitive sites such as playgrounds, pitches and so on; his plans to bring forward measures, such as those provided for in the Fingal County Development Plan, to give legislative effect to this recommendation by the Joint Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25525/09]
Following the report in June 2005 of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts, the Government, approved the establishment of an inter-departmental advisory committee and an expert group, working to the committee, on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The committee reported to the Government in March 2007 and the Government published the report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on 22 March 2007 (available on my Department's website www.environ.ie/en/publications).
The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to potential health effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), including those produced by mobile telecommunications, and answers many questions commonly raised in relation to the health effects of electromagnetic fields. It concluded that, so far, no adverse short or long-term health effects have been found from exposure to the radio frequency signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters. My Department's advice to those living in close proximity to mobile phone base stations, based on the conclusions of the Expert Group Report, is that there is no scientific basis for, or evidence of, adverse health effects in children or adults as a result of exposure to electromagnetic fields. This applies irrespective of the location of the phone mast.
In general, planning permission must be obtained for the erection of an antenna support structure or mast. Under Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, certain classes of development carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service are, subject to specified conditions, exempted development for the purposes of the Planning Acts. These include:
the attachment of additional antennae to an existing antenna support structure;
the erection of an antenna support structure in place of an existing antenna support structure, and
the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, such as lamp posts, flag poles, CCTV poles, electricity pylons and certain public or commercial buildings (other than educational facilities, childcare facilities or hospitals).
The above exemptions are conditional on, among other things, the field strength of the non-ionising radiation emissions from the site not exceeding the limits specified by the Commission for Communications Regulation.
A decision on a planning application is, of course, a matter for the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála on appeal.
My Department published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications and Support Structures in 1996. The guidelines are intended to facilitate planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, the licensed providers of mobile telecommunications services and the public by providing guidance on dealing with these developments within the planning system.
The guidelines set out a locational hierarchy in relation to the siting of radio masts and advise that free-standing masts should only be located within or in the immediate surrounds of smaller towns or villages as a last resort. If such a location should become necessary, the masts and antennae should be designed and adapted for the specific location. In the vicinity of larger towns and in city suburbs, operators should endeavour to locate in industrial estates or in industrially zoned land. The guidelines further advise that, only as a last resort, and if all the alternatives are unavailable or unsuitable, should free-standing masts be located in a residential area or beside schools. Under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities are required to have regard to any Ministerial guidelines, in the performance of their functions.
187 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will lift the embargo on the appointment of a sports partnership co-ordinator for County Leitrim; and the position in relation to the matter. [25543/09]
Under the terms of the Government's decision on implementation of savings in public service, no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. This decision is effective from 31 March 2009 and stands until the end of 2010. My Department has, accordingly, written to all local authorities requesting their compliance.
However, in recognition of the priority attaching to the maintenance of key frontline services, my Department is consulting with the Department of Finance in regard to the management of relevant staffing needs.
In relation to the staffing requirements in each local authority, it is the responsibility of each county and city manager, under the Local Government Act 2001, to employ such staff and to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is the manager. The matters raised in the question are, accordingly, appropriately determined at local level.
188 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on offering currently vacant houses to such applicants with a view to meeting their housing requirements and reducing expenditure at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25597/09]
My Department has a number of initiatives in place which will facilitate the use of currently vacant houses to meet the accommodation needs of both households on local authority housing waiting lists and rent supplement recipients with a long term housing need.
In the first instance, the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), which was introduced in 2004, is designed to cater for the long term housing needs of rent supplement households. The core objectives of the RAS are to reform the approach towards providing accommodation within the private rented sector for long-term dependents on rent supplement and to enhance the response of housing authorities to meeting long-term housing need. One of the main features of the scheme is that housing authorities, in sourcing accommodation for these households, make use of the private and voluntary sector and enter into contractual arrangements to secure medium to long-term availability of rented accommodation.
To supplement this scheme, I have introduced two additional initiatives in recent months, which will make further use of vacant stock and assist authorities in meeting housing needs. Firstly, in February 2009, I introduced new arrangements for the delivery of social housing whereby housing authorities may enter into long term leases of private dwellings for periods of between 10 and 20 years, taking advantage of the extent of available property in the market and at the same time providing a more efficient and effective use of public resources in meeting housing needs. Secondly, my Department has advised housing authorities that they can consider transferring unsold affordable housing stock to both the leasing scheme and the RAS, where appropriate.
189 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 27 February 2008, the progress made on implementing the project of the Courtmacsherry and Timoleague sewage scheme; the communications between his Department and Cork County Council; if there are further requirements and conditions which need to be met for him to provide funding for this project; the expected starting date for the construction; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25430/09]
My Department is currently assessing Cork County Council's latest design proposals for this scheme, which were submitted in May 2009, and expects to be in a position to notify the Council of the outcome of this process in the near future.
On the question of funding, I expect that the €500 million available for the Water Services Investment Programme for 2009 will allow up to 50 major new schemes to commence this year, some of which have already started. My Department will prioritise the remaining schemes yet to start, including the Courtmacsherry and Timoleague Sewerage Scheme, having regard to both environmental and economic objectives including schemes required to meet National and EU environmental standards in relation to drinking water and waste water disposal, European Court of Justice cases and works that will support economic development. The Department will be working with local authorities, including Cork County Council, over the coming months to identify the priority projects to form the basis of the next phase of the Water Services Investment Programme.
190 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress of a scheme (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25474/09]
The Cork Lower Harbour Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €73.5 million. My Department will complete its assessment of Cork County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme on receipt of confirmation from the Council of the approval by An Bord Pleanála of the Environmental Impact Statement for the scheme, and additional information requested from the Council in May 2009 in relation to the scale, scope and costs of the scheme.
191 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of building energy ratings for all properties offered for sale or rent which have been completed since the obligation was introduced in January 2009; the compliance rate; the statistics on enforcement action for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25485/09]
Some 50,000 BER certificates for dwellings have been issued to date since the BER system first became operational on 1 January 2007, for new dwellings, in the first instance, subject to certain planning related transitional exemptions. Some 46,000 of these BER certificates were issued since 1 January, 2009 indicating a substantial increase in BER related activity since the scheme was extended to the sale and letting of existing dwellings from 1 January 2009. A further 1,000 BER certificates have been issued to date this year in respect of buildings other than dwellings. Responsibility for the enforcement of BER requirements rests with the 37 Building Control Authorities.
192 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1013 of 2 April 2008, if he will report on the status of a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25505/09]
The Carrigaholt/Labasheeda Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. I approved grant assistance of €1.547m for the scheme in June 2008 following examination of Clare County Council's Preliminary Report Review for the Carrigaholt element of the scheme and its Design Review Report for Labasheeda. Further information in relation to progress on the scheme may be obtained from the Council.
193 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an application for funding for Killeagh water supply, County Cork, under the serviced land initiative scheme of the water services scheme; the action he proposes to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25552/09]
The Killeagh Water Supply Scheme is included for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative measure of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department approved Cork County Council's design proposals for the scheme in 2006.
In April 2009, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply of housing in some areas, informed all local authorities that all existing approvals under the Initiative, for which contracts had not been signed or letters of intent had issued, were being withdrawn. However, authorities were also informed that where a water services authority was of the opinion that the continuation of an approved scheme for which contracts had not been signed was necessary for the proper development of the area, it was open to the authority to make a case to the Department by 29 May 2009 for the scheme to progress. Cork County Council has not made a case to advance the Killeagh Water Supply Scheme under the Serviced Land Initiative. However, I understand that the Council is considering other options for the advancement of this scheme at a future date.
194 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the fee for the registration of tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board has been changed from €70 for individual tenancies and €300 for composite tenancies at the same address; if he will clarify the traditional practise whereby €50 of the fee was considered to be earmarked for inspections and €20 towards the costs of the PRTB; the breakdown which applies in the case of the composite fee; if he has had consultation or discussions with organisations or individuals on the fee and the use to which the fee is put; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25556/09]
195 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of the costs to the nearest available date for the setting up and ongoing operations of the Private Residential Tenancies Board; if the PRTB is self-financing; if it has been in receipt of Exchequer funding at any stage; his views on whether it is in a suitable financial position to carry out its function over the next five years; if he envisages a situation whereby the PRTB will require Exchequer funding in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25557/09]
I propose to take Question Nos. 194 and 195 together.
Section 137 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 specifies the fee for the registration of a single tenancy with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) within one month of the commencement of the tenancy as €70 and a fee of €140 applies where the tenancy is registered after this period. The Act also provides for a composite fee of €300 for multiple tenancies in one building, where the tenancies are registered within one month of the commencement of each individual tenancy. Section 138 of the Act specifies that the Board may vary these fees in line with changes in the value of money. No such variation has been made to either fee and I have not had specific discussions with third parties in relation to the above fees.
In terms of the financing of the PRTB, its operations are funded from a combination of annual Exchequer grant, a proportion of the fee income accruing from tenancy registrations and fees it charges for its dispute resolution services. In addition, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has in the past made payments for the benefit of the PRTB, primarily for accommodation overheads, and some fixed assets have also been transferred to the PRTB by my Department.
The annual amounts provided by way of Exchequer grant, OPW payments and asset transfers for the period from the establishment of the Board in September 2004 to the end of 2008 are set out hereunder in tabular form.
|
Year |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Exchequer Grant |
154,266 |
1,703,279 |
2,973,787 |
5,739,940 |
3,812,417 |
|
OPW payments |
98,406 |
286,709 |
280,854 |
279,461 |
Nil |
|
Assets Transferred |
58,294 |
||||
|
Total Cost |
252,672 |
2,148,282 |
3,254,641 |
6,019,401 |
3,812,417 |
The PRTB is also part-funded from the fees which it collects from the registration of tenancies. Up to 1 April 2009, two sevenths of each fee, including composite fees, was earmarked to support the PRTB's running costs, with the balance being used to support local authorities in the discharge of their functions in relation to the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, the Housing (Rent Book) Regulations 1993 and 2004 and other provisions of the Housing Acts related to private rented accommodation. The tenancy registration fees collected by the PRTB for each year up to 2008, two sevenths of which would have been assigned to PRTB running costs, are set out below in tabular form.
|
Year |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Total Registration Fees |
€152,730 |
€4,911,122 |
€5,995,772 |
€6,156,749 |
€7,897,364 |
Taking account of the level of accumulated funds available for distribution to local authorities to support their enforcement activities, the basis for apportionment of tenancy registration fee proceeds was amended with effect from 1 April 2009 — four sevenths is now assigned towards meeting the PRTB's running costs, with the remaining three sevenths being devoted to local authority enforcement activities.
The PRTB also derives limited income from fees charged for its dispute resolution services. The income derived from this source in each of the years up to 31 December 2008 is set out below in tabular form.
|
Year |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Dispute fees |
Nil |
€18,035 |
€38,340 |
€36,181 |
€44,844 |
I am satisfied that adequate funding arrangements are in place to allow the PRTB to deliver on its functions in the years ahead. Nevertheless, my Department will continue to keep the Board's income sources, including the manner in which registration fee income is divided between local authority inspection functions and PRTB running costs, under review.
196 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to announce proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004; when his recently announced review of that Act will commence and be completed; the terms of reference of the review and the name or names of those carrying out the review; the cost, if the review is carried out externally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25558/09]
197 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if amendments have been made to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to date; his plans to amend or otherwise address the situation by which tenants can remain in residence and not pay rent while a dispute is being processed with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; the average time taken to fully process cases when rent is not being paid; his plans to create an independent holding system for rents payable by tenants in dispute with the property owner; his further plans for a similar holding system for deposits paid by tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25559/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 was amended by the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2009, which was a technical piece of legislation introduced to regularise a number of appointments to the Dispute Resolution Committee of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) about which concerns had been raised in terms of procedural and technical correctness. Earlier this year, I announced my intention to review the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 under which the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) operates. The purpose of this review is to consider whether the Act best supports the PRTB's key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector.
Full details in relation to the background to the review and the associated terms of reference are available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. In summary, the specific issues to be considered in the course of the review are:
The scope for enhancing procedural simplicity and efficiency.
The existing Board and Committee structure and the functional relationship between the Board and Executive.
The relationship between the Minister/Department and the PRTB.
Legislative issues, including proposals already made by the Board, and the need for additional legislative provisions arising from the review.
The review, which I hope will yield preliminary outcomes by Autumn 2009, has now commenced and is being carried out by my Department itself. As part of the review, my Department is consulting with relevant stakeholders, including the PRTB and landlord and tenant representative organisations. Advertisements were also placed in the print media at the end of May 2009 seeking the views of the public. The Board, in fulfilment of its remit to advise on policy aspects and the general operation of the Residential Tenancies Act, has already submitted to my Department a number of suggestions for legislative improvements and it is hoped to address the most critical of these in the context of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008, currently before the Oireachtas, with the remaining proposals being considered further in the context of the review.
As my Department has no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), which is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific cases or classes of cases. However, I understand that the PRTB is examining the various issues around the retention of deposits, including an assessment of deposit models, and that the Board hopes to conclude its research in this regard in the next few months. I expect the outcome of this research to feed into the Residential Tenancies Acts review outlined above.
198 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for lengthy delays in completing the registration of tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board and what happens to the registration fees when the process is so lengthy; the number of applications awaiting completion; the average number of applications completed each week; the effect the embargo on public sector recruitment will have on the PRTB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25560/09]
My Department has no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), which is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The PRTB may be contacted at their offices at O'Connell Bridge House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 or by telephone or email. Contact details are available on the Board's website at www.prtb.ie. As a State Agency, the PRTB is subject to Government policy in relation to public sector numbers. While the impact of such policies on the PRTB will be kept under review, it should be noted that a request from the Board of the PRTB for the recruitment of an additional 14 permanent staff, to bring the permanent staffing complement from 26 to 40, was approved last year. This has been of significant benefit to the Board in dealing with the administrative work associated with the processing of registrations and dispute cases. The purposes for which tenancy registration fees are utilised are set out in the reply to a question on today's Order Paper.
199 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to provide a system allowing partial or full electronic registration of complaints to the Private Residential Tenancies Board; his views on whether this would help to speed up and deal more efficiently with the decision and determination process for the PRTB saving time and expense for the board, the tenant and the property owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/09]
The PRTB, an independent statutory body, is committed to delivering its services in as timely a manner as possible and it has set out a clear strategic approach in this regard. My Department supports the PRTB in this approach and, last year, in response to the large and ongoing volume of work involved, a request from the Board of the PRTB for the recruitment of an additional 14 permanent staff, to bring the permanent staffing complement from 26 to 40, was approved. This has been of significant benefit to the Board in dealing with the administrative work associated with the processing of registrations and dispute cases.
In December last year I launched the PRTB's 2009-2011 Corporate Plan which set's out the organisation's priorities in the adjudication and administration of landlord/tenant disputes. The Plan commits the PRTB to the development of an on-line tenancy registration system and to the implementation of a system of on-line registration of disputes. I share the Board's considered view that online registration will yield significant operational and other efficiencies and will benefit all stakeholders. To facilitate this I have introduced an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 via the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008, currently before the Oireachtas, to allow for online electronic registration of tenancies.
200 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a broadband connection to the home of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the fact that the homes on each side of that home have broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25477/09]
Broadband services can be provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre by private sector service providers. I understand that broadband is available in Rathmullen, County Donegal, from DSL, wireless, mobile and satellite service providers as detailed in the following table. My Department operates a dedicated website www.broadband.gov.ie where potential broadband customers can ascertain the availability of services in their area.
|
Platform |
Service Provider |
Website |
Phone |
|
Mobile |
3 Ireland |
http://www.three.ie/broadband/index.htm |
1800 330 333 |
|
Satellite |
Applied Solutions |
http://www.ADSLnow.ie |
1890 924 854 |
|
Avonline |
http://www.avonlinebroadband.co.uk |
0044 800 073 1102 |
|
|
Broadband Wherever |
http://www.broadbandwherever.net |
0044 800 068 3358 |
|
|
Cross Country Broadband Limited |
http://www.crosscountrybroadband.com |
053 92 55428 |
|
|
Digiweb Satellite |
http://www.broadband.digiweb.ie |
042 939 3300 |
|
|
e3 Broadband |
http://www.e3broadband.ie |
1850 303333 |
|
|
Ehotspot |
http://www.ehotspot.ie |
0044 1262 409109 |
|
|
Eircom Satellite |
http://www.eircom.ie |
1901 |
|
|
Fastnet Broadband Satellite |
http://www.fastnetbroadband.com |
01 2303746 |
|
|
Media Satellite Ireland Limited |
http://www.mediasat.ie |
1850 202 144 |
|
|
National Broadband Limited |
http://www.nbb.ie |
045 982130 |
|
|
Orbitlink |
http://www.orbitlink.ie |
01 8601995 |
|
|
Pure Telecom Satellite |
http://www.puretelecom.ie |
01 2895555 |
|
|
Satellite Broadband Ireland |
http://www.satellitebroadbandireland.ie |
044 9372514 |
|
Platform |
Service Provider |
Website |
Phone |
|
Mobile |
3Ireland |
http://www.three.ie/broadband/index.htm |
1800 330 333 |
|
Satellite |
Applied Solutions |
http://www.ADSLnow.ie |
1890 924 854 |
|
Avonline |
http://www.avonlinebroadband.co.uk |
0044 800 073 1102 |
|
|
Broadband Wherever |
http://www.broadbandwherever.net |
0044 800 068 3358 |
|
|
Cross Country Broadband Limited |
http://www.crosscountrybroadband.com |
053 92 55428 |
|
|
Digiweb Satellite |
http://www.broadband.digiweb.ie |
042 939 3300 |
|
|
e3 Broadband |
http://www.e3broadband.ie |
1850 303333 |
|
|
Ehotspot |
http://www.ehotspot.ie |
0044 1262 409109 |
|
|
Eircom Satellite |
http://www.eircom.ie |
1901 |
|
|
Fastnet Broadband Satellite |
http://www.fastnetbroadband.com |
01 2303746 |
|
|
Media Satellite Ireland Limited |
http://www.mediasat.ie |
1850 202 144 |
|
|
National Broadband Limited |
http://www.nbb.ie |
045 982130 |
|
|
Orbitlink |
http://www.orbitlink.ie |
01 8601995 |
|
|
Pure Telecom Satellite |
http://www.puretelecom.ie |
01 2895555 |
|
|
Satellite Broadband Ireland |
http://www.satellitebroadbandireland.ie |
044 9372514 |
201 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a salmon counter has been purchased for the River Boyne; if so, the cost of same; the location on the River Boyne at which it will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/09]
I am advised that the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board is to undertake a feasibility study over the summer months to establish the best location on the Boyne for another fish counter. It is not possible until the feasibility study report is complete to estimate when a counter will be installed. Details of the cost of the counter already purchased by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board have not changed since provided to the Deputy in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 396 of 31 March 2009.
202 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views regarding complications of management procedures and the validity of existing licences for aquaculture projects in Lough Foyle due to the poorly defined nature of jurisdiction and competency of his Department, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and the Crown Estate which lays claim to Lough Foyle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25511/09]
As there has been no formal agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom on the delimitation of a territorial waters boundary between the two States, the policy of the two Governments has been to co-operate in a pragmatic fashion. There is no licensing regime for aquaculture currently in operation in Lough Foyle. The Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries Act, 2007 empowered the Loughs Agency to conserve, protect, develop and manage shell fisheries and aquaculture in the Loughs areas, enabling for the first time the introduction of an agreed regulatory aquaculture and shell fisheries regime in Lough Foyle.
The relevant secondary legislation in relation to aquaculture, when introduced, will enable the Agency to manage the sector. It will be necessary, however, for the Loughs Agency to secure foreshore licences for the cross-border foreshore areas in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Food and the Crown Estates Commission, which are the bodies responsible for the management of foreshore in both jurisdictions. This will facilitate the introduction of a structured management system for aquaculture in the Loughs areas with the objective of achieving sustainable development for the social, economic and environmental benefit of the communities that influence, enjoy and depend on its resource.
203 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide exemptions to gillnet fishermen with boats of less than 15 meters in length similar to the exemptions that he has provided to trawling fishermen with boats of less than 15 meters in length (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these gillnet fishermen are anxious to come to an accommodation with the Department of Transport; if he will meet with a delegation of these gillnet fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25425/09]
Council Regulation (EC) No 43/2009 introduced restrictions on fishing for cod, haddock and whiting in ICES zones VIa (off the north west coast) from the 1 February 2009 for vessels over 15 metres and for all other vessels from 1 April 2009. By way of derogation, certain cod avoidance fishing gears are permitted under the EU regulation subject to strict conditions. No such derogation exists in respect of the use of gillnets as the Commission argued that gill nets have the potential to specifically target cod and generate high mortality rates in an area where scientific advice has been received to indicate cod stocks are under severe threat.
My colleague, Minister of State Tony Killeen, who has particular responsibility for Fisheries, has met with Fisheries Commissioner Borg this week and raised issues in relation to the Cod Recovery Plan in the Irish Sea & in the North West. In particular, Minister of State Killeen asked for a number of practical changes to the rules that would help alleviate the impacts on the fleet particularly in the North West & in the Irish Sea. These changes included a request that gill net fishing that does not target cod, haddock or whiting in Area VIa should be permitted. Minister Killeen regularly meets fishing industry representatives and fishermen and will continue to do so in the future.
Any issues relating to the Department of Transport responsibilities should be addressed to my colleague Minister Noel Dempsey.
204 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the plans in place to ensure that farmers here pay an equitable rate for collection and disposal as per their counterparts in Northern Ireland following the suspension of the fallen animals scheme. [25429/09]
My Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme ceased with effect from Tuesday 14th April 2009. This was as a result of budgetary constraints and also reflects the greatly reduced incidence of BSE in this country. However I have provided continued financial support for the collection of certain dead animals, in particular bovines over 48 months of age, for sampling, as required under the ongoing national BSE surveillance programme.
The disposal of dead farm animals is subject to EU Regulations, notably Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. These regulations require that animals, which die on-farm, must generally be disposed of through approved knackeries and rendering plants. Burial of fallen animals is only permissible under licence in remote areas i.e. islands and listed mountain/bogland areas. Farmers who wish to bury animals on-farm should apply to their local District Veterinary Office for a burial licence. Farmers may continue to use the existing collection network or, in the alternative, may transport dead animals by prior arrangement to approved knackeries, provided they transport the carcasses in leak-proof, covered containers or vehicles. It is also a legal requirement on all keepers of bovine animals to notify movements of all bovines (live or dead) off their holdings to my Department.
With the ending of the Fallen Animals Scheme the cost of collection and rendering for animals not covered by the new scheme is now a matter for negotiation between the individual collectors/rendering plants and their customers. Within the boundaries of legal requirements my Department is making every effort to facilitate measures to maximise flexibility and enable reduction of costs in the rendering/collection system. This includes allowing cross border trade, permitting direct delivery by farmers to authorised plants, considering removal of some costs currently built into the rendering process and encouraging indigenous use of meat and bone meal (MBM) for energy purposes.
205 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 18 June 2009, the date he received the application from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the date of completion of administrative and area checks of this application; if this is not completed, the date he expects it to be completed; the amount that will be 75% of their payment; the date he expects this payment will be issued; the date he expects all on-farm inspections in this administrative area to be completed; the number of applications received for the REP scheme four programme by 15 May 2009; the percentage of applications for REP scheme four programme that have been sent their initial payment of 75% as of 19 June 2009; the number of applications received for the 2008 scheme; the percentage of applicants who have not a received payment yet; the percentage of applicants who have not been paid in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25443/09]
My officials have examined the applications for the 2009 REPS Scheme received in the Co Cork local offices and have found no record of an application from the person named.
The total number of applications received for 2009 was in the region of 17,000. The precise number will be available when the applications received in each of the local have been entered on the Department's computer system. REPS on-farm inspections are carried out throughout the year and are usually completed in early December.
Of the 12,145 REPS 4 applications lodged in 2007 and 2008, 90.8% have received their 75% payment. Arrangements are being made to ensure that outstanding payments of the first instalment and all payments of the second 25% instalment are made as soon as possible.
206 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will furnish a copy of all aquaculture sites (details supplied) and foreshore on Lough Swilly, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25476/09]
The information requested by the Deputy insofar as it relates to aquaculture licences is contained in the following table. All marine aquaculture licensees are also required to hold a corresponding foreshore licence issued under the Foreshore Act 1933 as amended. I understand that the Deputy is also requesting details of foreshore leases and licences granted and sought in respect of non-aquaculture activities. This information is not readily available but is currently being compiled by my Department. When this has been completed the information will be communicated to the Deputy without delay.
|
File Ref. |
Site Ref. |
Licence Holders |
Comment |
|
|
T12/85 |
T12/85/1 |
Marine Harvest Ltd |
Licence issued 03/05/01 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/251/1 |
T12/251A ,B |
Conor Blake |
Licence issued 03/11/1999 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/273 |
T12/273A |
John Mc Laughlin |
Lissue issued 25/11/1999 for 10 Yrs |
|
|
T 12/275 |
T12/275F |
Inishowen Mussels Ltd. |
licensed 26/1/07 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/288 |
T12/288 B&C |
Inishowen Mussels Lltd |
Licence issued 10/05/1999 for 10 yrs |
Licensee has sought assignment to third party |
|
T12/284 |
T12/284 |
Joseph Coll — Iasc Sliogach |
Licence issued 9/08/1999 for 10 yrs |
|
|
Uisce LeathanTeo. |
||||
|
T12/280/1 |
T12/280/1A |
Desmond Mc Elroy |
Licence issued 19/11/04 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/273 |
T12/273A |
John McLaughlin |
Licence issued 25/11/1999 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/293/1 |
T12/293 |
Ronan O’Doherty & A. Ward (ii) |
Licence issued 3/11/2000 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/297 |
T12/297 |
Patrick Shovelin |
Licence issued 21/02/2000 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/298 |
T12/298 |
Donegal Seafoods Ltd |
Licence issued 4/11/1999 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/308 |
T12/308 |
Eamonn Coll |
Licence issued 1/11/2000 for 10 yrs |
|
|
T12/311 |
T12/311A |
Hannigan Fish Trading Ltd |
Licence issued 10/5/02 for 10 yrs |
|
File Ref. |
Site Ref. |
Renewals |
Comment |
|
|
T12/37 |
T12/37A, B&C |
Lough Swilly Shellfish Growers Co-op |
Licence expired 19/10/2004 |
Renewal application under consideration |
|
T12/85/2 |
TT12/85 A&C |
Marine Harvest |
Licence expired 27/11/06 |
Renewal application under consideration |
|
T12/211/2 |
T12/211C |
Inishowen Mussels Ltd. |
Licence expired 3/4/2006 |
Renewal application under consideration |
|
File Ref. |
Site Ref. |
New applications |
Comment |
|
|
T12/325 |
T12/35& 325A |
Danny Bradley |
||
|
T12/328 |
T12/328 |
Steven Brown |
||
|
T12/330 |
T12/330A |
Fresco Seafoods |
||
|
T12/339 |
T12/339A & B |
Lough Swilly Wild Oyster Co-op |
||
|
T12/340 |
T12/340 A & B |
Martin Coll-Iasc Sliogach |
||
|
Uisce Leathan Teo |
||||
|
T12/341 |
T12/341A |
Belfast Lough Shellfish |
||
|
T12/342 |
Conor Blake |
|||
|
T12/343 |
T12/343A |
Alan O’Sullivan |
||
|
T12/344 |
T12/344/1A |
Aqua Shellfish Ltd |
||
|
T12/378 |
T12/378A |
Ronan O’Doherty/ Andrew Ward |
||
|
T12/379 |
T12/379A |
Donegal Seafoods Ltd |
207 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide assurances that the District Veterinary Offices at Kilkenny and Carlow will continue to provide the services at these locations into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25478/09]
My Department is currently reviewing its local office structure. No decisions have been taken regarding the future of any local office, other than the Dublin local office, already announced.
208 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the payment of REP scheme three to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25498/09]
Following a compliance inspection in 2008, the person named was asked to submit an adjusted REPS plan. My officials have not yet received such a plan, however, and payment cannot be released until they do.
209 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the national lobster V-notching programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25499/09]
The national lobster v-notching scheme has been operated every year by BIM since 1994 with great support from the indoor catching sector. The scheme is in included in the EU co-funded National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-13. I expect to be in a position to formally launch the 2009 scheme shortly. Taking into account that the traditional lobster season has already started, BIM intend that lobsters set aside for v-notching from the start of the season in May will be included under the new scheme.
210 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25501/09]
The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment. Payment of the first instalment of 40 per cent was made to the person concerned on 22 June 2009.
211 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount he has given to each of the patron bodies at primary level, for the purposes of running the organisation in question, in each of the past five years; if the bodies concerned provide him with audited accounts as to what the money in question was spent on; if all of the bodies have submitted such accounts; if he has satisfied himself that the funds in question have been used for the purposes as agreed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25422/09]
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to grants for patron bodies at primary level for the purpose of running their organisations in the past five years is set out in the following table.
Since 2007, my Department has required each of the patron bodies to provide audited accounts for the previous year as a pre-condition to payment of these grants. Audited accounts have been requested from the various patron bodies to allow my Department to pay the 2009 grants.
Funding to the Islamic Education Board has been withheld by my Department since 2007 because of concerns in relation to the operation and representation of that organisation as a primary management body. In respect of the other patron bodies, I am satisfied that the grants issued by my Department have been utilised for the purposes intended.
|
CPSMA |
Forás Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Gaeilge |
Educate Together |
National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education |
Church of Ireland Board of Education |
Islamic Education Board |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
2004 |
102,000 |
39,800 |
39,800 |
39,800 |
39,800 |
39,800 |
|
2005 |
105,000 |
41,133 |
81,133 |
41,133 |
41,133 |
41,133 |
|
2006 |
152,000 |
41,133 |
120,000 |
41,133 |
120,000 |
41,133 |
|
2007 |
152,000 |
41,133 |
120,000 |
89,583 |
120,000 |
Nil |
|
2008 |
200,000 |
140,000 |
140,000 |
140,000 |
140,000 |
Nil |
212 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if a meeting took place between officials from his Department and a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in the September/October 2006 period when questions were raised in relation to financial accountability for the school concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25423/09]
218 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if an examination of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin accounts were carried out since its establishment; if so, the person who carried out same; if the results of the examination were made available; the action that was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25488/09]
219 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if action was taken by his Department in 2004 and 2005 following correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) in relation to a school in County Dublin; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25489/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 218 and 219 together.
I can confirm that Department officials met with the management of the school concerned in September 2006. My Department had engaged frequently with the school in question from 2003 onwards arising from concerns identified by my Department's Inspectorate and from other concerns that were brought to my Department's attention, and those concerns informed the business of the meeting in September 2006. My Department requested copies of the audited accounts of the school in question in June 2005 for internal examination in the Department and I can also confirm that matters relating to the school accounts were discussed at that meeting.
213 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will make a decision regarding the application of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 10 to appoint one teacher to serve mild general learning disability classes at the schools; when the decision will be conveyed to the schools involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25436/09]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has permitted the retention of a mild general learning disability (MGLD) class in the schools in question for the 2009/2010 school year subject to the schools' acceptance of the administrative arrangements.
214 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to correspondence of 16 May 2009 from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; when he will reply to this person. [25440/09]
I am aware of the correspondence to which the Deputy refers and will respond to it as soon as I am in a position to do so.
215 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of appeals under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 made during each of the past three years in relation to admissions in a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the number that were successful for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25444/09]
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department. In the case of the latter, only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil. The procedures provide for three stages to processing appeals, local resolution, facilitation, and finally, if the matter has not been resolved, a hearing. In respect of the school concerned, six appeals against a refusal to enrol a child have been lodged to date in 2009, of which 4 went to full hearing. None of the appeals were upheld at hearing. In 2008, three appeals were lodged against refusal to enrol. Two were resolved without the need for a hearing. One appeal went to hearing, but was not upheld. In 2007, 7 appeals against refused enrolment were lodged, six were resolved prior to hearing. One appeal proceeded to hearing and was upheld.
216 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application made under the summer works scheme by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the outcome of the assessment; the works which will be carried out; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25471/09]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application from the school in question for funding under the Summer Works Scheme to replace doors and windows has been approved following reassessment. The school management has been informed of the decision. A key principle behind the devolution of this Scheme is that responsibility for the management of the project is devolved to the school authority. The school authority can then make use of its local knowledge and presence on the ground to manage the project more effectively and ensure better value for money for the taxpayer.
217 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the details on a yearly basis of all grants awarded to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin since its establishment in 2001; the persons to whom and when those grants were awarded; the purposes for which those grants were intended; if he is satisfied that they were expended for the purposes intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25487/09]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to grants awarded to the school since 2001 is not readily available. I have asked my officials to compile this information and to forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
220 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if a special needs assistant will be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Louth for September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25490/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to primary and post primary schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the information provided by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply.
221 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25502/09]
The school to which the Deputy refers received funding under the 2007 Small Schools Scheme. The school's original grant under the scheme was increased following an appeal for further funding to meet unavoidable extra costs.
This school made an application under the SWS 2009 for a number of projects. However, their original application was not successful. The school submitted an appeal of this decision, which is under consideration at present. The school has been contacted for additional information relating to their appeal and, when this is received, the appeal will be considered further and the school informed directly of the outcome.
222 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a replacement chief executive officer will be appointed in County Roscommon Vocational Education Committee. [25515/09]
The post referred to by the Deputy is subject to the moratorium on recruitment and promotion applicable to the civil and public service and my Department does not have any authority to approve the filling of the post. The Government did decide that in exceptional circumstances certain posts may be filled, subject to the prior sanction of the Minister for Finance.
In the case of the post referred to by the Deputy, my Department sought approval for the appointment of a CEO on an acting basis on the retirement of the current CEO. I am in discussions with the Minister for Finance in relation to this matter.
223 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if positions (details supplied) in County Mayo will be filled. [25517/09]
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has considered the correspondence submitted by the school in question appealing the decision to suppress a class for pupils with a Mild General Learning Disability. My Department recently advised the school that the decision to suppress the class remains.
I understand that the school has subsequently written to my Department regarding the special class. This correspondence will be considered and a reply will issue to the school as quickly as possible.
224 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that there are nine children with special needs in a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow, he will ensure that the school’s application for a special needs class is granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25521/09]
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has considered the correspondence submitted by the school in question appealing the decision to suppress a class for pupils with a Mild General Learning Disability. My Department recently advised the school that the decision to suppress the class remains.
I understand that the school has subsequently written to my Department regarding the special class. This correspondence will be considered and a reply will issue to the school as quickly as possible.
225 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the withdrawal of special needs assistants from a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; if he will review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25524/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to primary and post primary schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
Applications for SNAs may be considered by the NCSE where a pupil has a significant medical need for such assistance and where there are identified care needs arising from a diagnosed disability. A pupil's level of care may diminish over time as the child matures. Pupils may move to a different school or on to post-primary school. In such situations, the NCSE will review and adjust the SNA support required in the school. This may mean that some pupils who had previously been supported by a full time SNA may have their needs met through the shared support of an SNA or perhaps they may have no need for SNA support.
The NCSE will undertake to review a decision taken by a SENO on foot of a request from a school or parents/guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information, which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The NCSE has outlined this process in its Circular 01/05.
The Deputy will be aware that the NCSE has arranged for its SENOs to review SNA allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts are properly met.
In this context, my Department recently published circular letter SP ED 0037/2009 on the Department's website www.education.ie. Given the proximity of the end of this school year and, in the light of the fact that those schools yet to be reviewed will have prepared for the new school year in advance of being reviewed, my Department is allowing exceptional transitional arrangements for schools where the SNA allocation is being adjusted. With the exception of cases where a child with SNA support is leaving a school, schools may, if they so wish, retain the existing cohort of SNAs until 31 January 2010.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the information provided by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply.
226 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when full payment of higher education grant will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25568/09]
The candidate was awarded the full rate of maintenance grant in March 2009 when outstanding documentation required to process her grant application was received by the awarding authority. I can confirm that the candidate has been paid all arrears to date, and the final grant instalment due to her for the current academic year will be issued on the 26th June, 2009.
227 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school place will be offered at a school for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25575/09]
The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and the Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department. In the case of the latter, only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB advises parents to apply to more than one school in order to assist in securing a school placement. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
