Written Answers Nos. 196 - 213
196. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline Enterprise Ireland's strategy for supporting Irish initiated or Irish based tech companies that operate in online betting, betting exchange, gambling, competitive social gaming and tipping markets, or that earn revenue from such activities. [7949/13]
View answerEnterprise Ireland does not support companies that operate in the gambling sector – which includes all companies which earn their revenues from online betting, betting exchange, gambling, competitive social gaming and tipping markets.
According to the policies applied by Enterprise Ireland, no financial or soft supports are offered to companies in the gaming/betting sector (unregulated entities or companies operating under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 or the Betting Act 1931 (as amended)).
Limited grant-only funding can be approved for Financial Spread-Betting Companies (FSB)/ Contracts for Difference (CFD) providers, only if these companies are regulated by a Financial Services Regulatory Authority. Such financial support is restricted to R&D financial assistance and Feasibility supports that relate to the building of the company’s technical capabilities.
Enterprise Ireland does support companies that earn revenue from supplying products or services to companies in the gambling sector (provided the earnings are not directly linked to amounts gambled). There may be rare situations where a company in the gambling sector also operates in another sector, whether through a “ring-fenced” unit or subsidiary, and provided this other activity is one of the eligible activities permitted under the Industrial Development Acts, Enterprise Ireland may provide support for these other activities and the persons employed in that unit or subsidiary.
Given the very narrow scope of intervention which Enterprise Ireland can pursue legally and in line with policy, the strategy in place for supporting companies in these sectors is to work with Irish companies where the primary activity is the development for sale on world markets of new technologies (or the products and services associated with these new technologies), within the confines of legislation and policy.
197. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount spent on outsourced security services in his Department; and if he will provide details of the companies providing these services. [8477/13]
View answerThe total spent on outsourced security services by my Department and its Offices for 2012 was €236,210 as detailed as follows:
|
Company |
Amount paid in 2012 |
|
Karwall Ltd. – trading as Sentry Security |
€32,781 |
|
G4S Secure Solutions (Ire) Ltd. |
€26,553 |
|
Senaca Group |
€176,876 |
|
Total |
€236,210 |
198. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount spent on outsourced cleaning services in his Department; and if he will provide details of the companies providing these services. [8491/13]
View answerThe total spent on outsourced cleaning services by my Department and its Offices for 2012 was €264,451 as detailed as follows:
|
Company |
Amount paid in 2012 |
|
Ailesbury Contract Cleaning Limited |
€41,274 |
|
Derry Court Cleaning Company Limited |
€87,435 |
|
OCS One Complete Solution Ltd |
€25,076 |
|
Grosvenor Cleaning Services Ltd |
€86,703 |
|
Noonan Services Group Ltd |
€6,843 |
|
Eco Group Services |
€17,120 |
|
Total |
€264,451 |
199. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on a person's position regarding a pension arrangement (details supplied) in County Cork; if she will explain what will happen if a decision of the Pensions Ombudsman is not complied with in this instance; if a general fund is available to meet claims of this nature if a company or employer is not in a position to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7844/13]
View answerIn the event of the failure of a party to comply with a determination of the Pensions Ombudsman, the person concerned or the Pensions Ombudsman can apply to the Circuit Court to make an order directing the party against whom the determination is made to carry out the determination in accordance with its terms.
I understand that the company in question is in liquidation and the Pensions Ombudsman was advised that there was no surplus arising after payment of liquidation expenses leaving no funds available for preferential or unsecured creditors. In such circumstances, it seemed pointless and a waste of financial resource to have an enforcement ordered by the courts, and for that reason the Pensions Ombudsman did not do so. There is no general fund available for cases of this type. However, the Construction Employees Benevolent Fund was established in 1985 and is registered as a charitable trust. This may be helpful to the person concerned as the aim of the Fund is to help relieve financial distress or hardship of individuals and their dependants, working on or formerly engaged in, the construction industry. All claims are dealt with in the strictest confidence.
200. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an analysis of the per capita spend by her Department on a regional basis with regard to current and capital spends in the area of social welfare . [7882/13]
View answerExpenditure information by region as requested by the Deputy is not collated at present by my Department. Social welfare schemes are mainly demand led, and respond to demographic, social and labour market conditions. However, volume based statistics are available. A copy of the Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services report for 2011, which contains statistics relating to recipients of social welfare scheme at county level, was forwarded to the Deputy on 12 February 2013. When the 2012 report is published it will be laid before the Dáil.
201. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding current legislation and the way it could impact on the pension entitlements of current employees in Allied Irish Bank should the pension fund be dissolved. [7946/13]
View answerI am not in a position to comment on any individual pension scheme; however, I am aware of the significant challenges facing pension schemes at this time.
In the event of a scheme windup, the assets of a scheme are distributed in accordance with section 48 of the Pensions Act 1990. The statutory order of priority is of no consequence where a scheme winds up with sufficient assets to meet all of its liabilities. In a wind–up situation where there are insufficient funds to meet all liabilities, all pensioner benefits except post-retirement increases, are given the highest priority after wind-up expenses and additional voluntary contributions made by individuals. The remaining assets are then distributed amongst current and former (not-yet retired) scheme members. The level of scheme funding will determine the extent to which the liabilities of the scheme can be met
I have indicated my intention to change the way in which the assets of a scheme are distributed on the windup of a scheme. A consultation process on this issue was completed in the last quarter of 2012. The consultation process involved engagement with representatives of older people, the pensions industry, employers and trade unions. In addition, my Department engaged external expertise to assess the impact of possible changes on how assets of a scheme are distributed on the windup of a scheme.
The proposals emanating from this process are being considered at present and I will be bringing proposals for change to Government for decision.
202. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against refusal of jobseeker's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo and if the processing of same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7776/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 04th December 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 08th January 2013 and 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.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 7 February 2012, the reason an appeal in respect of jobseeker's allowance payment was disallowed; if she will review the reduced rate of jobseeker's allowance awarded in this instance taking into account the considerable hardship being experienced by the applicant and their family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7803/13]
View answerAs the person concerned is under 25 years of age and living in the family home, parental income is assessable as means. When he applied for jobseeker’s allowance on 18th January 2011, the net weekly parental income was below the assessable threshold applicable in his case and, therefore, he was awarded the full age-related weekly rate of jobseeker’s allowance. On 17th May 2012, a review of his means showed an increase in the net weekly parental income. As a result, means of €65 per week were assessed and this amount was deducted from his jobseeker’s allowance with effect from 23 May 2012. This decision was appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and on 14th January 2013, the Appeals Officer disallowed the appeal on the grounds that the decision was correct and that means had been assessed in line with the provisions of the legislation. If circumstances change in the future, the person concerned should contact his local social welfare office to seek a review of his means.
205. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on funding for the Clondalkin Travellers' Development Group bicycle repair shed project, which was expected to have been delivered late last year; if this funding will still be provided, and if so, the date of same; and if it will not be provided, at what stage was it cancelled and the communication there was between her Department and the development group and-or the special initiative on Traveller enterprise in this regard. [7804/13]
View answerThe Special Initiative for Travellers (SIT) provides support for practical approaches to redressing the imbalance in Traveller under-employment, to support Travellers already engaged in the Traveller economy and provides other supports, including for training, to address the needs of Travellers. Responsibility for the programmes transferred from FÁS to the Department of Social Protection on 1st January 2012.
The Department proposes to issue contracts in the coming weeks and I expect the contract with Clondalkin Travellers' Development Group will be concluded before the end of February. The overall provision for all contracts under the SIT in 2013 amounts to €750,000.
206. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7806/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 05th February 2013, 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.
207. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review and impact assessment of the habitual residence condition will be concluded in relation to ethnicity and gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7808/13]
View answerThe Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) has applied since 2004 to non-contributory social welfare payments and to child benefit. It is applied uniformly and without distinction as to gender or ethnicity. The HRC guidelines were reviewed in 2011 and the updated guidelines were made available on the Department’s website in June 2011 after training had been rolled out to all staff. There is no current review and impact assessment of HRC in relation to ethnicity and gender, (which are not criteria for assessment) nor is it proposed to introduce such criteria, or conduct such a review.
208. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has granted any contracts or is considering granting any projects to private companies for the implementation of the pathways to work programmes; and if she will list the private companies involved. [7811/13]
View answerOn 30 November 2012, following a procurement process, the Department engaged the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (London) to provide expert advice and assistance with the design and delivery of an employment services model on a payment by results basis. Once the design of the model has been completed consideration will be given to the question of contracting private providers of employment services. A number of companies have been awarded contracts for other services under the pathways to work programme. Details of these companies and the services provided are set out hereunder.
Company- Details of Service
Deaglán Ó Caoimh - Translations for Intreo Service
Clare Rowland - Translations for Intreo Service
Tomkins & Co- Trademark Search & Registration
Future Business - Domain Registration for Intreo Service
IDL Ireland - Signs and display material for Intreo Launch
Creative Inc - Design of a corporate identity for the National Employment and Entitlements Service
Language - The design implementation of the new corporate identity for the National Employment Entitlements Service (NEES)
iStock - Images for Intreo Service
Getty Images - Images for Intreo Service
Turner Printing - Print and delivery of leaflet, brochure, compliment slip, headed paper
Kelly Print - Employer information packs
Acron - Internal Intreo signage
Sign-a-Rama - Internal Intreo signage
210. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7819/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officers decision.
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.
211. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for carer's allowance. [7822/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 25th January 2013. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7825/13]
View answerThe person concerned applied for disability allowance on 1 August 2012. The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 13 September 2012.
The person subsequently appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted further evidence in support of their application.
As part of the appeals process, the deciding officer reviewed the original decision in the light of the additional information and decided that the person was medically suitable for disability allowance. The appeal has, accordingly, been withdrawn.
A means test is now being completed and a final decision on her application will be made in due course and the person will be notified in writing of the outcome.
213. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review and decision will issue on an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7826/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 13 November 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.
