Written Answers Nos 596-615
596. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she could expedite a decision on same. [48680/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20th March 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. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 27th July 2012 and the case has been 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.
597. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will expedite on same. [48683/12]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 18th January 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who found that the caree in question was not medically eligible for carer’s allowance. A letter issued on 17th July 2012 refusing the allowance. The person in question subsequently submitted further medical evidence for review on the 5th August 2012. This medical evidence is awaiting medical assessment by a medical assessor. On completion of all the necessary investigations as part of this review, a decision will be made and the person in question will be contacted directly with the outcome.
598. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will guarantee that no cuts will be made to State Pension Contributory and noncontributory to prevent pensioners from the risk of poverty considering that the average pensioner is just above the poverty line with the current provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48687/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the State pension is a very valuable benefit and that the sustainability of the State pension system is even more essential in our current difficult fiscal climate.
In this context, is important to note the significant long term challenges facing the Irish pension system. There are currently six people of working age for every pensioner and this ratio is expected to decrease to approximately two to one by 2050. People aged 65 years and over will account for a greater proportion of the population while the proportion of working age is expected to decline. People are living longer with healthier lives, and while this is a welcome development, it does have obvious and significant implications in relation to the future costs of State pension provision. Therefore, the task of financing increasing pensions will fall to a diminishing share of the population.
In relation to the current adequacy of pensioner incomes, it should be noted that this group have the lowest consistent poverty rate and are least likely to be at risk of poverty due to the adequacy of the State pension, compared to the rest of the population. Between 2004 and 2010, consistent poverty for those aged over 65 decreased from 3.3% to 0.9%. The at risk of poverty rate for people in that age group fell from 27.1% to 9.6% over the same period.
In relation to budgetary measures, the revised estimates for my Department provide for expenditure in 2012 of nearly €6.26 billion on pensions or 30.4% of total expenditure. The Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012 – 2014 published by Government last December provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €540 million to be achieved in Budget 2013. Reducing overall expenditure in 2013 and beyond in line with these targets will be very challenging.
The Government will consider the appropriate level of expenditure on pensions in 2013 in the context of the forthcoming Budget. The outcome will be announced on Budget Day.
599. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will expedite the matter. [48695/12]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 6th July 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
600. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [48697/12]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 28th July 2012. The person concerned was refused carer's allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal. Additional medical evidence was received and forwarded to the Department’s medical assessor for consideration. However, this information did not alter the opinion of the medical assessor and the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted additional medical evidence in support of the appeal. This information has been forwarded to the medical assessor for further consideration. If the outcome remains unchanged a submission will be prepared and her file and papers will be forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.
601. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [48698/12]
View answerThis application was originally refused on medical grounds in December 2011. The decision was then appealed and the file was sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on January 16th 2012. Following consideration of all the available evidence, an appeals officer has made a determination in this case to disallow the appeal. Accordingly, the decision to refuse carer’s allowance stands.
A letter issued from the Social Welfare Appeals Office to the person in question on 18th October 2012 with all the relevant details.
602. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review her decision to refuse back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) on the basis that their proposed choice of accredited study os of a lower qualification then they already hold; her views on whether applicants should in a global labour market environment of work and career flexibility, have the option of pursuing studies that lead to an alternative career path.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48701/12]
View answerThe person concerned was refused Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) on the basis of not progressing in the level of education held by him. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 29th August 2012. Following a review of his circumstances on 1st September, the decision to disallow the claim has been upheld.
BTEA is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling those in receipt of certain social welfare payments to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held. A person wishing to pursue the BTEA scheme will have to satisfy a number of conditions such as being a certain age, in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the national framework of qualifications among others.
Progression in education is a condition which is not unique to BTEA, indeed State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one. This is necessary to ensure displacement does not occur, in that courses could be offered to students who are not progressing at the cost of students progressing from a lower education level. BTEA guidelines are, in the main, in line with the mechanisms in place for similar student supports administered by the Department of Education and Skills and require student progression from one qualification level to a higher one. Furthermore, the BTEA scheme is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system.
603. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the sectors of the public sector that are currently employed on a roster basis and if there are any plans to remove employees from the rostering system. [49077/12]
View answerThe only areas of my Department where staff attend on a roster basis are the Operations and Control sections of the Department’s IT Division. The roster arrangements are necessary to facilitate overnight processing of claims, generation of payments to the Department’s customers and ongoing maintenance of the Department’s various IT systems.
There are no plans to change the existing arrangements in respect of the areas in question.
604. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the exact number of public servants who are back in employment in the public service, who are on pensions and have accepted lump sums; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49089/12]
View answerOne member of staff in my Department, the Chief Medical Advisor, has been rehired on a temporary contract following retirement. Payment of his pension is abated pending the termination of his temporary contract.
In addition, the acting Deputy Chief Medial Advisor has been retained, on a temporary basis, beyond his normal retirement age. Payment of his pension is suspended pending the termination of his temporary retention.
The decision to re-employ the Chief Medical Advisor and to retain the acting Deputy Chief Medical Advisor was taken due to their specific skills and experience, the difficulty and long lead-in time for replacing such skills, and the critical importance of ensuring continuity and a high level of service to customers of the Department.
Following an open competition, the Pensions Board, which is under the aegis of my Department, employed, on temporary contracts, two people who were previously employed by An Garda Síochana and who are in receipt of Garda pensions. Abatement of pension does not apply in respect of retired members of An Garda Síochana who subsequently take up public sector employment.
605. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual saving to the Exchequer of shared services between Gaeltacht programme organisations which receive core funding from his Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge. [47264/12]
View answer606. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual saving to the Exchequer of shared offices between Gaeltacht programme organisations which receive core funding from the Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge. [47265/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 606 together.
The aim of my Department, given the fiscal constraints in operation at the moment, is to ensure value for money in the delivery of the various services provided by my Department, by Údarás na Gaeltachta and by Foras na Gaeilge. In the context of significantly reduced staff numbers and reduced budgets, there is a need for greater efficiency in the delivery of these services.
My officials are at present examining the respective roles of my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Gaeltacht. This is being undertaken as a result of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 which gives effect to a Government decision that Údarás na Gaeltachta will be responsible for the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 in the Gaeltacht. It is my intention that this will drive greater efficiency in service delivery in the Gaeltacht.
In addition, Foras na Gaeilge is undertaking a review of its 19 core funded bodies. It is envisaged that this review will result in a reconfiguration of the Irish language sector. Since Foras na Gaeilge is an agency of the North South Language Body, which is co-funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland, decisions with regard to this review are taken by the North South Ministerial Council.
607. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the names of each staff member within his Department that has been rehired since March 2011 and the cost involved in each case [47288/12]
View answer618. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the exact number of public servants who are back in employment in the public service, who are on pensions and have accepted lump sums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49081/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 618 together.
As I have previously advised the House, a retired schoolteacher works as a Special Adviser in my Department, at a salary, following abatement, of €38,216 per annum.
I am also advised that Údarás na Gaeltachta currently employs a retired solicitor on a ten month contract which is due to expire on 31st December 2012. The overall cost of this contract will be €39,438. It should be noted that the former CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta was also engaged as interim CEO of that body for a four month period which ended on 30th April 2012 at a cost of €20,916. I am advised that the abatement principle has also been applied in these cases.
608. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider engaging with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Department of Education and Skills as part of preparation for the Decade of Commemoration to assess if the history curricula at primary and secondary level reflects in a balanced way the events of the years 1912 to 1922; if he expects similar engagements by his UK and Northern Ireland counterpart in relation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47736/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that curriculum issues are matters within the statutory remit of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills
It is anticipated that the commemorative arrangements for the Decade of Centenaries will stimulate wide interest in the history of the period. The development of the official commemorative programme is supported by an Advisory Group of distinguished historians, chaired by Dr Maurice Manning. I understand that this group is engaged with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to curriculum development for Transition Year students, enhanced access to archives and records, and special initiatives to promote historical research. The opportunity for joint or complementary initiatives within the commemorative framework is constantly under review with Ministerial colleagues in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
609. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his public policy in relation to the identification, collection and storage of artifacts relating to the great famine; if the National Museum of Ireland has within its possession materials of this nature; if it can quantify the number of such artifacts that it holds; if it is in possession of a catalogue or inventory of significant famine related items held in county museums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47883/12]
View answerI am advised by the National Museum of Ireland that it collects material of national and regional importance where a connection with the Great Famine is verifiable. I understand that the Museum is in possession of a number of objects relating to the Famine that are categorised broadly into 12 collections. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that these are day-to-day operational matters for the Museum and, accordingly, if he so wishes, I will be happy to facilitate a briefing for him from the Acting Director.
I am advised that the Museum does not have a list or catalogue of Famine-related material in county museums.
610. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for the future development of the National Famine Memorial Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47884/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, as Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring on behalf of the Government that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. Details of the work of the National Famine Commemoration Committees since 2008 in implementing a varied and diverse annual programme of events to coincide with the National Famine Commemoration are available on the relevant pages of my Department's website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/NationalFamineCommemoration2012/ .
The National Famine Commemoration rotates between the four provinces of Ireland and this year the National Famine Commemoration will take place in Munster. In this regard, I have introduced a new selection process to determine the location of the National Famine Commemoration in 2013. This process will also be used to determine the locations for future commemorations. In line with this process, I have invited the County and City Councils in Munster to submit expressions of interest and proposals setting out possible locations where the ceremony might be held following consultation with local communities, interest groups and other stakeholders. The purpose of this new selection process is to generate public awareness and interest in the annual National Famine Commemoration, to increase the number of potential sites available to choose from each year and to ensure that the selection process is as transparent and open as possible. A sub-committee of the National Famine Commemoration Committee will assess these proposals and will recommend the most suitable site. I expect to announce the date and location of the commemoration following the sub-Committee's assessment.
The Deputy should also note that in line with previous years, an international event has been planned to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. In this regard, the 2013 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine will take place on Sunday, 25th August, in Sydney, Australia.
611. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige aon athruithe a dhéanamh ar théarmaí Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge don bhliain 2013, téarmaí airgid san áireamh agus má tá, cén uair a fhógróidh sé aon athruithe atá i gceist aige a dhéanamh, ó tharla go bhfuil an cheist seo práinneach anois mar go bhfuil cinntí déanta nó á ndéanamh ag na Coláistí don bhliain 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48195/12]
View answerTá an cheist maidir leis an soláthar airgid a bheidh ar fáil do mo Roinnse in 2013 á phlé leis an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe faoi láthair mar chuid den ghnáth-phróiseas meastacháin. Is i gcomhthéacs an phróisis sin a dhéanfar cinntí sonracha maidir le téarmaí airgid Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge in 2013.
Is féidir leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte, ar ndóigh, go dtuigim go maith an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an scéim áirithe seo don Ghaeltacht agus don Ghaeilge agus go gcuirfear an méid sin san áireamh mar chuid den phróiseas seo.
Mar is eol don Teachta, is scátheagraíocht é CONCOS do na coláistí Gaeilge agus bíonn comhoibriú luachmhar idir mo Roinnse agus CONCOS a chuireann go mór le feidhmiú agus le forbairt na gcoláistí Gaeilge. Cuirfear pé moltaí a thagann ó CONCOS maidir le forbairt na gcoláistí Gaeilge san áireamh go cuí freisin.
612. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a bhfuil sé i gceist aige Coimisiún Logainmneacha nua a cheapadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48196/12]
View answer613. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon daoine atá ag obair i mBrainse na Logainmneacha sa Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, an é an líon céanna é a bhí ag obair ann sa bhliain 2009; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48197/12]
View answer614. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a cheapfar stiúrthóir nua ar Bhrainse na Logainmneacha ina Roinn; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48198/12]
View answerTá i gceist agam Ceisteanna Uimh 612 go 614 a thógáil le chéile.
Mar is eol don Teachta, d'fhoilsigh an Rialtas a Phlean um Athchóiriú na Seirbhíse Poiblí ar an 17 Samhain 2011. Nótáiltear sa Phlean sin go gcreideann an Rialtas go dtiocfaidh buntáiste ceart as tírdhreach riaracháin nach mbeidh chomh plódaithe agus, dá réir, go mbeidh freagracht dhaonlathach níos mó mar thoradh air sin, chomh maith le níos lú dúblála agus línte níos soiléire freagrachta do shaoránaigh. Sa chomhthéacs seo, tá dianscrúdú déanta ag mo Roinnse ar struchtúr agus ar fheidhmiú na n-institiúidí atá áirithe sa Phlean um Athchóiriú na Seirbhíse Poiblí, lena n-áirítear athbhreithniú grinn ar an gCoimisiún Logainmneacha.
Ba é toradh an athbhreithnithe sin ná, tar éis dul in éag théarma oifige an Choimisiúin Logainmneacha reatha, go bhfuil i gceist coiste saineolaithe de idir seachtar agus deichniúr ball - a bheidh ag feidhmiú ar bhonn pro bono agus a bheidh á gceapadh ag an Aire - a chur ina áit. Tiocfaidh an coiste saineolaithe le chéile ar bhonn ráithiúil agus déanfar an chuid is mó d'obair an choiste ar líne. Meastar go dtógfaidh na hathchóirithe seo ar an dea-obair atá déanta go dtí seo ag an gCoimisiún agus go mbeidh breis éifeachtúlachtaí mar thoradh orthu. Tá oifigigh mo Roinne ag obair i láthair na huaire ar chritéir a fhorbairt don choiste nua agus táthar ag súil go mbeifear ag lorg léirithe spéise sna seachtainí atá amach romhainn.
Tá seisear ball foirne i mbun oibre i mBrainse Logainmneacha mo Roinne i láthair na huaire, ar a n-áirítear an Príomhoifigeach Logainmneacha. Seisear ball foirne a bhí ag obair sa Bhrainse ag deireadh 2009 freisin.
Glacaim leis go bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt i gCeist Uimh XX don Phríomhoifigeach Logainmneacha. Ní thagann aon cheist aníos i láthair na huaire maidir le Príomhoifigeach Logainmneacha nua a cheapadh sa Bhrainse.
615. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48539/12]
View answerNorth South co-operation is a strategic priority of my Department, in particular in the context of the Good Friday Agreement. My Department has two North South Implementation Bodies under its remit - Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga. The latter Body comprises Foras na Gaeilge (with the responsibility of promoting the Irish language in every aspect of everyday life throughout the island of Ireland) and the Ulster Scots Agency/Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (with the responsibility of promoting the Ulster-Scots language and culture, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island of Ireland). Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.
These North South Bodies are co-funded and co-sponsored with the Department of Arts, Culture and Leisure, Northern Ireland. In addition to the language and inland waterways sectors, the Deputy will be aware that there is ongoing North South engagement in a number of other areas of my Department, some of which also come within the remit of the Department of Arts, Culture and Leisure. These include arts, culture, museums galleries and commemorations, as well as co-operation in relation to built and natural heritage and other environmental matters.
I and officials of my Department are directly involved in frequent North South engagement at both formal and informal levels, up to and including the highest levels. The most recent engagement was at the plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on Friday last, 2 November in Armagh. The ongoing engagement involves a variety of officers in my Department across the range of activities involved, in addition to those dealing specifically with the North South Bodies mentioned.
My Department's staff complement for An Foras Teanga comprises 5 officers (viz. Director 25%, PO 25%, AP 80%, HEO 100% and CO 100%). A North South Co-operation Unit has been in place in my Department since its establishment. The 2 staff members working full-time in the Unit also have responsibility for Waterways Ireland. The Unit is overseen by a Principal Officer (25%), who also has a number of other responsibilities.
