Vol. 728 No. 7
30 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes she will make to the operation of the habitual residency rule which is acting as a barrier for many returning emigrants, and family carers in particular, from accessing social welfare and the reason there was no mention of this issue in the programme for Government. [6014/11]
The habitual residence condition applies to social assistance payments and to child benefit. The determination of a person's habitual residence is made in accordance with five factors which are set out in legislation, as follows:
(a) the length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country;
(b) the length and purpose of any absence from the State;
(c) the nature and pattern of the person's employment;
(d) the person's main centre of interest, and
(e) the future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances.
These five factors have been derived from European Court of Justice case law.
EU rules prevent discrimination on nationality grounds in relation to social security, so it is not possible to exempt a particular category of Irish citizens (such as returning emigrants) from the habitual residence condition (either in general or for carer's allowance) without extending the same treatment to all EU nationals. However, the guidelines regarding determination of habitual residence address the issue of returning emigrants very specifically. The guidelines state: "A person who had previously been habitually resident in the State and who moved to live and work in another country and then resumes his/her long-term residence in the State may be regarded as being habitually resident immediately on his/her return to the State."
In determining the main centre of interest in the case of returning emigrants, deciding officers take account of:
purpose of return e.g. expiry of foreign residence permit
the applicant's stated intentions
verified arrangements which have been made in regard to returning on a long-term basis e.g. transfer of financial accounts and any other assets, termination of residence based entitlements in the other country, or assistance from Safe Home or a similar programme to enable Irish emigrants to return permanently
length and continuity of the previous residence in the State
the record of employment or self employment in another State and
whether s/he has maintained links with the previous residence and can be regarded as resuming his/her previous residence rather than starting a new period of residence. This is generally sufficient to enable the deciding officer to determine whether their present circumstances in Ireland indicate a temporary visit or habitual residence.
31 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Irish nationals deemed not to satisfy the habitual residence condition and the number where this determination was successfully overturned by the social welfare appeals office in 2009 and 2010 respectively. [6017/11]
Relatively few returning Irish emigrants are refused social welfare payments on grounds of habitual residence. 738 Irish citizens were disallowed a social welfare payment because of the habitual residence rule in 2009. Records for 2010 are incomplete due to industrial action. Jobseeker's allowance accounted for over 70% of disallowances in 2009. In cases where returning Irish emigrants are refused social welfare payments on grounds of habitual residence, it is because the people in question do not have the required level of connection to Ireland under the relevant headings despite the fact that they are Irish citizens.
The determination of a person's habitual residence is made in accordance with Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. Subsection (4) specifically directs the deciding officer to "take into consideration all the circumstances of the case, including, in particular, the following:
(a) the length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country;
(b) the length and purpose of any absence from the State;
(c) the nature and pattern of the person's employment;
(d) the person's main centre of interest, and
(e) the future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances.
The Department's guidelines go on to point out that "No single factor is conclusive. The evidential weight to be attributed to each factor will depend on the circumstances of each case. It is necessary to weigh up all the information and balance the evidence for and against an applicant satisfying the habitual residence condition".
The current guidelines address the impact of the habitual residence condition on returning Irish emigrants in the following terms:
"A person who had previously been habitually resident in the State and who moved to live and work in another country and then resumes his/her permanent residence in the State may be regarded as being habitually resident immediately on his/her return to the State."
In determining habitual residence in such cases the deciding officer should take account of:
purpose of return e.g. expiry of foreign residence permit
the applicant's stated intentions
verified arrangements which have been made in regard to returning on a long-term basis e.g. transfer of financial accounts and any other assets, termination of residence based entitlements in the other country, or assistance from Safe Home or a similar programme to enable Irish emigrants to return permanently
length and continuity of the previous residence in the State
the record of employment or self employment in another State and
whether s/he has maintained links with the previous residence and can be regarded as resuming his/her previous residence rather than starting a new period of residence.
Irish nationals returning to live here on a permanent basis should experience no difficulty in demonstrating that they satisfy the requirements of the habitual residence condition.
I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that statistics regarding the nationality of appellants are not maintained by that Office. Overall, however, in 2009, 1,383 decisions were by made by Appeals Officers in relation to the Habitual Residence Condition of which 328 were allowed or partly allowed and 1,055 disallowed. In 2010, 4,146 decisions were made in relation to the Habitual Residence Condition, of which 744 were allowed or partially allowed and 3,399 disallowed.
32 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the expected timeframe within which the commission on taxation and social welfare will examine and publish recommendations on the interaction of the taxation and welfare systems as promised by the programme for Government. [6002/11]
The Government is committed to tackling Ireland's economic crisis in a way that is fair, balanced, and which recognises the need for social solidarity. As was stressed in the preamble to our Programme for Government, in order to address the very substantial problems that we face, it is essential that new ways, new approaches and new thinking will form the constant backdrop to the work of the Government. Creating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that we face.
It is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these problems. For this reason the Government will seek to benefit from the expertise of a Commission on Tax and Social Welfare that will consider a number of issues arising out of the operation of the tax and social welfare systems. The Government will consider the scope of the commission's work and the practical arrangements around its operation. An announcement will be made on these as soon as possible.
33 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection when the national carers strategy will be published. [6013/11]
45 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to develop a carers strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5977/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 45 together.
During 2008, an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, undertook work to develop a National Carers' Strategy. The Departments of Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Health and Children, and Social and Family Affairs, as well as the Health Service Executive and FÁS were represented on the group. The group met on six occasions during 2008 and the expertise of other Departments and Agencies was drawn on as particular issues were being considered. Discussions were also held with colleagues in Northern Ireland. A wide ranging consultation process was also undertaken which included a meeting with the social partners; two meetings with carer representative groups; and a public consultation process.
While each of the themes set out in the terms of reference was examined in terms of the current position, because of the prevailing economic situation, it was not possible to agree future targets or time limits which could be achieved. In that context, rather than publishing a document which did not include any significant plans for the future, the then Government decided not to publish a strategy.
The Government is committed in the Programme for Government to developing a carers' strategy. It will consider how to progress the development of the strategy, taking into account the prevailing economic realities.
34 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date regarding the introduction of gender recognition legislation; the timetable for introduction of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6009/11]
The Gender Recognition Advisory Group was established in 2010 with the following terms of reference:- "To advise the Minister for Social Protection on the legislation required to provide for legal recognition of the acquired gender of transsexuals. In particular, to propose heads of a bill to provide for:
The establishment of a process for legal recognition of the acquired gender of persons suffering from Gender Identity Disorder, who have made the transition from one gender to another.
The establishment of a gender recognition register
The granting of entitlement to marry in the legally recognised reassigned gender, and
Any other provisions as may be deemed necessary consequent to the main provisions of the Bill."
The Group is made up of representatives of various Departments and Offices of State. The group has met on a number of occasions and has engaged in extensive consultation with a range of representative organisations and individuals with knowledge and expertise in the area, both in Ireland and abroad. Further consultation, research and discussion is required on the issues arising. I understand that the group hopes to report within a matter of weeks.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of detailed stages and procedures involved in drafting and enacting legislation, so it is not possible for me to set out a timetable for the introduction of legislation in this matter at the present time.
35 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the cut to child benefit introduced in budget 2011 and if so, when. [6005/11]
Family and child income support payments both assist parents in contributing to the costs associated with raising children and play a very important role in the objective of reducing child poverty. The Government is conscious that child benefit as a universal payment can be an important source of income for all families during a time of recession and unemployment.
Between 2000 and 2009, overall expenditure on child benefit grew from just €638 million to approximately €2.5 billion per year. The reduction in the level of child benefit payments in Budget 2011 was designed to reduce the structural level of government spending in the context of a tough budgetary environment. This Government is committed to tackling Ireland's economic crisis in a way that is fair, balanced, and which recognises the need for social solidarity. The Government, in addressing all aspects of the public finance, will seek to ensure that resources are allocated fairly and that less well-off families are protected in so far as possible. Decisions on the child benefit payment rate are a matter to be decided in a budgetary context.
36 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reverse any of the welfare cuts imposed by the previous Government in the areas of disability payments, child benefit, rent allowance and jobseeker’s payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6028/11]
37 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the cuts to jobseeker’s payment rates introduced by the previous Government in budget 2011 and if so, when. [6020/11]
39 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the cuts to disability payment rates introduced by the previous Government in budget 2011 and if so, when. [6023/11]
40 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the cuts to carer’s payments rates introduced by the previous Government in budget 2011 and if so, when. [6021/11]
43 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the cut of 4% to the so-called working age social welfare rates introduced by the previous Government in budget 2011 and if so, when. [6006/11]
48 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection if the commitment in the programme for Government to maintain social welfare rates refers to all welfare payments and if this commitment is intended to last for the full duration of the Government’s term. [5975/11]
49 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the cuts to lone parent payment rates introduced by the previous Government in budget 2011 and if so, when. [6022/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 37, 39, 40, 43, 48 and 49 together.
This Government takes up office in the context of a profound banking, fiscal and jobs crisis and the decision to seek external financial assistance which has been provided by the EU and the IMF. This crisis has been caused by the reckless mismanagement of the economy by previous Governments. The priority of this Government is to get our economy moving, restore confidence, fix our banking system and support the protection and creation of jobs. The success of our economic plans will lay the foundation for the rest of our agenda for change.
Sustainable public finances are a prerequisite for economic stability and growth. To this end, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. We believe it is appropriate, in order to enhance international credibility, to stick to the aggregate adjustment as set out in the National Recovery Plan for the combined period 2011-2012. Accordingly, the appropriate levels of social welfare rates will be considered in the context of budget 2012. This Government is committed to tackling Ireland's economic crisis in a way that is fair, balanced, and which recognises the need for social solidarity. In this regard, the programme for Government contains a commitment to maintain social welfare rates.
In the meantime, the Government's priority is to develop a strategy to allow job growth and sustainable enterprise. This is central to any recovery strategy. The Government will, over its first 100 days, introduce and resource a series of measures designed to reduce unemployment and get Ireland working again. These will include measures to significantly increase the number of training, education and work experience opportunities as well as a wide range of other initiatives. I look forward to developing these with my colleagues over the next few weeks so that they can be announced and implemented as soon as possible.
38 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make any changes to the Tús scheme including if she will introduce reforms to make participation in the scheme genuinely voluntary in view of the fact that it involves caring for older persons and persons with disabilities. [6011/11]
Tús is a new activation measure which will provide 5,000 people on the Live Register with a work placement opportunity with community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations and service providers. These work placements will be 12 months long and support the work of the voluntary sector across the country. Persons on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance will be selected at random by the Department and offered an opportunity to participate in this work placement initiative. Where a customer does not wish to take up the opportunity, he or she is asked to provide reasons to the Department, and this may affect his or her payment. There are currently no plans to make changes to the eligibility or selection criteria for Tús.
Tús will be delivered via the 52 local development companies and by Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas. These bodies will have responsibility for the roll-out and delivery of Tús at local level and play a key role in identifying work placement opportunities and ensuring that persons selected for participation are matched with and suitable for the work placement.
Primary responsibility for ensuring the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults will rest with the work placement provider. The local development companies will be required to work with each placement provider to make arrangements in respect of Garda vetting and appropriate training in respect of child protection and security for vulnerable adults and the elderly.
41 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5959/11]
The administration of the Civil Registration Service is statutorily a matter for the Registrar General. I have made enquiries with the Registrar General and he has informed me that the general review of the provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004 is expected to be completed by the middle of this year. There are a range of issues to be considered in relation to the scope and implementation of any proposed changes to the provisions of the Act and some of these issues may have cross-departmental implications, which need to be considered also.
42 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date and plans for the transfer of community welfare officers to her Department including clarification on where the CWOs will be located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6000/11]
Late last year agreement was reached between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and unions representing the Community Welfare Officers that the staff of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) would transfer to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1st January 2011 on a secondment basis initially. The period of secondment is to last for 9 months until the end of September 2011. During this period, the various HR and administrative systems (such as payroll records) are to be put in place and the ongoing IR negotiations brought to a conclusion. While on secondment, the staff will remain employees of the HSE and, as such, will retain their existing terms and conditions, and will be represented by SIPTU and IMPACT.
From 1 October 2011 it is intended that the staff of the CWS will be transferred fully to the Department as civil servants and that associated resources such as buildings and administrative budget funding will also be transferred. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 provided the legislative basis for this to happen. Legislation to enable the Department to administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme directly was introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008.
I can confirm that the staff of the CWS did second to the Department from the beginning of this year. A number of events were held for the service so that staff could meet the Secretary General and other members of the Management Board and obtain clarification of the implications of the transfer and plans for the future development of the integrated Department. In practice, substantial progress has been made at local and regional level in integrating the Service and the Department. Regional co-ordinators and superintendent community welfare officers are now members of the Department's regional management teams, which meet regularly. Furthermore, six temporary transition managers have been appointed from within the CWS, following a competitive process, to assist in the transfer and integration process. A number of initiatives are underway at local level to address issues of mutual concern, improve communications and remove duplication and overlaps between the CWS and DSP Local Offices.
Negotiations between the unions and management side are continuing under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to resolve the outstanding industrial relations issues.
46 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the position on the previous Government’s plan to abolish the State pension transition in 2014; her views that such a move will create a poverty trap; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6018/11]
The challenges facing the Irish pension system are significant. In particular, the task of financing increasing pension spending will fall to a diminishing share of the population. There are currently six workers for every pensioner and this ratio is expected to decrease to less than two to one by 2050. Increasing State pension age is one of the ways in which we can sustain the pensions system and also maintain the value of the State pension at 35% of average earnings. People are living longer and healthier lives with average life expectancy set to rise even further in the future, up to 89 years for women and 83 for men. People will still, therefore, be spending at least the same amount of time in retirement as they are today, even with a later State pension age.
Therefore, as announced as part of the National Pensions Framework, state pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin in 2014 with the standardisation of the state pension age at 66. State pension age will be increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. As agreed under the EU/IMF Memorandum of Understanding, these changes will be provided for in legislation by mid-2011.
The details and timeframes for these changes are set out in the National Pensions Framework, which was published on 3 March 2010. The aim of the Framework is to deliver security, equity, choice and clarity for the individual, the employer and the State. It also aims to increase pension coverage, particularly among low to middle income groups and to ensure that State support for pensions is equitable and sustainable. An implementation group chaired by my Department is developing the legislative, regulatory and administrative infrastructure required to put the necessary reforms into operation.
However, in addition to these changes, both employees and employers must be encouraged to change their attitudes to working longer. In the workplace, employers must seek to retain older employees and create working conditions which will make working longer both attractive and feasible for the older worker. Where this is not possible and people leave paid employment before State pension age, they will be entitled to apply for another social welfare payment until they become eligible for a State pension, as is the current situation.
47 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make all working age schemes conditional on activation and, if not, which schemes will not be conditional on same. [6004/11]
Activation measures are designed to assist people in receipt of social welfare payments to move into employment and that they are facilitated in doing so by ensuring that they have relevant skills in a changing labour market. The process underway, wherein the Employment and Community Services elements of FÁS, as well as the Community Welfare Service, are being integrated into the Department, will enhance the effectiveness of activation interventions for customers of working age and deliver positive outcomes for them.
While, initially, people in receipt of unemployment payments will be the primary focus of enhanced activation measures within the new service, a number of specific changes have also been introduced to facilitate other customers of working age schemes in engaging with the labour market. The introduction of a partial capacity scheme is proposed as a policy response primarily aimed at addressing the gap in provision in relation to the variation in the capacity of recipients of a range of social insurance-based illness, disability and invalidity payments to engage in the active labour market.
In addition, legislative changes have been introduced relating to one parent families to alter the passive nature of current income maintenance arrangements. At present, one parent family payment can be paid in respect of children up to 18 years of age (22 if in ongoing education). From April 2011, the allowance will, with special arrangements for specific situations, only be paid until the youngest child reaches 14 years of age — with some transition arrangements for current recipients. Thereafter, the person may apply for a jobseeker's payment and will be subject to the conditionality associated with that payment.
The Department is aware of the inherent issues in the current contingency-based system. In this regard, it recently published a report on the feasibility of introducing a single social assistance payment for all people of working age. The introduction of a single social assistance payment would represent a fundamental overhaul of the assistance system and refocus it on participation with the overall objective of ensuring better outcomes for people and their families relying on income support and of reducing benefit dependency. The vision for a single payment is based on the objective that everyone is given or directed to the support and services they need in order to enter employment, or other training or educational opportunities. In return, provision of such relevant supports is matched by an expectation that they take up that support and that there is, therefore, a matching of rights and responsibilities.
The developments outlined above will be monitored and the outcomes will inform any extension of conditionality above and beyond what is currently in place or planned. Pending this, customers of schemes where conditionality is not currently a feature are, of course, free to avail of activation measures such as back-to-education and the back-to-work allowances where appropriate, and also to access advice and guidance available from facilitators or employment service officers.
50 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details on the programme for Government commitment to expand eligibility for the back to education allowance including a timeframe and the intended form of expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6001/11]
The focus of the back to education allowance (BTEA) is to assist those who are most marginalised and distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system. The BTEA scheme can offer participation in second and third level education by enabling eligible people on social welfare to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held. In acknowledgement that the BTEA scheme has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers, the Programme for Government 2011-2016 includes a commitment to resource a Jobs Fund that will finance a number of measures including the expansion of the eligibility for the BTEA scheme. This commitment is under active consideration in my Department.
51 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish a detailed poverty impact study of the current budget and if she will conduct a poverty impact study of budget 2012 in advance of same. [6019/11]
An analysis of the distributive and poverty impacts on families of the tax/welfare package in Budget 2011, including the impact of the four Budgets over the period 2009 to 2011 inclusive, was carried out by my Department last December with the technical assistance of the Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. I arranged to have this analysis published on my Departmental website in the last few days. I intend to conduct a poverty impact analysis of the welfare changes in Budget 2012 prior to the announcement of that Budget.
52 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details on the programme for Government’s commitment to divert staff from elsewhere in the public service to clear the social welfare appeals backlog, including the number, when and from where these staff will be diverted. [6007/11]
The need for additional resources to deal with a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office has been recognised by my Department. The annual intake of appeals has increased from 14,070 in 2007 to 32,432 in 2010, an increase of 18,362 (130.5%) and currently it appears that another 30,000 will be received during 2011.
In this context, 9 additional appointments have been made to the office in recent weeks. 3 of these appointments are permanent assignments and 6 are temporary assignments for a period of 2 years, subject to review. These assignments will augment the 3 appointments made to the Office in 2010, bringing the total number of Appeals Officers serving in the office to 29.
The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 facilitated the use of experienced retired former Appeals Officers, on a strictly temporary basis to assist in bringing the backlogs under control. As a result, 8 of these officers have been employed since July of last year giving the equivalent of an additional 3 full-time staff. Because of the quasi-judicial nature and complexity of the work there can be a relatively long lead-in time before new Appeals Officers become fully competent to deal with the full range of cases coming to the Office. In that regard and to ensure there is no loss of output during the period of training of the newly appointed Officers, these retired former Appeals Officers will continue to assist in the Office until the end of this year. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the matter of providing further additional staff will be kept under continuous review.
In conjunction with the provision of extra staff, the Chief Appeals Officer is undertaking a review of the current operating model with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.
53 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the action being taken by her to address the serious problem in which 51.5% of all those unemployed are long-term unemployed; the initiatives being planned to prevent this number increasing and to help those who are structurally unemployed to get back into the labour market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5878/11]
The Department of Social Protection operates a range of employment support measures designed to encourage and support social welfare recipients of working age to reduce their dependency on welfare payments. These include the employment support schemes, the activation programme and the Department's role in the National Employment Action Plan. The Department also supports new activation measures undertaken by other agencies, for example, the Work Placement Programme administered by FÁS and the Labour Market Activation Fund administered by the Department of Education and Skills.
While the primary responsibility for job creation rests with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation, this Department already has a role in supporting people from welfare to work. The National Employment Action Plan is the main activation measure for jobseekers and provides for a systematic engagement of the employment services with unemployed people. It has been in operation since 1998 and has proven successful in that period in assisting people on the live register back into employment.
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 Protection and referred to FÁS for interview with the aim of assisting them to enter/re-enter the labour market. The Employment Action Plan process is a key element 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 Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is operated by my Department and is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are long term dependent on social welfare payments to make a return to work financially attractive and viable. The Short Term Enterprise Allowance is payable to a person who qualifies for Jobseekers' Benefit and who wishes to commence in self employment. This allowance is payable for the duration of their Jobseeker's Benefit entitlement.
The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme was launched in 2010 and extended until end 2011. The purpose of the scheme is to support job creation and counter the drift of people into long-term unemployment and welfare dependency. In addition, the Tús initiative will provide for up to 5,000 places when fully rolled out.
A re-configuration of Government departments has already taken effect to develop a more comprehensive and effective activation strategy that will strengthen the links between getting benefits, searching for a job and participating in employment and training programmes. Bringing together, under the aegis of one department, the employment services of FÁS, the expertise of its employment support officers and the unemployment services of this Department will offer significant opportunities to generate synergies, improve efficiency and, ultimately, improve service delivery to those availing of those services.
54 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach the position regarding census employees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/11]
A total of 5,344 temporary field staff are currently employed by the CSO to carry out the field work on the 2011 census, of whom 4,854 are census enumerators. All of the recruitment for the census field operation has been carried out by the CSO under licence by the Commission for Public Service Appointments and complies with their strict recruitment principles regarding fairness, equality, openness and transparency.
It is important to note that all applicants for enumerator positions were assessed at interview on their availability for census work (given the need to make frequent calls to households at different times of the day); those in full-time work were assessed as having low availability and so would be unlikely to be offered enumerator positions ahead of other suitably qualified candidates. It is more likely that enumerators who were already in employment were working part-time elsewhere. However it was not open to the CSO to exclude people on this basis.
The following table indicates the employment situation and live register status of the 4,854 enumerators, prior to their employment on the census, detailed by the 44 census regions. Sutton and Baldoyle fall into Region 2. A description of the location of the 44 regions is available on the census.ie website. Information on whether persons were previously self-employed, the sectors in which they previously worked and, if applicable, their pension arrangements is not collated as part of the recruitment process and so is unavailable.
|
Previous Employment Situation of Census Enumerators |
Total No. of Enumerators |
Of which: On Live Register |
||
|
Region |
Employed |
Not employed |
||
|
1 |
38 |
61 |
100 |
1 |
|
2 |
47 |
64 |
113 |
6 |
|
3 |
44 |
83 |
130 |
17 |
|
4 |
37 |
83 |
124 |
10 |
|
5 |
48 |
70 |
123 |
16 |
|
6 |
42 |
73 |
121 |
47 |
|
7 |
35 |
64 |
106 |
15 |
|
8 |
47 |
60 |
115 |
25 |
|
9 |
46 |
72 |
127 |
3 |
|
10 |
39 |
77 |
126 |
4 |
|
11 |
33 |
80 |
124 |
13 |
|
12 |
47 |
76 |
135 |
3 |
|
13 |
34 |
63 |
110 |
17 |
|
14 |
29 |
81 |
124 |
11 |
|
15 |
40 |
70 |
125 |
26 |
|
16 |
37 |
73 |
126 |
1 |
|
17 |
45 |
66 |
128 |
11 |
|
18 |
54 |
55 |
127 |
45 |
|
19 |
44 |
66 |
129 |
24 |
|
20 |
52 |
59 |
131 |
9 |
|
21 |
40 |
71 |
132 |
24 |
|
22 |
40 |
69 |
131 |
43 |
|
23 |
40 |
69 |
132 |
1 |
|
24 |
54 |
55 |
133 |
0 |
|
25 |
39 |
61 |
125 |
27 |
|
26 |
53 |
58 |
137 |
40 |
|
27 |
32 |
78 |
137 |
18 |
|
28 |
38 |
75 |
141 |
28 |
|
29 |
31 |
69 |
129 |
15 |
|
30 |
33 |
77 |
140 |
6 |
|
31 |
51 |
58 |
140 |
9 |
|
32 |
40 |
65 |
137 |
8 |
|
33 |
29 |
70 |
132 |
23 |
|
34 |
32 |
77 |
143 |
0 |
|
35 |
39 |
72 |
146 |
48 |
|
36 |
54 |
66 |
156 |
17 |
|
37 |
53 |
57 |
147 |
1 |
|
38 |
38 |
72 |
148 |
11 |
|
39 |
29 |
80 |
148 |
14 |
|
40 |
35 |
86 |
161 |
28 |
|
41 |
41 |
68 |
150 |
34 |
|
42 |
28 |
82 |
152 |
23 |
|
43 |
34 |
73 |
150 |
3 |
|
44 |
36 |
73 |
153 |
15 |
|
Total |
1,777 |
3,077 |
4,854 |
740 |
55 Deputy David Stanton asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of the agencies or bodies under the aegis of his Department which he plans to make accountable to Dáil Éireann through the parliamentary question system; when he expects this to occur for each of the agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6178/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a range of measures, including the one referred to by the Deputy in his Question, to reform and modernise the ways in which the Dáil carries out its functions. The Government Chief Whip will bring forward proposals to give effect to the commitments in the Programme as they relate to Dáil Reform, for consideration by the Government in the first instance. Once a package of proposals has been agreed at Government, the Chief Whip will consult on them with the other Party Whips through the Dáil Reform Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
56 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person (details supplied) will be able to apply and receive a passport for their child. [6062/11]
The Passports Act, 2008 requires that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. The person in question was born in Ireland last October. Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, (1956 Act) persons born in the State after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside without restriction in the State or in Northern Ireland, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for a passport) only where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three years of the four years preceding their birth.
In the case of applications for passports arising from the terms of the 1956 Act, it is the practice of the Passport Service to seek evidence of lawful residence in the State by one or both parents. The types of evidence considered are immigration stamps in passports and Garda National Immigration Bureau cards and registration books.
In this case an application on behalf of the child was presented to the public counter at the Passport Office in Molesworth Street (PPO) last October. On examination of the application and the supporting documentation, it was determined that the applicant's mother had not sufficient lawful residence in the State to demonstrate her daughter's entitlement to Irish citizenship under the 1956 Act. The applicant's mother was informed of this and advised that a passport could not issue to her daughter. As there was no purpose in pursuing the application, it was never registered with the Department.
On 20 October 2010 solicitors representing the applicant's mother wrote to the Department about her daughter's passport entitlement. This letter included evidence of the mother's residence in the State. This was reviewed by officials in the Passport Service which found that the original decision not to issue a passport was correct. The solicitors were advised of this by the Department in a letter dated 29 November 2010.
The Department's letter also noted the absence of issued permissions to stay in the State from the Irish immigration authorities during the four year period prior to the child's birth in 2010. This had a direct and negative effect on the calculated amount of reckonable residence for the applicant's mother. It was, however, pointed out that all issues relating to immigration and citizenship are the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Law Reform and that it was a matter for them and their client to pursue such matters with that Department.
To date, no reply from the solicitors has been received. However, if as a result of their contact with the Department of Justice and Law Reform, the applicant's mother is in a position to demonstrate her daughter's entitlement to Irish citizenship, this Department will be in a position to issue a passport on receipt of a completed and witnessed passport application.
57 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports issued in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the average process time to issue a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6109/11]
The number of passports issued over the period 2007 to 2011 is as follows:
|
Year |
Passports Issued |
|
2007 |
601,000 |
|
2008 |
576,617 |
|
2009 |
572,783 |
|
2010 |
603,753 |
|
2011 to 18 March |
106,615 |
The average time to process a passport submitted through the Passport Express and Northern Ireland Passport Express services available through the post offices is ten days. It takes on average four — six weeks to process all other applications.
Applications with proof of travel may also avail of a fast-track service where passports are guaranteed to be processed within three working days. Applicants should make contact with the Passport Service and provide this proof where applicable. An additional fee will apply in respect of such new applications. This is the fastest turnaround time for all applications except for those whose travel is required for urgent humanitarian reasons. This 3 day service applies to applications submitted in Ireland only.
I intend that sufficient resources are made available to ensure that these processing times are achieved. In this context I can confirm that the first batch of additional temporary seasonal staff for the Passport Service commenced work on 28 March.
58 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the way social impact bonds will be issued; the person who will regulate the system of social impact bonds and where the funds garnered from them will be used. [6063/11]
The Government Programme for National Recovery 2011-2016 provides that the Government will establish a new model of financing social interventions — called Social Impact Bonds — that share audited exchequer savings with charitable and voluntary organisations. The Government will consider how best to establish this new and innovative mechanism and will bring forward proposals in due course.
59 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the major policy documents (details supplied) developed by the previous Government which will be pursued by the current Government. [5917/11]
The Government has set out its programme in the document A Government for National Recovery 2011-2016. The measures contained in the programme represent the Government’s assessment of the policies that should be pursued in the best interests of the country. The Government is fully committed to reaching the 3% of GDP General Government deficit target. However, we believe that the appropriate time-scale to achieve this is over the period to 2015. It is important to remember that this one-year extension to the time period for restoring order to the public finances had already been provided for by the Ecofin Council agreement of December last and as such is entirely consistent with the views of the EU Commission.
In order to enhance our international credibility, the Government believes it is appropriate to adhere to the aggregate budgetary adjustment as set out in the National Recovery Plan for the combined period 2011-2012. In preparation for Budget 2013, we will review progress on deficit reduction, in terms of achieving the objective of reaching the 3% of GDP deficit target by 2015. The overall macroeconomic and fiscal forecasts are currently being reviewed in light of emerging economic and fiscal data, as well as the Programme for Government and they will be presented in the Irish Stability Programme Update which is due to be submitted to the EU Commission by the end of April in line with the terms of the new EU Semester.
The Government believes that job creation is central to any recovery strategy and for this reason the Government will bring forward specific proposals in this regard in the coming weeks, as promised as part of the Programme for Government's "first 100 days" commitment.
The Public Service Agreement, or Croke Park Agreement as it is commonly referred to, represents an agreed response by the management and unions in the public service to the need to reduce the cost of the public service as a contribution to addressing the deficit in the public finances. The Agreement facilitates the reduction in public service employee numbers while maintaining industrial peace and maintaining the provision of necessary public services to the maximum extent possible. The Agreement is consistent with the agreed Programme for Government and the Government is committed to maximising the potential of the Agreement.
60 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a tax rebate application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6060/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they received an application for mortgage interest relief for 2010 on 14th March last. Revenue is satisfied that the person concerned has an entitlement to interest relief from 2007 to 2010 on the basis of qualifying loans taken out by him. The relief applies also to 2011. Relief for 2011 will be granted at source through the mortgage provider and directly from Revenue to the customer for the years 2007 to 2010.
61 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the current value, including a breakdown by asset type, of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and the amount of the remaining value of the fund that has been committed to further bank recapitalisation and any capital projects. [6061/11]
The total value of the National Pensions Reserve Fund at 31 December 2010 was €24.4 billion. This figure comprised €9.5 billion in the Directed Portfolio (the value of investments in Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks held on the direction of the Minister for Finance) and €14.9 billion in the Discretionary Portfolio (the balance of the Fund excluding directed investments). The National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission publishes a report on the performance of the NPRF at the end of each quarter on its website www.nprf.ie.
The following table sets out the asset allocation of the NPRF as at 31 December 2010:
|
€m* |
% of Discretionary Portfolio |
% of Total Fund |
|
|
Large Cap Equity |
5,781 |
38.6% |
|
|
Small Cap Equity |
998 |
6.7% |
|
|
Emerging Markets Equity |
1,547 |
10.3% |
|
|
Quoted Equity |
8,326 |
56.6% |
|
|
Eurozone Government Bonds |
142 |
0.9% |
|
|
Eurozone Inflation Linked Bonds |
68 |
0.5% |
|
|
Eurozone Corporate Bonds |
1,011 |
6.8% |
|
|
Cash |
2,289 |
15.3% |
|
|
Financial Assets |
3,511 |
23.5% |
|
|
Private Equity |
885 |
5.9% |
|
|
Property |
1,017 |
6.8% |
|
|
Commodities |
524 |
3.5% |
|
|
Infrastructure |
530 |
3.5% |
|
|
Absolute Return Funds |
172 |
1.2% |
|
|
Alternative Assets |
3,128 |
20.9% |
|
|
Total Discretionary Portfolio |
14,965 |
100% |
61.3% |
|
Directed Investments |
9,458 |
38.7% |
|
|
Total Portfolio |
24,423 |
100.0% |
*figures subject to rounding.
The National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) was established in 2001 under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000. The purpose in establishing the NPRF was to meet as much as possible of the cost to the Exchequer of social welfare pensions and public service pensions to be paid from the year 2025 until at least 2055. The NPRF Commission is responsible for the overall control, management and investment of the assets of the Fund.
The legislation was amended by the Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009 and the Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 to allow the Minister for Finance to direct the NPRF Commission to invest in credit institutions in certain circumstances, to buy government and government-guaranteed securities and to make payments to the Exchequer in the years 2011 to 2013 to fund capital expenditure.
As announced on 28 November 2010, the assets of the National Pensions Reserve Fund are to be used as part of the State's €17.5 billion contribution to the €85 billion EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. It is envisaged that €10 billion of this amount will be sourced from the NPRF. On 23 February 2011, my predecessor directed the NPRF Commission to hold €5.5 billion in cash or comparable instruments as the first part of a phased de-risking of the €10 billion which is required from the NPRF under the Programme of Financial Support for Ireland.
The Government has indicated in its Programme for Government that it sees a significant role for the NPRF in providing funding for its National Development Plan on a commercial basis. We have also stated that we will construct a €100 million Microfinance Start-Up Fund that will provide start-up loans and equity that draws funding from the NPRF and private institutional funds.
The NPRF, in keeping with its commercial statutory remit, has (i) indicated that it has agreed in principle to fund a water metering investment programme up to an amount of €550 million (subject to certain pre-conditions) and (ii) in the context of a 5% allocation of the Discretionary Portfolio to infrastructure, indicated its preferred approach is to invest up to €500 million alongside third-party institutional investors in infrastructure assets in Ireland. The Fund has committed €125 million to Innovation Fund Ireland and has also made other investments in Irish venture capital projects.
With regard to further bank recapitalisation, the Government will not make a decision in relation to recapitalisation until the results of the Prudential Capital Assessment Review (PCAR) exercise are available. These results are to be published on Thursday, 31 March 2011.
62 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if non-teaching school staff who are not either fully or partly-funded from the Exchequer are also subject to the pay cuts introduced for Exchequer-funded posts under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6085/11]
As I mentioned in my response to Question No. 50 by the Deputy on Wednesday, 23 March 2011, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 provides for the reduction in the pay rates of all persons employed by public service bodies, as defined under the Act, with effect from 1 January 2010. The non-teaching staff referred to in the question are, whether employed in recognised public or private schools, deemed to be public servants within the meaning of and for the purposes of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 and the method by which such posts may be funded does not alter this position. This has been confirmed by legal advice.
As noted also in my response to Question No. 50 the former Minister for Finance approved a temporary exemption under Section 6 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act for certain categories of workers in the education sector (including certain caretakers and secretaries) until 31 December 2010. Accordingly, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act has been applied to those specific categories of workers in the education sector since 1 January 2011 only.
63 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to a matter raised in correspondence by a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [6056/11]
The process of allocating teaching resources to schools for 2011/2012 and the arrangements for filling vacant or new teaching posts takes place in the context of the EU-IMF Programme of Support for Ireland and the Public Service Agreement 2010/2014. It is necessary for my Department to exercise additional control and reporting measures this year to ensure that the numbers of teachers employed in schools is consistent with the EU-IMF Programme of Support for Ireland.
There are new redeployment arrangements in operation at post-primary level. All schools must fully comply with these arrangements as the country cannot afford to leave teachers surplus in some schools and continue to recruit teachers in other schools. The Government will endeavour to protect front-line education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government gave to this country.
64 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if persons (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6057/11]
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 to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. 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.
65 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timescale for the construction of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if he will ensure that a hall or gymnasium is provided; if he will ensure maximum consultation with the staff and parents of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6058/11]
As the Deputy may be aware my Department has met on several occasions with both the GAA club and Dublin City Council, in their respective capacities as the land-holders and as the planning authority to negotiate with both parties an acceptable solution for the provision of a new school building on the site currently occupied by the school. The net result of these discussions was that after having gone through a number of potential design solutions, an optimal design solution was agreed in principle which would have regard to a number of factors such as the restricted nature of the site, the existing facilities on the overall site, the concerns of the planning authority in relation, inter alia, to traffic management issues and the concerns of the GAA Club in relation to their existing playing pitches.
To this end, my Department is now in the process of working up a detailed planning application based on the initial design solution discussed with the aforementioned parties. The Deputy can be assured that the school authorities will be informed of the proposed design solution and the rationale informing such a solution in advance of the formal submission of the planning application. The Deputy may also wish to note that within the last few days Dublin City Council has advised my Department that the proposed disposal has been approved at a meeting of the Central Area Committee and the way is now open for the Elected Members to consider the disposal of that portion of the site being made available in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001.
66 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangement he has made to ensure that redundant apprentices will receive work placements to enable them to complete their apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6059/11]
A significant number of measures are currently in place to enable registered redundant apprentices to progress in their apprenticeships. Under the apprenticeship programme administered by FÁS, the rules for off-the-job training have been amended to permit redundant apprentices to progress to their next off-the-job training phases. To date in 2011, 714 apprentices, registered as redundant, had completed their next off-the-job training phase. An additional 454 are scheduled to commence off-the-job training in April 2011.
The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme introduced by FÁS last year to provide work placement opportunities for redundant apprentices to complete on-the-job training at Phase 3, 5 and 7, has been broadened in 2011 to include placements with employers in both the private and public sectors. The scheme, for which €7.3m in funding is being provided, aims to provide placement and training for up to 1,000 apprentices. The maximum period of placement is 26 weeks at Phase 3 or 26 weeks at Phase 5 or 12 weeks at Phase 7. Under the 2010 scheme, the employment costs of the redundant apprentice, which were in line with industry wage norms, were paid by the employer with FÁS contributing a weekly subsidy of €250. 443 redundant apprentices availed of this measure in 2010.
The new 2011 scheme requires no wage contribution from the employer while FÁS pays the appropriate on-the-job training phase allowance to the redundant apprentice involved. Eligible redundant apprentices are referred by FÁS to approved employers to participate in the scheme. To date in 2011, 303 redundant apprentices have been placed on the scheme with a further 29 applications approved.
In addition, under the Phase 7 Equivalent Assessments Scheme, redundant apprentices in the trades of Carpentry and Joinery, Cabinet Making, Electrical, Plumbing, Brick and Stonelaying, and Plastering, who have successfully completed Phases 1 to 6 of their apprenticeships but who have not completed on-the-job Phase 7 Assessments, are scheduled by FÁS to undertake Phase 7 Equivalent Assessments over a 4 week period in a FÁS Training Centre.
Under the Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme, redundant apprentices who have successfully completed Phases 1 to 7 (or Phase 7 Equivalent Assessments) of their apprenticeships but who have not completed the statutory four years in employment as apprentices may be granted an exemption from this requirement by validating their competence. FÁS invites qualifying redundant apprentices to submit a portfolio of evidence of trade related work experience gained at home, abroad or in trade related training and education on the basis of which evidence exemptions may be granted. 51 applications under the scheme have been received to date in 2011.
Under the EU Leonardo da Vinci Lifelong Learning Programme, 12 redundant apprentices commenced on-the-job training with employers in Germany in February 2011. Under the Fee Waiver Scheme, FÁS day and evening course fees are waived for redundant apprentices to facilitate them to enhance their employable skills.
FÁS, with the support of the Department of Defence and the Irish Air Corps, is providing on-the-job training at Phases 5 and 7 for aircraft mechanic apprentices made redundant at SR Technics from 2009. All eligible redundant Aircraft Mechanics have been offered on-the-job training in the Air Corps. To date, 15 redundant apprentices have availed of this progression option.
Finally, a number of new programmes for redundant apprentices and craftspersons are being developed currently by FÁS in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority and Institutes of Technology. These programmes include a post-Phase 6 Certificate in Craft Transferable Skills, a special course in Advanced Skills for Redundant Plastering Craftspersons, a Certificate in Entrepreneurship for Redundant Craftspersons and short duration courses to prepare apprentices to repeat their outstanding assessments.
67 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support the case of a school (details supplied) regarding new premises. [6099/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that officials in my Department have conducted technical inspections of two properties at the request of the school authorities. A preferred option has been identified and a meeting has been sought with the land owner to progress the matter further.
68 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding a village hall (details supplied) in County Meath which has applied for work under the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6127/11]
I can confirm that the school adjoining the village hall referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for works under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme. Applications for funding under the scheme have been processed in my Department and I will be making an announcement in relation to the outcome of this process this afternoon. Schools authorities will be notified, in writing, of the decision on their applications in the coming days.
69 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he has not yet acquired a site for a proposed new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he will proceed to acquire the lands zoned for educational use in the Monasterevin local area plan, situated in the Moore Abbey Demesne; if this site is still his preferred location for the new school or education campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6131/11]
The acquisition of a suitable site and the delivery of a new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of existing commitments and other competing demands on the Department's capital budget. This position has been communicated by my Department to the school authority. I am not in a position at this stage to say when this acquisition will be progressed.
70 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a lease (details supplied). [6153/11]
The Deputy will be aware, that the Chief State Solicitor's Office have advised my Department that they recently forwarded a draft lease in relation to the former Greendale Community School Campus including the sports hall facility to the solicitors acting for the City of Dublin VEC. The Deputy might note that before this lease is agreed, it is intended to draw up a side agreement in relation to the activities of the club. The VEC have been requested to interact with the club on this matter.
The Deputy can be assured that it is not the intention of this Department to remove the club from using the sports facility or restrict the club's access to the facility for its members. However, it is the Department's view that any other groups currently utilising the facility or groups who may wish to avail of this asset with or without the consent of the club should be dealing directly with the VEC in relation to future on-going use of these premises.
71 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 105 of 29 September 2010, 80 of 9 November 2010 and 110 of 17 November 2010, the position regarding the planning application to construct two new schools in an area (details supplied) in County Cork; the expected cost of constructing the new schools; if funding is available for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6156/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is engaged in the process of acquiring a suitable site and to this end has applied for planning permission as part of the exchange of contracts. Following receipt of a request for further information relating to the planning application submitted, my Department has met with the planning authority and I am advised that the Department's response to the further information request will take account of the views raised by the planners.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
72 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the safe pass is recognised outside of Ireland; if so, the locations where it is recognised; if his attention has been drawn to similar certificates awarded in other EU states; if these are recognised here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6157/11]
Safe Pass is a one day safety awareness training programme for workers in the construction industry, on completion of which each worker is issued with a Safe Pass card that is valid for four years. The Safe Pass card is recognised in the U.K under an agreement on the mutual recognition of registration cards in respect of health and safety awareness training in place between FÁS and the U.K. Construction Skills Certification Scheme.
FAS is not currently aware of any similar programmes in operation in other EU member states. However, in the event that a person were to present a form of safety awareness training certification issued by an authority in another EU member state, FÁS would seek to establish its comparability with Safe Pass, and engage with the relevant authority in that country with a view to developing a mutual recognition agreement, as appropriate.
73 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the major policy documents (details supplied) developed by the previous Government which will be pursued by the current Government. [5917/11]
The priority policy initiatives identified by the Government are set out in the programme, Government for National Recovery 2011-2016. Our over-riding priority is to get our economy moving, restore confidence, fix our banking system and support the protection and creation of jobs. Taking account of that focus it is our intention to review the objectives of existing policy documents and to have recommendations taken forward, as appropriate, where it makes sense to do so.
As regards Horizon 2020, I have already engaged with IDA Ireland and the other enterprise agencies under my Department's remit in order to develop a jobs programme for the years ahead. Likewise, we support the overall objective of the strategy and action plan set out in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, which is essentially to marshal and coordinate the resources of the State in a way that best supports firms, of all sizes, in all parts of the country, which are trying to trade and grow their business overseas. We believe that its implementation will result in the sustained, concentrated and coordinated efforts of all the key Government Departments and agencies, including our embassies and consulates abroad in support for Irish companies in overseas markets and we welcome that Departments and agencies will implement the strategy and action plan from within their current budgets.
74 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the details of any trade agreements between Ireland and the Gadaffi regime in Libya and the volume of trade between Libya and Ireland; the status of same in view of the current crisis in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6026/11]
75 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the details of any trade or other agreements between Ireland and the Gulf states of Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia; and if same should be suspended in view of the repression being visited by those states on pro-democracy movements and activists, and their more general denial of basic civil rights to their citizens. [6027/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
The Deputy will be aware that under the Treaties of the European Union, the EU acts as a single entity in its trade dealings with third countries, operating a single policy, known as the Common Commercial Policy (CCP). The Commission has competence in negotiations on CCP related issues and, therefore, it conducts trade negotiations on behalf of the EU. The Commission is currently discussing a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council, (which includes Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia). These discussions are ongoing and have been for a considerable time. In relation to Libya, the Commission had been negotiating a Framework Agreement (an overarching agreement of which Trade would be one element), between the EU and that country, but these negotiations were suspended last month.
Accordingly my Department does not have any trade agreements with any of the countries mentioned. Neither do we have any other agreements with them. Ireland does however participate in a number of Joint Economic Commissions (JECs) including with Libya and Saudi Arabia. JECs are formal Bilateral Intergovernmental fora, dealing with all aspects of trade development between two countries, as well as the development of economic and business cooperation and scientific and technological cooperation. Meetings of these JECs are normally held every two years and are hosted alternately in each of the two countries involved. The most recent meeting of the Ireland/Saudi Arabia JEC was held in June 2010. In the case of the Ireland/Libya JEC, the most recent meeting took place in October 2010; this was the first such meeting with that country after a gap of almost 20 years. Both these meetings were hosted by Ireland.
Trade sanctions or similar measures are sometimes advocated by concerned groups in relation to some countries, on the basis of their human rights record. Trade policy and market access issues are, as mentioned above, largely EU competencies, and restrictions on trade would have to be concerted at EU level. As a small trading nation which makes its way in the world by selling our products and services abroad, Ireland is always cautious about proposals to subordinate trade policy to political objectives. We can only consider such action in the broader context of EU or UN sanctions. Where sanctions based on political considerations are applied, they need to be carefully considered and designed to avoid causing hardship to the general population of a country. For this reason also, general trade sanctions are rarely applied.
Regarding the levels of trade between Ireland and these countries, the details are shown on the tables below. The latest merchandise trade details are available for the period January-November 2010 and the latest services statistics are in respect of the year 2009.
Trade between Ireland and the countries listed below:
|
Imports |
Exports |
|
|
Libya |
296.7 |
33.4 |
|
Bahrain |
0.1 |
27.7 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
107.3 |
257.5 |
|
Kuwait |
0.5 |
59.8 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
10.8 |
454.7 |
|
Imports |
Exports |
|
|
Libya |
0 |
0 |
|
Bahrain |
11 |
N/A |
|
United Arab Emirates |
106 |
397 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
44 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
30 |
162 |
76 Deputy Alex White asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the significant delays faced by many small businesses in obtaining payment for supply of goods and services to certain large and high-turnover companies and businesses; the steps he will take to address this phenomenon, which poses a serious danger to the very survival of such small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6075/11]
Payment terms in commercial transactions are determined by the parties concerned and the responsibility for the collection of those payments and general credit control rests with the selling enterprise, in the first instance. The issue of late payments in commercial transactions is addressed by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 388 of 2002).
In accordance with these Regulations, it is an implied term of every commercial transaction that where a purchaser does not pay for goods or services by the relevant payment date, the supplier shall be entitled to interest ("late payment interest") on the amount outstanding. Interest shall apply until such time as payment is made by the purchaser. The current interest rate applicable is 8% per annum or 0.022% per day. This rate is set as at 1st January and 1st July each year at a rate of 7 percentage points above the European Central Bank interest rate on its most recent main re-financing operation.
In the absence of any agreed payment date between the parties, late payment interest falls due after 30 days has elapsed. The 2002 Regulations also provide for compensation for debt recovery costs. Greater use of these provisions would assist in achieving earlier payments. The enforcement of contractual rights, including any rights and obligations provided for by the Regulations, is a matter for individual suppliers. The Regulations do not provide for any enforcement role for my Department in respect of these matters.
The Deputy will be aware that since 2009, Central Government Departments have been improving their respective payment times, so as to assist the cash flow of businesses and are now obliged to pay their suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. This voluntary 15 day prompt payment period is being rolled out to the Health Service Executive, the Local Authorities, State Agencies, and all other Public Sector Bodies, (excluding Commercial Semi-State bodies), in respect of valid invoices received on or after 1 July 2011. This requirement is being introduced on foot of commitments made under the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland. This initiative should have a considerable impact on cash flows of SME customers.
77 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if a company (details supplied) received any grant aid from any State employment agencies for the construction of any of its two Dublin based production facilities based in locations including the value and date of the funding offers. [6093/11]
While the provision of grants by the enterprise agencies to companies is a day to day operational matter for the agencies themselves, and not one in which I have a role, I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the company in question was paid grants totalling €6,586,470 in respect of its operations at Tallaght and Grange Castle. Included in this total is a capital grant of €444,408 (paid in January 1997) in respect of plant and machinery for the Tallaght facility. Manufacturing moved to the Grange Castle plant in 2008. No grant in respect of production plant and machinery was paid in respect of this facility.
78 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection when a redundancy payment will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [6081/11]
On 1 January 2011, the Department assumed responsibility for making redundancy payments from the Social Insurance Fund. There are two types of redundancy payment made from the fund i.e. rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that no statutory redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the individual concerned has been received by my Department.
79 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection when the statutory redundancy payments will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6160/11]
On 1 January 2011, the Department assumed responsibility for making redundancy payments from the Social Insurance Fund. There are two types of redundancy payment made from the fund i.e. rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that a statutory redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the individual concerned was received on 7 March, 2011. This claim is pending processing.
80 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the functions of the new national employment and entitlements service; the timeframe for its implementation and the division of responsibilities among the different Departments in relation to this new body. [6054/11]
The Programme for Government states that a new National Employment and Entitlements Service will be established under the management of the Department of Social Protection. The objective is to integrate all employment and benefit support services in a single delivery unit which will provide a ‘one stop shop' for people wishing to establish their benefit entitlements, seeking employment and, or, advice about their training options. The focus is very much on the individual and his/her right to a payment and the corresponding responsibility to engage in employment, training or upskilling, as appropriate, which should improve a person's life chances. It is clear that we are talking about a multi-annual programme of work which will involve development of a new service, the assignment of functions to the Service and the development of its organisation process and operational systems.
A number of streams of work are already underway which will facilitate the establishment of the integrated Service. The administration of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme has already been transferred to the Department of Social Protection with the secondment of the Community Welfare Service from the Health Service Executive since the beginning of this year. The intention is to have the staff fully integrated with the Department by the end of September this year. The transfer and integration of the employment and community employment services of FÁS to the Department is also underway and it is envisaged that the integration of staff will commence later this year.
A key objective of the Government in relation to the new service is that it will offer users a high level of personalised employment counselling and prioritise the provision of more intensive support for those on the live register who are identified as being most at risk of long-term unemployment. This will be achieved through the use of proactive approaches and modern case management systems. A number of pilot projects are already underway in relation to the development of case management, the identification of those who are most at risk of falling into long-term unemployment as well as improving information exchanges and communications between the different bodies which currently provide social welfare and employment services. These pilot projects will be completed and evaluated in the coming months after which approaches will be developed for their roll-out nationwide.
81 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the payment to a private bus operator (details supplied) for persons using free travel passes in view of the rising costs in fuel and the withdrawal of the subsidy on the fuel duty by the Government in 2010 and in view of the fact that Dublin Bus does not operate on the Southern Cross Road in Bray, County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6082/11]
The free travel scheme permits free travel on most CIE public transport services, Luas and a range of services offered by over 90 private operators in various parts of the country at an annual cost to the exchequer of some €74 million in 2010. As outlined in The National Recovery Plan 2011-2014, funding for the free travel scheme is now frozen at 2010 levels of expenditure for the duration of the plan. In implementing this measure, my priority is to ensure that the beneficiaries of the scheme, namely the elderly and disabled, are not adversely impacted in this tighter funding situation. In the circumstances, my Department is not currently in a position to consider applications for increased payments under the scheme.
82 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection her policy in relation to renewing extensions for permission to work or train (exemption) under the conditions of illness benefit; if she is supportive of persons obtaining this exemption where the work can be of benefit to the person; if she supports persons in these cases obtaining an initial renewal or a second renewal; if the decisions are based on current medical documentation and are these documents reviewed by a doctor in each case; the appeals mechanism that applies in respect of these exemptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6083/11]
Illness Benefit is a short-term income support payment made to insured people who are unable to work due to illness or incapacity and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) conditions. It is a requirement of the scheme that a person must be incapable of work. However, for rehabilitative or occupational therapy purposes, customers, who have been in receipt of illness benefit for at least six months, may be granted permission to work part-time (not more than 20 hours per week) or to participate in a community employment (C.E.) scheme or FÁS training course. This permission is known as an exemption, the aim of which is to enable a person to return to the workplace on a full-time basis.
Applications for exemptions are considered by one of the Department's Medical Assessors (doctors) who considers the nature of the particular illness or incapacity, the treatment regime and prognosis. They assess the nature of the proposed employment or training and consider whether or not the proposed work or training is appropriate in light of the person's incapacity and how, in the context of rehabilitation/occupational therapy, it would progress a return to full-time work.
Approval for an exemption is granted for a specified period, depending on the circumstances of the case. If the employment or training is to continue beyond the period of the initial approval the person's continuing suitability for an exemption is reviewed. An exemption ceases if a point is reached at which it is considered by the Medical Assessor that the rehabilitative/occupational therapy benefits of the work or training have been exhausted. The stage at which this point is reached will depend on the circumstances of the case.
As the exemption process is administrative in nature decisions on new applications or further extensions of an exemption cannot be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. However, if a customer is dissatisfied with the decision they can request that their case be referred to the Department's Chief Medical Advisor or Deputy Chief Medical Advisor for review. Customers are further advised that they can provide any additional medical or other documentation in support of their case.
83 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in CountyLongford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6087/11]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 28 January 2011. The case is currently awaiting investigation and on completion a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
84 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a supplementary welfare allowance application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick. [6097/11]
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 HSE have advised that the family in question were refused assistance under the exceptional needs payments scheme on the 17th December 2010 and advised of their right to appeal.
85 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not been paid their rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6098/11]
The Health Service Executive has advised that payment of rent supplement ceased as the person concerned moved accommodation in August 2010. If the person concerned wishes to make a new application for rent supplement then she should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre.
86 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent supplement has been reduced in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6101/11]
The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned is in receipt of rent supplement of €350.70 which is her full entitlement based on her income from one-parent family payment and maintenance.
87 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if the appeal process will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6122/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 January 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 22 February 2011 and the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer in due course, who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
88 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who wishes to apply for jobseeker’s allowance has been advised that they must apply for lone parent allowance, when the fact is that this person wishes to remain within the work force and is available for work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6130/11]
The person concerned was paid jobseeker's benefit with effect from 12 August 2010. During a review of her claim, she indicated that as she has a young child, she is available for part-time work only. In order to qualify for jobseeker's benefit, a person must, in addition to a number of other qualifying conditions, be available for and actively seeking full-time work. Her claim was disallowed with effect from 06 January 2011 and she was advised that she may have an entitlement to a one parent family payment. An appeal against the disallowance of jobseeker's benefit was made on 27 January 2011. To date, a one parent family payment application has not been made.
89 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of reports of alleged social welfare fraud received by her each month since January 2010; the procedures for investigation of such reports; the number of reports of alleged fraud which were investigated; the number of claims which were found to be fraudulent by her and the number of claims which were suspended as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6158/11]
The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department. The Department processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and it makes payments to over one million people every week. The vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them.
The Department's Control Policy aims to minimise fraud and abuse of the social welfare system. As part of this policy, Central Control Section accepts reports of possible fraud offered by members of the public in relation to the Department's schemes. All reports are followed up and are dealt with in confidence. Reports can be made as follows and details of each are given in the table below:
By email: www.welfare.ie
By phone: (01) 704 3000, ask for Central Control Section or (071) 9672648 or Locall: 1890 927999.
By Post: Central Control Division, DSP, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
|
Reports made in |
2010 |
2011 (Jan-Feb) |
|
Phone |
4,253 |
599 |
|
|
7,384 |
1,437 |
|
Letter |
1,011 |
95 |
|
Total |
12,648 |
2,131 |
Note: Reports are also made directly to scheme sections and to Social Welfare Local Offices, which are not included here.
In 2010, a total of 9,758 cases of suspected fraud were sent by Central Control Section to the relevant area for examination. To end of February 2011, a total of 1,683 reports have been sent. It was not possible to pursue 2,890 of the anonymous reports received in 2010 due to insufficient information provided or where no claim was in payment. In other instances information reported would not impact on entitlement. For the first 2 months of 2011, it was not possible to follow up on 448 such reports. The number of anonymous reports received by Central Control Section from members of the public has increased in recent years as set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Anonymous Reports |
|
2005 |
621 |
|
2006 |
579 |
|
2007 |
604 |
|
2008 |
1,044 |
|
2009 |
6,429 |
|
2010 |
12,648 |
|
End February 2011 |
2,131 |
|
Month |
Total |
|
Jan 2010 |
846 |
|
Feb 2010 |
1,086 |
|
Mar 2010 |
796 |
|
Apr 2010 |
853 |
|
May 2010 |
816 |
|
Jun 2010 |
721 |
|
Jul 2010 |
931 |
|
Aug 2010 |
1,217 |
|
Sep 2010 |
1,377 |
|
Oct 2010 |
1,276 |
|
Nov 2010 |
1,657 |
|
Dec 2010 |
1,072 |
|
Total: |
12,648 |
|
Jan 2011 |
1,021 |
|
Feb 2011 |
1,110 |
|
Total: |
2,131 |
All anonymous or confidential reports are examined and where relevant, are referred to scheme owners and/or to the Department's inspectors for follow-up action. A payment is not suspended or stopped solely on the basis of an anonymous report. The anonymous report, however, may be a "trigger" for of a review of a customer's entitlement. A social welfare inspector may then deem it appropriate to carry out a full review of the circumstances and means of the customer in order to determine ongoing entitlement to the relevant payment. The inspector will then submit a report to the department's deciding officer for decision regarding ongoing entitlement to the social welfare payment.
Anonymous reports are not available to the deciding officers when making their decisions on cases. Their decision will be based on the full facts and circumstances of the case, including the report of the review by the inspector. Therefore, statistics on the outcome of the anonymous report was not available.
90 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has examined the possibility of making changes to the jobseeker’s allowance payment to allow persons receiving this payment, in particular those who were previously self-employed, to sign-off temporarily to avail of very short periods of paid self-employment and sign on again when the work was concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6159/11]
Recipients of jobseeker's benefit who engage in self-employment are obliged to notify my Department of each day of self-employment. Where the number of days worked in a given week of unemployment is less than four (based on a six day week excluding Sundays), the level of entitlement is reduced by one sixth of the maximum weekly rate applicable to that person for each day of employment or self-employment.
In the case of jobseeker's allowance, recipients similarly are obliged to notify my Department where they take up self-employment. Jobseeker's allowance is a means tested payment and income from self-employment (less expenses necessarily incurred) is assessed on a yearly basis. The yearly means from such self-employment is divided by fifty two and deducted from the maximum weekly rate applicable to that person. It should be noted that the person may continue to claim jobseeker's allowance for a full week even when self-employed provided they continue to satisfy the other conditions for receipt of jobseeker's allowance including being available for full time employment and genuinely seeking such employment.
The current arrangements in relation to the assessment of self-employment for jobseeker's allowance are long-standing and are designed to reflect the fact that the nature of self-employment may be seasonal or sporadic and that income may vary significantly from week to week. There are no plans, at the moment, to alter the current arrangements.
91 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding contracts and other arrangements for oil imports to this country from Libya, in view of the crisis there and Ireland’s dependence on imported Libyan oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5849/11]
The oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is free entry to the market. International Energy Agency statistics show that Ireland obtained 23.3% of its crude oil supply from Libya in 2010, representing 8.78% of overall oil imports to this country in the year in question. The oil was sourced on the commercial market and I would emphasise that Ireland does not have a strategic dependence on oil from Libya.
My Department is monitoring the evolving situation in the oil market in light of developments in North Africa and the Middle East and is maintaining contact with the Irish oil industry. Current oil industry stock levels and commercial market supply arrangements are meeting ongoing demands and there are no concerns about security of supply at this time.
My Department is also maintaining close liaison with the European Commission and the International Energy Agency (IEA), of which Ireland is a founding member, on oil market developments. The IEA's latest advice is that in the current global situation supplies remain readily available via normal market mechanisms, and the IEA is in close contact with OPEC and non-OPEC producers. In the event of a major supply disruption, the IEA has confirmed that it stands ready, as always, to make oil available to the market to take action to maintain energy security of supply. Ireland maintains its national strategic oil reserves fully in accordance with IEA and EU 90 day obligations.
92 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of households disconnected by Airtricity in the first two months of this year. [6096/11]
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) collects and periodically issues information on the global number of disconnections by all energy supply companies based on data obtained from ESB networks and Bord Gáis networks, in relation to electricity and gas respectively. The total number of domestic disconnections completed by ESB networks on behalf of all supply companies for non-payment of electricity account was 804 in January 2011 and 753 in February 2011.
I am advised that CER has recently commenced collecting disconnection data directly from electricity and gas suppliers. Publication of this data is a matter for the CER. My Department has no information on specific levels of disconnection on behalf of individual supply companies.
The increase in disconnections in the past 12 months is an issue of considerable concern for the Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), voluntary organisations and energy suppliers. CER works to ensure that electricity and gas disconnections because of genuine inability to pay are minimised and only occurs as a very last resort after numerous steps have been taken by a supplier to try to prevent this happening. CER issued updated guidelines for the disconnections code of practice in November 2010.
93 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding polling station employees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/11]
The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law.
Section 31 of the Electoral Act 1992 sets out the general duty of returning officers including ascertaining and declaring the results of an election while section 95 of the Act contains the legislative provisions relating to the appointment of presiding officers and poll clerks. Returning officers are independent in the performance of their duties. Accordingly, my Department does not have any information regarding the polling staff employed in the recent Dáil election in respect of the Dublin North East or any constituency.
To assist returning officers, my Department issues guidance to them in advance of each election. The guidance emphasises that the smooth conduct of polls is dependant on maintaining a cadre of sufficiently skilled and experienced people. Having regard to that overall objective, returning officers are advised to employ competent and efficient persons as polling staff and asked to give consideration, where possible, to employing suitable persons who are unemployed.
94 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the process that will be used to implement the introduction of the new water taxes; the estimated cost of same nationally; if it will be on an individual metered basis; the way the installation of meters will be managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6091/11]
95 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there will be a waiver system in place for persons on low incomes and social welfare on the introduction of the new water tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6092/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
The programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a fair funding model to deliver reliable water services. The programme also proposes the establishment of a new State-owned water utility company and the installation of water meters in individual households and introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently developing a strategy for the procurement and installation of water meters. The Government will consider the implications of water charges for low income households in the context of providing the free allowance. I will be making further details available, including the cost of the metering programme, in due course.
96 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to address concerns raised regarding the rights of tenants to purchase their own homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6113/11]
Under the terms of the Incremental Purchase scheme introduced in June 2010, new houses provided by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies and designated under the scheme may be purchased by their tenants. As regards the sale to tenants of existing houses provided by approved bodies, my Department is currently examining, in consultation with the relevant bodies, the future funding and governance arrangements for the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. The need for any policy and legislative changes, including changes to facilitate the sale to tenants of houses provided by approved housing bodies, will be considered in the light of the outcome of this examination.
97 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to bring forward legislation to amend the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to deal with deficiencies in the original Act which have become apparent over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6116/11]
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides the main legislative framework for the private rented sector and, in particular, for the operation of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 with a specific emphasis on 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. The outcomes of the review were announced by my predecessor as Minister of State and, in April 2010, the Government approved the preparation of the Heads of a Bill to deliver on the review's recommendations. I am at present evaluating those recommendations and associated legislative proposals and I intend to come to an early decision as to how best to proceed in this regard.
98 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons accommodated in each of the past 12 months in a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the reason a decision has been taken to close down the homeless centre; where the homeless users will now be housed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6133/11]
My Department does not hold the information requested in relation to the numbers accommodated on a monthly basis at the centre in question. Statutory responsibility for addressing the accommodation needs in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and decisions relating to particular services funded by them are matters for the relevant housing authorities in the first instance. My Department has put in place the policy, legislation and funding to underpin this role at local level.
The homeless centre in question was reviewed by agreement with the Salvation Army, as part of the reconfiguration of all homeless services in Dublin. The closure of this facility was agreed as it is not fit for purpose and I understand that suitable alternative accommodation has been provided for those who were longer term residents at the centre. Homeless people who were accommodated at the centre on a nightly emergency basis, through the Dublin night bus service, will continue to be provided with alternative emergency accommodation.
The homeless services reconfiguration process is essential in order to move away from an outdated emergency hostel-based approach, where people have remained for long periods, damaging their self esteem and reducing their prospects of progressing to full independent living. I am determined to tackle homelessness in a more planned and strategic way by adopting a housing first approach and providing long term solutions rather than just managing homelessness. This model of service delivery means a reduction in the amount of temporary accommodation and a move to suitable housing tenancies rather than meeting long term needs through homeless accommodation centres.
99 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress made on the establishment of a committee to monitor the progress of the victims of the Stardust fire disaster and to ensure that counselling and medical treatment where necessary and appropriate are afforded to the survivors and the bereaved at the expense of the State as recommended by the Coffey report on the matter. [6106/11]
Following the recommendation made by Mr. Paul Coffey, SC in this regard, consultation took place with the Victims Committee's legal advisor with a view to identifying the level of demand for access to ongoing counselling and medical services. As this process failed to gather sufficient information to allow arrangements to be made, and so as not to interfere in the privacy of any of the survivors or bereaved, a public information notice was placed in newspapers asking those who wished to access such services through this channel to register their interest.
Arrangements to provide these services were put in place in February 2010, based on the response received. These arrangements involve a leading independent provider of counselling services and all personal details are being treated in the strictest confidence. Insofar as the monitoring of these arrangements is concerned, for the present this is being carried out by my Department in conjunction with the Department of An Taoiseach and with the expert advice of the Health Service Executive. This monitoring is restricted to the extent required to manage the provision of services.
100 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding a passport in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6055/11]
A valid 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 September 2008. The application is being processed in the normal way with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course. A letter issued to the person concerned on 9 November 2010 requesting further documentation. A copy of the letter was re-issued on 23 March 2011. Processing of the application will continue when the required documentation is received. As the person concerned is not an Irish citizen, she is not entitled to an Irish passport and there is no entitlement to citizenship under the naturalisation provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
101 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons arrested and/or prosecuted for begging-related offences in 2010 and to date in 2011; and the number moved on by gardaí for begging-related offences using the new powers in the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act. [6065/11]
The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011 was enacted on 2 February. The legislation was necessary as the High Court had found that the old law, dating from 1847, was unconstitutional. I am informed by the Garda authorities that since the enactment of the Act there have been 177 arrests under its provisions. The offence of causing or procuring a child to beg is contained in section 247 of the Children Act 2001. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 86 arrests in 2010 and seven arrests in 2011 in relation to offences under this provision. These figures are operational and liable to change and are valid to 27 March.
It is not possible to indicate the number of persons who have complied with a direction pursuant to section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, which gives the power to a member of An Garda Síochána to give directions, as there is no offence committed by a person who complies with a lawful direction to move on. Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics on the number of prosecutions directly to the Deputy.
102 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if Garda recruitment will resume for applicants who have successfully completed all stages of the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6084/11]
As the moratorium on Public Service Recruitment continues to apply to An Garda Síochána, no date has been fixed for future intakes into the Garda College or for the commencement of a recruitment competition. A decision on when recruitment will re-commence will take into account the rate of retirement in the Garda Síochána and Government targets for reductions in public service numbers.
Candidates who have been successful at stages one and two of the previous recruitment process have had their names forwarded by the Public Appointments service to the Commissioner. These candidates will be eligible, subject to successfully undergoing the medical examination, the physical competency test and character vetting, for any future intakes into the Garda College when recruitment resumes.
103 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reasons for the delay in processing an application for a residence card and Irish passport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if it is his intention to grant residency to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6086/11]
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 February 2011. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The person concerned did not fulfil all of the statutory conditions, consequently, the Citizenship Division of my Department have deemed the application ineligible. The person in question was informed of this decision in a letter issued to him on 21 February, 2011.
It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
104 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding a transfer in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6088/11]
I am informed by management of An Garda Síochána that the transfer application to which the Deputy refers is one of a large number of similar applications for assignment to locations within County Cork. It is Garda policy that all transfer applications are kept under review and are considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
105 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will forward the report of the independent examination by a person (details supplied) submitted by the Stardust victims committee for a reopened inquiry into the Stardust fire disaster, which overturned the probable arson theory of the Stardust tribunal, to the Director of Public Prosecutions. [6105/11]
I can inform that Deputy that the independent examination in question made no reference to the previous directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions in this regard and did not recommend that any matters be brought to his attention. Accordingly, I do no not propose to refer the report to his office.
106 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will report on Garda Operation Kelso; the amount of drugs seized to date; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the number of gardaí involved; if this operation is still ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6110/11]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that Operation "Kelso" was undertaken by personnel from the Garda National Drugs Unit in Limerick City between August 2010 and February 2011. The operation targeted on-street drug dealing.
During the operation approximately 40 "street-deals" of drugs, principally heroin, were purchased. The operation resulted in an arrest operation in February 2011 during which 36 persons were arrested, with further arrests anticipated. The cases of persons arrested on foot of this operation for offences contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 (possession of controlled drugs for unlawful sale or supply) are currently before the courts, awaiting law officer direction or remain under investigation at this time. Every effort is made by local Garda management in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs Unit to ensure that test-purchases under this initiative are conducted as part of routine, rostered, policing duties.
An Garda Síochána is committed to tackling the supply of drugs at all levels in keeping with the National Drugs Strategy. The Garda National Drugs Unit works together with local Garda Drugs Units to ensure a co-ordinated and effective approach to protecting our communities from the harm and pain caused by drug use.
107 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will report on Garda Operation Glint; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the number of gardaí involved to date; if the operation is still active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6111/11]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that Operation "Glint" was brought into effect from 24 January 2011 under the direction and control of the Assistant Commissioner in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). The principal aim of the operation is to disrupt the activities of those involved in ATM fraud, particularly persons and organised groups utilising various skimming technologies at ATM machines. The operation remains ongoing.
The D/Superintendent DMR South Central has overall regional responsibility for the management of this initiative. Support is provided by the District Detective Inspectors and Detective Branch personnel in each of the Garda Districts in the DMR, together with liaison provided by personnel at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. Detective Branch Personnel are particularly tasked with preventing/detecting this type of crime, while at the same time drawing the attention of all members of the public and users of ATM machines to the deployment of skimming equipment at ATMs city wide.
Every effort is being made by local Garda management to reduce this type of criminality through high visibility uniform patrols and plain-clothes surveillance and patrols which are performed as part of routine, rostered, policing duties. To date 11 persons have been arrested and charged under this operation with fraud related offences. All such persons are currently before the courts.
108 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding immigration status in respect of a person (details supplied) and if he will confirm whether he is entitled to avail of accommodation in a RIA centre. [6126/11]
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 31 March 2006, 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned at that time.
It would appear that the person concerned left the State around that time given that, on 19 April 2006, a formal "take back" request was received in respect of him from the United Kingdom's immigration authorities, in accordance with the provisions of the Dublin II Regulations. This request was made because the person concerned was in the UK without permission at that time. This request was accepted by Ireland and the person concerned was transferred from the UK to Ireland on 8 February 2007.
On 3 July 2007, the person concerned applied, in writing, to return voluntarily to his country of origin. The person concerned was requested by letter dated 9 July 2007 to attend an appointment with the Voluntary Returns Unit of my Department to make the practical arrangements for his voluntary return. However, the person concerned did not make contact with the Voluntary Returns Unit and, as a result, his request to return voluntarily to his country of origin was closed on 7 September 2007.
The person concerned clearly left the State again given that, on 19 March 2009, a further "take back" request was received from the UK immigration authorities in respect of him, again in accordance with the provisions of the Dublin II Regulations. This request was made because the person concerned was again in the UK without permission. This request was accepted by Ireland and the person concerned was transferred from the UK to Ireland on 2 October 2009.
By letter dated 21 January 2010, the person concerned was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The person concerned was availing of direct provision accommodation at An Poc Fada Accommodation Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork up to 4 March, 2011, at which point he chose to leave that accommodation to stay with friends. Should the person concerned wish to return to RIA accommodation, he should apply in writing to the RIA and an offer will issue to him, at his last notified address, in due course.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
109 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6135/11]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in March 2011. On examination of the application submitted, it was determined that the application be returned in its entirety to the person concerned for further attention on 4 March, 2011. In order to be fair to all applicants, only valid applications can be considered.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
110 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the major policy documents (details supplied) developed by the previous Government which will be pursued by the current Government. [5917/11]
As set out in the 2011-2016 Programme for Government, the current Government fully supports the recommendations of Food Harvest 2020 and my Department is actively engaged in pursuing their implementation.
111 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be called for an arbitration hearing in respect of a 2009 single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6077/11]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 5th May 2009. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and cross compliance inspection. During the course of the ground inspection, 40.17ha of the 49.83ha declared on the applicant's application form was deemed eligible for payment. As there was an over declaration of greater than 20% no payment was made under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme for the year in question.
The person named was informed of these findings on the 27th October 2009 and of his right to seek a review of this decision within 21 days and of his right to appeal the outcome of any such review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office. At review stage it was decided by the District Inspector to uphold the penalty decision. At present the file is with the Independent Agriculture Appeals Unit who will be arranging a hearing with the person named shortly.
112 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6128/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 on 1st March 2009 and received their Year 1 payment in January 2010. An adjusted plan was received from the above named in March 2011 and this is being processed at the moment.
113 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when REP scheme payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6165/11]
The person named commenced REPS 3 on 1st November 2006 and has received full payment for the first four years of the plan. Following an on-farm inspection a penalty has been applied to the year 5 payment. The person named has appealed this penalty and the file is currently being reviewed. As soon as this review is completed, my officials will be in contact with the person named.
114 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding funding through Pobal. [6138/11]
Pobal (formerly ADM Ltd) was established by Government in 1992, in agreement with the European Commission, to access funding for the purpose of fostering local development, promoting social inclusion, reconciliation and equality, and countering disadvantage through local and social economic development. While originally tasked to distribute EU funding, the size, scale and range of programmes delivered by the company on behalf of the State have increased significantly in the intervening years. It currently manages a range of programmes on behalf of a number of Departments and other bodies — details are listed in a table.
Pobal distributes funding approved for specific purposes to a range of community-based organisations and operators. In 2010, approximately €274m was distributed to beneficiaries through Pobal. This amount is expected to rise to €285m in 2011, an increase of 4% on the 2010 amount. Pobal provides a range of services associated with the management of these funds. These services include, inter alia:
Administration of application and assessment processes;
Management of contracting/re-contracting processes;
Financial control, audit and inspections of grants paid to beneficiaries;
Provision of advisory/support function for beneficiaries;
Collection of performance indicators and output data; and
Facilitation of training/networking functions/workshops.
While Pobal operates under the aegis of my Department, it is remunerated by the relevant Department/body in respect of the services it provides. Determination of the service provided — and the associated tasks and costs incurred by Pobal — are matters for the Department or body concerned. The cost of providing these services in 2010 was some €14.8m. While the level of funding for programmes managed by the company is expected to increase in 2011, the cost of administering this funding will decrease by 4% to €14.2m.
|
Department/Body |
Programme |
|
Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs |
Local and Community Development Programme |
|
RAPID |
|
|
Dormant Accounts Fund* |
|
|
Small Grants Scheme |
|
|
PEACE and Interreg Programmes** |
|
|
Equality for Women |
|
|
Traveller Interagency Fund |
|
|
European Integration Fund |
|
|
European Refugee Fund |
|
|
Department of Social Protection |
Community Services Programme |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
|
|
Rural Transport Programme |
|
|
Office for the Minister of Children |
National Childcare Investment Programme |
|
National Early Years Access Initiative |
|
|
Department of Transport |
Rural Transport Programme |
|
Department of Justice and Law Reform |
Community Based CCTV Scheme |
|
National Access Office/Higher Education Authority |
Millennium Partnership Fund |
*Pobal also administers measures under the Dormant Accounts Fund for a number of Government Departments
**Also delivered on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body.
115 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding available through dormant accounts and her plans for applications and distribution. [6139/11]
The Dormant Accounts Acts provide for an annual transfer by credit institutions and insurance undertakings of monies in accounts determined to be dormant into the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). Since its establishment in April 2003 to the end of February 2011, the transfers to the DAF have totalled some €589m, which includes interest earned of some €35m. Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to approximately €208m.
Allocations from the DAF — in accordance with Part 6 of the 2005 Act — are focussed on programmes or projects to assist:
1. the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged;
2. the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3. persons with a disability.
The value of the DAF at the end of February 2011, net of liabilities, was some €52.5m. This figure excludes €49.4m maintained in a Reserve Account to meet future reclaims by account holders and to cover expenses associated with the operation of the DAF.
The Deputy may be aware that, in the light, inter alia, of the reduced levels of funding available for disbursement from the DAF, proposals had been under consideration by the previous administration to dissolve the Dormant Accounts Board and to make appropriate arrangements for the transfer of its functions to my Department. I anticipate that this and related matters relating to future disbursements will be considered by Government in due course. Further details of projects to which funding has been allocated to date and a summary of the status of the DAF are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie/en/DormantAccounts.
116 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reaffirm his commitment to co-funding the radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin, Derry, and if he will proactively engage with the next Minister for Health in the Northern Executive after the impending elections to ensure that this vitally important initiative is delivered. [6281/11]
127 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has discussed with the Minister for Health in the Six Counties the decision to postpone the development of the radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry; if he will press for the reversal of this decision; if he has considered the implications for cancer care in this jurisdiction, particularly in the north west, if this decision goes ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6125/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 127 together.
The Government is committed to ensuring a high-quality radiotherapy service for the entire population of Ireland, including close collaboration with Northern Ireland, for services in the North West. I am happy to reaffirm the Government's commitment to this vital radiotherapy project at Altnagelvin, which will benefit cancer patients on both sides of the border, and I have written to Minister McGimpsey confirming our support, both practical and financial, in this regard.
The Irish Government will work in partnership with our Northern Ireland counterparts on the development of this new facility. It is estimated that Irish patients will comprise roughly one third of the number of patients who will attend the new centre for radiotherapy services and therefore our contribution will equate to approximately one third of the full cost of the radiotherapy facilities.
The proposed development at Altnagelvin is substantial in scale, with high capital costs and revenue costs, because of the highly specialist and complex nature of the services which will be provided there. I recognise that the matter is being brought forward through the usual business case process within the Northern Ireland Health Services and my Department will continue to provide all the information needed to help the planning process to continue. I look forward to continued collaboration on this and other projects of benefit to patients in both jurisdictions.
117 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children reported to have gone missing from State care in 2009 and in 2010; the number of these who went missing from foster homes, from special care units, from residential care or from other units and the number of these who are still reported missing. [6064/11]
Children are defined as missingif they are absent from their care placement and the foster carer or staff member does not know where they are. The time missing is not the only criterion used to determine whether a child is considered to be missing but is used in combination with other risk factors. From January 2010 to June 2010 a total of 196 children have gone missing from care as outlined below:
|
Residential Centres |
Foster Placements |
Other |
||||||||
|
HSE |
Private |
Voluntary |
HSE |
Private |
Relative Foster Care |
Hostel |
Supported Lodgings |
Aftercare |
Other |
|
|
Total Number of Children missing from care in 2010 |
91 |
40 |
12 |
32 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
The vast majority of children returned or were returned within a few hours or days of initially going missing. 81% returned within 24 hours, 92% were located or returned within 72 hours and 94% returned within 4 days of original report of absence. The majority of incidences of absence relate to the 14 to 17 year age group. They may have stayed with friends, or have returned to the home of a sibling or other family member. The young people in the highest risk of going missing are those who are recently received into care or into a new placement. In both situations, the young person may be unsettled, may not have yet built trusting relationships with their carer, and their carer may not be familiar with family and associates of the young person. As of the 6th August 2010 four of the children identified in the table above were still reported missing.
The HSE have advised that, due to difficulties with data collection and inconsistency of information provided, the information in relation to children missing from care is not available for 2009 or the latter half of 2010. I have asked the HSE to follow up on the status of the four children mentioned in the paragraph above since 6th August 2010.
The HSE has assured me that prior to the Deputy's question, the HSE has with effect from January 2011, introduced a standardised risk assessment tool to ensure comprehensive data collection on children reported missing from care. A summary of the first six months of 2011 will be provided to HIQA in July. The HSE has also agreed a new protocol with An Garda Síochána which provides an improved set of procedures and definitions to enable effective joint action. This protocol is currently awaiting clearance from Garda authorities. As soon as all new protocols are in place information about missing children will be collected on a weekly basis. The HSE takes the case of every missing child seriously, particularly given the vulnerability of many and prompt action is always taken to locate missing children.
118 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that an appointment is expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [6089/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
119 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 is facilitated and if he will make an exception in this case due to the severe medical problems. [6090/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
120 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a long-term place. [6100/11]
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.
121 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans for developing St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athlone; the new services intended for this facility; when the primary care centre will be established in Athlone; the site at which this centre will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6103/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
122 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6118/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
123 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children when an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6120/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
124 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will seek to have urgently required surgery expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6121/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
125 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will address serious concerns that the Health Service Executive may be intending to cease 24 hour emergency department cover at James Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; if he will rule out such a change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6123/11]
My Department has asked the HSE to identify any situations where there is any question of withdrawing services from individual acute hospitals in the coming months and to arrange to brief me as Minister on the circumstances and implications in each case. Pending such briefing, I have asked the Executive not to withdraw or transfer any acute services. If there is any case where the HSE considers that a change in service arrangements is required as a matter of urgency, I require the Executive to inform me of the reasons for this and the steps being taken.
126 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he will take in view of the recent outbreak of the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, KPC, bug at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick; if measures will be taken to address overcrowding in our acute public hospitals, including the reopening of closed beds and wards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6124/11]
Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) continue to be a challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Ireland is not unique in this regard and tackling HCAIs is a priority for the Government and the HSE. The recent occurrence of the Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick is of concern as CRE are highly resistant to almost all antibiotics. KPC referred to by the Deputy is one type of CRE. CRE has been identified in eight patients in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital. Two other cases have been reported in a hospital in Dublin. One involves a patient who had been an inpatient in Limerick. No new cases have been detected since mid-March.
To date travel to countries where CRE has been reported such as India or Greece was considered the main risk factor for their acquisition. The recent occurrence of CRE here is therefore significant. The expert guidance in the interim National SARI Guidelines, issued in January 2011 has informed the HSE's response to the CRE occurrence. The European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has also provided international expert advice in relation to this. The prevention of CRE includes laboratory detection, enhanced surveillance, adherence to standard precautions, appropriate antimicrobial stewardship and the institution of strict patient isolation and transmission-based precautions when CRE is isolated.
A range of measures have been put in place in the Mid West Regional Hospital in line with this guidance including an improved surveillance strategy for detecting CRE and the enhancement of hospital cleanliness through a programme of deep cleansing of affected areas and ensuring that hand hygiene requirements are strictly adhered to. Visiting restrictions are also in place at the hospital. Guidance has also been issued to the HSE Regional Directors of Operations for circulation to all acute hospitals and to consultant microbiologists to ensure that appropriate measures to prevent CRE are put in place. It is also planned to undertake an assessment of the prevalence of CRE in all regions. I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of Health Care Associated Infections such as CRE and to treat them promptly when they occur.
The Deputy also raises the issue of acute bed utilisation particularly bed closures. Beds in acute hospitals may be closed for a number of reasons including infection control, refurbishment or cost containment. While the management of beds at hospital level is an operational matter, access to appropriate care for patients is not simply about the number of beds in the hospital system. It is about the efficient use of resources to provide quality care and optimum outcomes for patients. Increasing the proportion of work that hospitals do on a day basis, and appropriate reductions in length of stay in the case of inpatients are important in this context.
I am being briefed by my Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the organisation of acute services in each region and on the important clinical programmes being developed by the HSE. These inter-related programmes aim to improve service quality, effectiveness and patient access and to ensure that patient care is provided in the service setting most appropriate to individuals' needs. I will consider the matter of bed utilisation further in this context.
128 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the mechanism available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in regard to their obtaining a necessary facility to meet their health needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6134/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
129 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding treatment abroad in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6144/11]
Under the provisions of Regulation (EC) 1408/71, persons who are covered by the public healthcare system of one member state are entitled, under certain circumstances, to receive healthcare in the public system of another member state. Article 22(1)(c) of the Regulation governs the referral of patients for public health services to another member state (E112 arrangements). Under this provision, the HSE may, where certain criteria are met, authorise a person to go to another member state for treatment in the public health system there. In such cases, a Form E112 is issued by the HSE, which involves a commitment by the Executive to pay for the cost of treatment. It is a matter for the HSE to assess each application for an E112 Form and determine whether authorisation for treatment abroad should be granted. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
130 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding orthodontic services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6164/11]
Under the 2011-2014 Employment Control Framework for the Health Sector, orthodontic posts may be filled on exceptional grounds at the discretion of the HSE to maintain essential services and to meet priority service change or reconfiguration requirements, provided that the target reduction in numbers is being met. HSE statistics show that the number of orthodontists has increased from 38.78 whole time equivalents in March, 2009 to 40.55 whole time equivalents at the end of February, 2011. This represents an increase of 4.56%.
