Written Answers Nos. 134-142
134. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if a specialist unit of the Money Advice and Budgetary Service could be established which would provide an enhanced mortgage arrears information and advice service and would in effect provide the borrower with the ongoing support required which will undoubtedly increase in necessity the provisions of the personal insolvency legislation. [53276/12]
View answerIn September I announced a three-phased approach to establishing a comprehensive Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service to provide the necessary supports to assist people in mortgage distress. The approach differentiates between mortgage information and mortgage advice. The first two elements involve the enhancement of the website www.keepingyourhome.ie and the establishment of a Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline within the Citizens Information Board (CIB) both of which focus on the provision of comprehensive mortgage arrears information in particular to people in arrears or pre-arrears. There are strong linkages between this service, the MABS and other areas of the CIB, as envisaged by the Keane report, to ensure the development of a seamless service for the public.
The third element of the service is the provision of independent financial advice to mortgage holders who are being presented with long term mortgage resolution proposals by their lenders. This advice will be provided by a panel of accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland who have agreed to participate and support this independent service.
When a lender is proposing longer-term mortgage resolutions, the lender will advise the borrower to obtain independent financial advice on the proposed arrangement and, if the borrower wishes to avail of this option, that the lender will pay €250 to an accountant of the borrower’s choosing for the provision of this advice.
An operating protocol for the provision of this advice has been agreed between the main accountancy bodies and the lenders. The general scope of the advice will be limited to the borrower’s principal private residence.
To date, some 2,700 accountants have confirmed to their accounting body that they wish to be part of the panel and their details are now listed on a county by county basis on the website www.keepingyourhome.ie.
The Personal Insolvency Bill provides for a Debt Relief Notice for persons with no assets or income with unsecured debts of up to €20,000. With the assistance of an approved intermediary, a person may apply for a Debt Relief Notice which will allow for the full write-off of qualifying unsecured debt after a three year supervision period. The Citizens Information Board, which has the statutory responsibility for MABS has agreed to my request that MABS be an approved intermediary for the purpose of processing applications for Debt Relief Notices. The Citizens Information Board is working closely with MABS to put in place the necessary structures to ensure the successful implementation of this new and important role.
135. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if a directive was sent to HEOs, formerly CWOs, regarding non-payment of travelling expenses to hospitals under the exceptional needs payment in supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will provide details of same. [53291/12]
View answerWhere travel costs are non-recurring, the SWA scheme provides for exceptional needs payments to be made to assist with essential, once-off expenditure in exceptional circumstances to people on social welfare or Health Service Executive payments. There is no automatic entitlement to such payments. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
It is important to point out that where other State agencies have a primary responsibility, the SWA scheme should not be used as an alternative or additional source of support.
There has been no recent change in this policy.
136. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of Government special advisers employed in her Department; the total cost of employing these advisers and the cost of employing these advisers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53318/12]
View answerThere is currently one special adviser employed in my Department since July 2011. The person in question is in receipt of a salary of €127,796 per annum.
137. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently respond to the critical issues outlined in the attached letter (details supplied) relating to a workers' pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53385/12]
View answerThe Deputy will understand that I am not in a position to comment directly on any ongoing discussions or negotiations being undertaken by the trustees of private pension schemes with employers, employees and their union representatives.
However, it is acknowledged there are significant structural and affordability problems with defined benefit (DB) pension schemes in Ireland due to a range of factors such as an under-estimation of longevity, poor investment returns, the impact of the downturn in financial markets and increased annuity rates. The 2008 downturn in the financial markets put in excess of 90% of DB schemes into an underfunded position, and while there has been some recovery since in the markets, the situation is still volatile and many schemes remain in a difficult funding position. These schemes face serious challenges in restoring their funding levels to enable the scheme deliver on the pension promise.
Ireland’s Funding Standard provides a benchmark against which the ‘health’ of a scheme can be tested and is the regulatory mechanism for ensuring that a scheme can live up to the promised level of pension benefits. If the scheme does not satisfy the funding standard the trustees of the scheme must prepare a funding proposal to restore scheme funding within a three year period. The Pensions Board recently revised the timeframe for DB schemes with funding deficits to submit funding proposals to the Board. This decision was made to allow trustees additional time to fully explore all options available to address scheme funding deficits. Trustees of all schemes required to submit funding proposals will now have until 30 June 2013 to submit their proposal to the Board.
In relation to the wind-up of schemes, my Department is currently finalising a review of Section 48 of the Pensions Act (commonly referred to as the ‘Priority Order’). The objective of the review is to determine to what extent, if any, the provisions of Section 48 might be revised to provide for a different approach to the distribution of assets in the wind up of an underfunded scheme.
On a more general note, in an effort to help schemes better match their liabilities, legislation to enable the issuing of sovereign annuities has been introduced to provide pension schemes with an additional option, not previously available to trustees. The NTMA have issued just over one billion of sovereign amortising bonds to pension schemes to date. Pension schemes that purchase sovereign annuities or the underlying bonds will benefit from a reduction in their liabilities under the Funding Standard to the extent that they actually make those purchases. The nominated bonds underpinning these annuity policies can also be bought by investors or by pension scheme trustees who wish to pay pensions directly from the pension fund.
138. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53386/12]
View answerInvalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 16 March 2011. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of his claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion, based on the evidence provided, that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 11 October 2011.
Further medical evidence was subsequently submitted by the claimant. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. The deciding officer confirmed the original decision and notified the claimant of the outcome on 08 June 2012, advising him of his right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The person concerned has appealed the decision and submitted further medical evidence which is currently with the medical assessor to further review his medical eligibility for invalidity pension.
If following this review, it is decided that he still does not satisfy the medical criteria, his file and all relevant papers will be prepared and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. If the claimant satisfies the medical criteria, a revised decision will be made by a deciding officer and he will be notified directly of same.
139. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53387/12]
View answerFollowing a review of the person’s disability allowance claim he was assessed with means from capital owned by his partner which had not been disclosed. When this means was assessed it was found the person was entitled to a reduced weekly rate of disability allowance of €13.00 per week.
The person was informed of this by letter on 19 September 2012. The person has recently appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
As part of the appeals process, a deciding officer will examine the new information supplied with his appeal and the original decision will be revised, if warranted. If the decision still stands after this review, the case will be referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.
141. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his role in the gathering 2013 in particular with regard to possible events that focus on our reputation in the arts and that will promote Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53168/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Gathering is an initiative of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and it has my full support and that of the agencies within my Department's ambit.
The National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, is the lead agency for the implementation of The Gathering initiative. The arts, culture, film and heritage sector constitute an essential part of our national tourism offering: indeed, they animate the brand globally. In that context, my Department and the relevant agencies under its aegis are working closely with the lead Department on this important initiative.
Art in all its forms is an intrinsic part of Irish culture and will play an important part in The Gathering. Our national cultural institutions will be promoting a number of initiatives specifically designed to contribute to the success of The Gathering:
- The National Museum of Ireland is working closely with Fáilte Ireland to promote the Museum’s four sites as part of The Gathering. The Museum is also promoting its four sites directly as places where Gathering events from small family reunions up to big marqueed events can take place. The Museum of Country Life is a leading member of the Mayo Gathering Steering Committee and has had direct meetings with Mayo’s Co-ordinator to ensure the Museum is to the forefront of any formal (and informal) Gathering events in the region.
- The National Gallery of Ireland will be holding a sustained programme of exhibitions, temporary displays, weekly events such as public lectures and tours to enhance the participation and engagement of visitors to Ireland during The Gathering. In addition, there will be a number of study mornings, lectures, conferences and symposia that will involve guests from overseas.
- The Irish Museum of Modern Art is taking significant steps to increase the number of foreign visitors of Irish descent visiting the Museum in 2012. Specific initiatives for The Gathering centre mainly on the promotion of those exhibitions which have the greatest capacity to attract this segment of the market, e.g., the exhibition of the famous Ned Kelly series of paintings by the celebrated Australian artist, Sidney Nolan.
- The National Library of Ireland will have a number of events and activities that are relevant to The Gathering e.g. Free Family History advice service: a drop-in service free to all visitors to Kildare Street, advising visitors on how to get started on researching their family history.
The Arts Council will also play a key role in funding and developing arts events around the country during 2013 and are in regular contact with Fáilte Ireland with regard to its contribution to The Gathering. In particular, the Arts Council provides funding to small arts festivals as well as touring and dissemination of works. This will ensure that more people around the country – including, I hope, many of the visitors for the The Gathering – can experience excellent performances and exhibitions locally.
In addition, both the Culture Night and International Celebration of Irish Culture initiatives will also make a significant contribution towards the success of The Gathering. The Culture Night initiative has grown into a significant national cultural event, with more than 300,000 people visiting museums, galleries and other venues across the country in 2011. The International Celebration of Irish Culture is a new initiative based around the St Patrick’s Day festival, which was well supported this year. Plans are already in hand to develop the concept further in 2013 with a key aim of using the existing St Patrick’s Festival activity to promote Ireland and its culture, both domestically and internationally.
With regard to the Gaeltacht, The Gathering has been raised by my Department in discussions with CONCOS - the representative body for over 40 Irish Summer Colleges. Plans are progressing and CONCOS has expressed an interest in participating in this important national event.
Last September, my Department launched two new websites which aim to highlight these lesser-known sites - national monuments and heritage buildings that are open to the public but which tend to be only visited by those very familiar with the particular area in which they are situated. It is hoped that the new ‘Places to See’ and ‘Monuments to Visit’ websites will assist in encouraging tourists to visit locations that might not otherwise be on their itineraries and also assist those of us welcoming relatives and friends from abroad as part of The Gathering next year to be able to identify locations close by that will interest visitors. Both websites feature easy-to-use digital maps that provide directions to the sites and details of what the visitor can expect to find on arrival. My Department will also continue to co-operate closely with our colleagues in the Office of Public Works (whose role it is to manage national monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) to further enhance the tourism value of our built heritage.
My Department is supporting an initiative planned for 2013 by Mayo County Council under the Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015 to create an architectural installation in a westerly location in Co Mayo, which will be informed by past and present diaspora celebrated by The Gathering.
Finally, I am aware that genealogy will have relevance in the context of The Gathering, particularly for members of the Irish diaspora and establishing the details of their Irish family history. In relation to my Department and the agencies under my auspices, genealogical services are provided by the National Library of Ireland, the National Archives and through my Department's website www.irishgenealogy.ie. My Department and the relevant institutions are currently exploring what improvements could be made to our genealogical offering against the backdrop of The Gathering. That work is ongoing.
142. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the person who designates additional special areas of conservation; the reason a farm (details supplied) in County Kerry was designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53174/12]
View answerResponsibility for designating land as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) rests with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. When the land referred to in the Deputy's Question was proposed for designation as an SAC in 2006 (which superseded an earlier proposed designation), the function rested with the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The land in question was retained for designation as an SAC, following a revised approach to SAC river boundaries more generally, as it was considered to contain an area of associated wildlife habitat, i.e., wet grassland.
