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Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012

Written Answers Nos. 103-110

Redundancy Payments

Questions (103)

Heather Humphreys

Question:

103. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan may expect to receive her redundancy payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40951/12]

View answer

Written answers

An application for a redundancy lump sum payment in respect of the person concerned was received on 27 June 2012. The claim has recently been awarded and the payment will shortly be issued to the person’s bank account.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (104)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

104. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the current delays (details supplied) in carer's allowance applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41025/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. Currently the average time taken to award a carer’s allowance application is 28 weeks. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation.

Carer’s allowance section has recently completed a major service delivery modernisation project to improve the efficiency with which it processes applications from clients for carer’s allowance. The project involved the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for Carer’s Allowance was completed in June 2012.

Following the completion of the modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement (BPI) project commenced for the carer’s allowance scheme. This project focused on optimising output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two streams. One concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processes these without delay and the other on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear and targeted plan for its elimination. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday 3 September and will be closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its objectives. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. The allocation of available resources to this task continues to be monitored.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (105)

Jack Wall

Question:

105. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41026/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 10th July 2012. 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. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an 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.

National Internship Scheme Data

Questions (106)

Joe Higgins

Question:

106. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have participated in the jobbridge scheme; the age bands of the participants; the breakdown of placements by company size; the breakdown of participants by type of company, private or public and so on; the percentage of those who started a jobbridge placement that have gained employment; the percentage of those who finished a jobbridge placement that have gained employment; the percentage of these jobs that are with the company where they did their internship; if monitoring 5% of all internships is enough to avoid abuse of the scheme; the number of full time dedicated monitors that are on the scheme; the number of monitoring visits that have been conducted; the number of internships that have been ended by jobbridge monitors due to abuse of the scheme by the host or not meeting the standard agreement; if any organisations have been ruled ineligible for the scheme; the number of applications to jobbridge that have been rejected because the host organisation had recently advertised the position as a paid job; the companies which have advertised or hired the most interns; the most common reasons cited by interns who leave the programme early; the amount jobbridge cost the State including and excluding the regular welfare payments to participants; if host organisations have been successful in returning the monthly compliance information; the percentage that have not; the penalty to the host organisation for failing to do so; and if their failure has an effect on the payment to the intern. [41030/12]

View answer

Written answers

The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress since it came into operation on the 1st July 2011. 10,326 internships have commenced to date with 4,813 participants currently on an internship as at 21th September 2012 and over 2,200 opportunities presently advertised on www.jobbridge.ie. For your convenience please see the following tables for a breakdown of current participants by age, company size and sector:

Age Profile of Participants

Age Band

Grand Total

%

15-19

187

2%

20-24

2692

26%

25-34

4736

46%

35-44

1706

16%

45-54

791

8%

55+

214

2%

Grand Total

10,326

100%

Data: as at 21/09/2012

Placements by Company Size

Employees

Grand Total

%

0 - 49

5962

58%

50 - 249

1716

17%

250 -

2413

23%

Undefined

235

2%

Grand Total

10,326

100%

Data: as at 21/09/2012

Placements by Company Sector

No. Employees

Grand Total

%

Private

6965

67%

Public

2154

21%

Community/Voluntary

888

9%

Unspecified

319

3%

Grand Total

10,326

100%

Data: as at 21/09/2012

Our records indicate that 37% of the 5,592 individuals who have finished their JobBridge internship placement have immediately progressed into employment, 1,089 of whom with their Host Organisation and 952 with another organisation. These progression rates compare favourably with European averages in this area. However, it is important to note that this does not take into account interns who may have secured employment in the subsequent weeks or months after completing their internship.

As part of the on-going process of development and review for the JobBridge Scheme, it is intended that monitoring visits will be conducted across a range of operational Internships. To that end we have completed the process of training in excess of 140 regional employment services staff to undertake these monitoring visits as part of their broader range of duties.

This activity is a priority in relation to assessing the quality of the internships being undertaken; the experience and skills being gained and that the Internship is operating in accordance with the Standard Agreement. Furthermore, this process facilitates an opportunity for both the Intern and Host Organisation to reflect on the internship to-date; provide feedback on the internship and JobBridge in general; raise any concerns and provide a forum for assistance and support to both parties by the JobBridge team. I am delighted to advise that 293 of the 305 monitoring visits conducted to date have been satisfactory in nature. In short, 96% of monitoring visits conducted to-date were of a satisfactory nature. Remedial action has been taken in cases where the visit was deemed not to be of a satisfactory nature.

In the context of these and other questions raised by the Deputy, I wish to advise that I have commissioned an independent evaluation of the Scheme. Indecon International Economic Consultants have been engaged to undertake this work.

The Department requires this Project to be undertaken to assess the design, delivery and impact of the JobBridge scheme on the unemployed. It should also assist the Department in making further policy decisions on the benefit of work placement programmes in the overall context of the Government’s activation policy which is to engage with every unemployed individual to provide them with a pathway to employment and to prevent and reduce long term unemployment.

The evaluation should include the following key outcomes:

- Socio economic profile of the participants on the scheme;

- Information on the host organisations that have used the scheme including, size, sector and reason for participating;

- Details of the progression of those on the scheme into education, training or job placement. In the case of job placement this should detail if placement is with the same company, in the same sector and the sustainability of that placement;

- Details of the nature of the work experience of the participants and a measurement of the relevance of that experience to the labour market and to progression into employment;

- An assessment of the displacement effect of the scheme;

- An assessment of the level of deadweight in the scheme;

- Information on the satisfaction of participants with their experience of the scheme;

- Information on the satisfaction of host organisations with their experience of the scheme;

- An assessment of the process and procedures used by the Department in running the scheme;

- Recommendations on how the scheme might be improved.

It is anticipated that this report will be available at year end 2012 and full details of this report will be made publicly available.

Standard Authentication Framework Environment

Questions (107)

Joe Higgins

Question:

107. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the number of forms of proof are needed to verify a person's address as a SAFE registration appointment. [41031/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Social Protection has developed, in conjunction with a number of other Government Departments, a rules based standard for establishing and authenticating an individual’s identity for the purposes of access to public services. This programme of work, which is known as the Standard Authentication Framework Environment or SAFE for short, also provided for the introduction of a Public Services Card (PSC) to enable individuals to gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible. The PSC is designed to replace current insecure cards such as the Social Services Card and the Free Travel Pass.

A PSC is currently issued following a “face-to-face” registration process which involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature, the verification of identity and current address as well as the capture of additional data such as answers to security questions to be used in ensuring the future integrity of customers’ data.

Letters which are issuing from the Department to a number of customers in relation to registration for their PSC ask them to bring proof of identity and evidence of current address with them.

The invite letter lists a number of alternative documents that provide acceptable evidence of address including a utility bill in the person’s own name, property lease or tenancy agreement or receipt for payment of the Household Charge. Only one piece of evidence of address per customer is required. The Department has recently clarified that receipt for payment of the Household Charge is not a pre-condition to secure a Social Welfare payment.

National Deer Cull

Questions (108)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

108. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his proposals regarding a national deer cull (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40756/12]

View answer

Written answers

I have no statutory function in relation to proposals for a national deer cull. However, in accordance with the Wildlife Acts, the annual open season when deer can be legally shot under licence operates from 1 September to 28 February, depending on the species and gender of deer. In addition, landowners may apply to my Department for a licence under the Wildlife Acts to cull deer when this is necessary outside the annual open seasons in instances where damage is being caused to habitats or where levels of deer may have negative ecological consequences.

I am also aware that my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, recently launched a consultation paper entitled Deer Management Policy Vision, which involves the development of a strategy for the sustainable management of Ireland's wild deer population. I will consider any conclusions of that review which are relevant to my Department at the appropriate time.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Questions (109)

Brendan Smith

Question:

109. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40775/12]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 1977, provides, inter alia, for the delegation of powers and duties from Ministers to Ministers of State by way of a Government Order. Such Orders are normally made where a Minister of State is expected to carry out statutory functions on behalf of a Minister. It should be noted that every power or duty delegated continues to be vested in the Minister of the Government concurrently with the Minister of State and may be exercised or performed by either. Against this background, a Delegation of Functions Order entitled Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 was agreed by Government and signed by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. on 26 July 2011 which provides for the delegation of functions relating to the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Islands by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to the Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs. The Order was prepared in accordance with the guidance provided by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Deputy can access the full text of the Order through the following link:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2011/en/si/0427.html

Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications

Questions (110)

Michael Conaghan

Question:

110. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of people being allocated grants under the better energy homes schemes in 2012; and if he will provide a breakdown of these data by county, and by postcode within the Dublin area. [40741/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme, which includes the Better Energy Homes Scheme. Since the start of 2012 to the end of August, the SEAI has disbursed €23.19 million in grants and supported the installation of 57,301 measures in 20,667 homes under the Programme. The table provides a breakdown of the allocation of grants by county and by postcode within the Dublin area.

ACTION FROM START OF PROGRAMME IN 2009 TO END AUGUST 2012

BETTER ENERGY GRANTS

County Number (completed) Number of Measures installed home

-

2009 to 2011

Year to Date 2012

Scheme Total

2009 to 2011

Year to Date 2012

Scheme Total

Carlow

1,111

194

1,305

2,792

553

3,345

Cavan

2,409

368

2,777

6,239

1,069

7,308

Clare

6,501

822

7,323

16,868

2,351

19,219

Cork

14,738

3,401

18,139

37,554

9,686

47,240

Donegal

3,633

497

4,130

9,360

1,425

10,785

Galway

9,440

1,621

11,061

24,506

4,741

29,247

Kerry

6,407

841

7,248

16,713

2,416

19,129

Kildare

2,754

588

3,342

6,380

1,591

7,971

Kilkenny

2,637

363

3,000

6,646

1,030

7,676

Laois

1,667

300

1,967

4,403

867

5,270

Leitrim

636

144

780

1,566

405

1,971

Limerick

8,307

1,364

9,671

21,402

3,710

25,112

Longford

1,040

143

1,183

2,661

403

3,064

Louth

2,731

473

3,204

6,506

1,306

7,812

Mayo

3,344

758

4,102

8,717

2,154

10,871

Meath

2,898

524

3,422

6,798

1,393

8,191

Monaghan

2,132

341

2,473

5,763

967

6,730

Offaly

1,231

261

1,492

3,115

752

3,867

Roscommon

1,894

297

2,191

4,934

868

5,802

Sligo

1,423

273

1,696

3,655

791

4,446

Tipperary

5,305

923

6,228

13,961

2,552

16,513

Waterford

4,308

954

5,262

10,823

2,657

13,480

Westmeath

1,688

302

1,990

4,221

877

5,098

Wexford

4,730

634

5,364

12,077

1,838

13,915

Wicklow

1,835

390

2,225

4,095

1,016

5,111

Co Dublin

4,336

1,068

5,404

9,049

2,761

11,810

Dublin 1

442

367

809

1,274

1,058

2,332

Dublin 10

149

34

183

284

74

358

Dublin 11

575

162

737

1,175

410

1,585

Dublin 12

707

148

855

1,436

342

1,778

Dublin 13

606

138

744

1,164

356

1,520

Dublin 14

785

162

947

1,631

425

2,056

Dublin 15

959

210

1,169

1,996

510

2,506

Dublin 16

852

178

1,030

1,701

443

2,144

Dublin 17

150

49

199

334

133

467

Dublin 18

489

79

568

1,014

210

1,224

Dublin 2

40

69

109

89

152

241

Dublin 20

158

22

180

318

50

368

Dublin 22

291

98

389

560

232

792

Dublin 24

581

203

784

1,162

486

1,648

Dublin 3

506

119

625

1,029

293

1,322

Dublin 4

417

90

507

908

240

1,148

Dublin 5

907

190

1,097

1,829

461

2,290

Dublin 6

371

72

443

749

192

941

Dublin 6W

471

103

574

1,033

259

1,292

Dublin 7

589

139

728

1,173

326

1,499

Dublin 8

306

60

366

687

152

839

Dublin 9

785

131

916

1,601

318

1,919

Total

110,271

20,667

130,938

273,951

57,301

331,252

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