Written Answers Nos. 438-461
438. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8727/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16th August 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 7th February 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.
439. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused carer's allowance when the person being cared for had been assessed for carer's benefit as being in need of full-time care in August 2012 and has had no improvement in their condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8750/13]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 23rd November 2012. The application was refused on medical grounds on the 7th February 2013 and the person concerned was notified of the decision.
The person being cared for had been found medically eligible for carer's benefit in August 2012. However medical eligibility does not automatically transfer across to a different scheme. Although the legislation in regard to medical eligibility for carer’s allowance is very similar to that of carer’s benefit, they are not identical. Section 179(4)(b) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 relating to carer's allowance is significant here. It states that "a relevant person shall be regarded as requiring full-time care and attention where the person has such a disability that he or she is likely to require full-time care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months”.
In carrying out the assessment of the case, the medical assessor considered all evidence presented and expressed an opinion based on findings. The medical assessor expressed the following opinion in regard to this case on the 4th December 2012: “While care recipient clearly needs additional care and attention, however based on all medical reports and evidence available to me at this time, I am of the opinion that the need for continuous care and attention does not comply with the criteria for eligibility for CA”. Taking all material into account, the deciding officer decided to disallow carer’s allowance.
440. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 359 of 12 February 2013, if she will change the rule to allow persons on social welfare allowance to travel for medical treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8751/13]
View answerSupplementary welfare allowance (SWA) is not normally payable where a recipient is outside the State.
Recipients of SWA are advised to contact the officer dealing with their claim where there is a change in their circumstances which includes travel outside the State. I have no plans to change the conditions under which SWA is payable.
442. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been any agreement in relation to putting in place the provision of a gratuity or pension payment for retiring job club leaders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8824/13]
View answerThe Department has no agreements in place for the provision of a gratuity or pension payment for retiring job club leaders. The Department provides grant assistance to sponsors/contractors towards the cost of operating job clubs. The provision of pensions or gratuities and other employment related issues are matters for the sponsors/contractors as the employer.
443. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for rent supplement will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8871/13]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of her full entitlement to rent supplement based on her household circumstances. The rent supplement claim was awarded on the 21st November 2012. All arrears have been issued directly to the bank account of the person concerned.
446. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No 432 of the 5 of February 2013, if she will re-examine the case of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8974/13]
View answerAn application for disability allowance, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Advisor of the Department who was of the opinion that she was medically unsuitable for the allowance. The Deciding Officer’s decision, in this case, issued on 12th September 2011.
I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there is no trace of an appeal against this decision by the person concerned.
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.
448. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8980/13]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 2nd May 2012. A decision was made on the 6th February 2013 awarding the allowance. All arrears due issued by cheque on that date and the first weekly payment issued to the designated post office on the 7th February 2013.
449. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are alternative arrangements in place for those persons who can no longer avail of the transition pension; if she intends to implement an alternative scheme for those nearing retirement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8983/13]
View answerThe State pension (transition) (SPT) is paid for a maximum of 12 months and is available to people who retire from work on reaching age 65 provided they satisfy the necessary PRSI contributions criteria and that they do not work for that one year between age 65 and 66.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided for changes to State pension provision. SPT will cease to be paid from 2014 which will standardise the payment of pension at age 66. In addition, the age at which State pension (contributory) (SPC) will be payable will increase to 67 years from 2012 and to 68 years from 2028.
In December 2012, there were just under 14,400 SPT recipients compared to 312,300 recipients of SPC. Only 1,700 people, or 12% in all, were awarded SPT directly from employment while almost half were already in receipt of another social welfare payment.
A person who retires from work on reaching age 65 and who does not have sufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for SPT may apply for another social welfare payment, depending on their individual circumstances.
The abolition of SPT in 2014 removes the retirement condition which acts as an incentive to leave the workforce and has been widely criticised as a barrier to older people remaining in employment. The continued participation of older people in the labour market must be encouraged and facilitated to meet the challenge of an ageing society. Employees and employers need to be persuaded to change their attitudes to working longer. In the workplace, employers should try to retain older employees and create working conditions which make working longer both attractive and possible for the older worker. At present, my Department is working with other Departments and relevant State agencies who have a role to play in identifying and breaking down barriers to remaining in work past the age of 65.
The State pension is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Raising State pension age and the abolition of SPT is a necessary step in ensuring the sustainability of pensions into the future and to address the challenges of changing demographics such as increasing life expectancy.
450. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he intends to continue considering a consent application made under a planning application that has been amended and altered and is, by the applicant's own admission, now subject to further planning approval. [9241/13]
View answer457. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that he has undertaken to preserve the national monument Moore St., Dublin, under preservation order No.1 of 2007, if he will explain the basis upon which he can consider an application that seeks his consent to retain only the monument's buildings, that is, 40% of its protected area; the basis upon which the application, in seeking Ministerial consent, can simply ignore the protection afforded to the national monument as a protected structure and a national monument, by redrawing its boundary to facilitate the demolition of protected structures and outbuildings directly linked to the 1916 Rising and build on, over and under it.. [8641/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 450 and 457 together.
Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street are the subject of a Preservation Order under the National Monuments Acts. The effect of the Preservation Order is that any works affecting these properties require the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended. The landowner’s application to my Department for consent to proposals that include the provision of a commemorative centre to the 1916 Rising and its Leaders on the national monument site is being examined.
As part of the consent process, the applicant was asked by my Department to submit an environmental impact statement in relation to the proposal. This is in accordance with the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposed Demolition of National Monuments) Regulations 2012 which place additional responsibilities on landowners in respect of monuments protected under the National Monuments Acts.
The environmental impact statement was submitted to my Department on 25 January 2013 and is available for public consultation in the Department’s offices and at the offices of Dublin City Council. Interested parties have until Friday, I March 2013, to provide me, as Minister, with their comments on it. Having completed the prescribed consultation procedures, I will proceed as quickly as possible to undertake a formal environmental impact assessment and to make a decision on the consent application.
451. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8113/13]
View answer452. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8131/13]
View answer453. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8149/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 451 to 453, inclusive, together.
The table below sets out details of all appointments made to the Boards of the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group in the period in question. I am satisfied that all Board members are suitably qualified to carry out the duties required of them.
|
Total Number of Board members |
% of board members which can be appointed by the Minister |
Board members appointed since March 2011 |
Date of appointment |
Term of Office |
Appointments subject to public applications process? |
|
Arts Council - 13 |
100% |
Éimear O'Connor Ciarán Walsh Mark O'Regan John Fanning |
13/09/2011 13/09/2011 13/09/2011 07/10/2011 |
5 years |
Yes |
|
Heritage Council - 16 |
100% |
Ciara Breathnach Kieran O’Conor Ted Creedon Catherine Heaney Fidelma Mullane Michael Parsons |
All appointments made on 25/01/2012 |
4 years – (current term of office expires on 25/01/2016) |
Yes |
|
National Concert Hall - 15 |
100% |
Kieran Tobin (Chair) Dearbhla Collins John McGrane Laurie Cearr Gina Menzies Bruce Arnold Margaret Ryan Ray Bates Alma Hynes Artemis Kent Deborah Kelleher Peter McEvoy Pat Heneghan Rachel Holstead Patricia Slavin |
Chair appointed on 30/08/2011 All other appointments made on 11/07/2011 |
5 years |
Yes |
|
National Gallery of Ireland - 17 |
58% |
Fred Krehbiel |
08/06/2011 |
5 years |
N/A – appointment was underway prior to the introduction of the public applications process. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery - 8 |
100% |
John R. Bowen (Chair) Sheila Maguire Noel O'Keefe Úna Feely Jim Corr Tim Brosnan Tim Lucey |
All appointments made in December 2011 |
2 years |
N/A board members were reappointed pro tem during the public service reform process. |
|
Chester Beatty Library - 11 |
25% |
Patricia Donlon Declan Downey |
P Donlon appointed in November 2011 D Downey appointed in May 2012 |
5 years |
Yes |
|
National Archives Advisory Council - 12 |
100% |
Paul Rousse Mary McAuliffe |
Both appointments made on 03/02/2012 |
5 years |
Process in place but no applications received following advertisement. |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission – 20 (including 1 ex-officio vacancy) |
85% |
James McGuire (Chair) Nicholas Canny David Dickson David Edwards Chris Flynn Greta Jones James Kelly Michael Kennedy Máire Mac Conghail John McCafferty Aileen McClintock Deirdre McMahon Donal Moore Thomas O'Connor Dáibhí Ó Cróinín Ruan O'Donnell Mary O'Dowd Jane Ohlmeyer Fiona Ross |
All appointments made in November 2011 |
The commission's term of office will expire on 28/02/2013. |
N/A – the commissioners were reappointed pro tem during the public service reform process. |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta – 11 (1 vacancy) *Four of the appointees were nominated by local authorities under the terms of the relevant legislation. The nomination of another local authority has yet to be ratified. |
100% |
Anna Ní Ghallachair (Chair) Dairíona Nic Con Iomaire Pádraig Ó hAinifín Fiachra Ó Céilleachair Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin Micheál Ó Scanaill Séamus Cosaí Mac Gearailt Seán Ó Cuireán Seosamh Ó Laoi Ian Mac Aindriú Cathal Seoighe |
All appointments made on 20/11/12. |
5 years for all members except for Micheál Ó Scanaill and the Meath County Council nominee, Cathal Seoighe, who were both appointed for a two year term, which expires on 19/11/14 |
Yes |
454. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is possible for a person who is in receipt of turf cutting compensation to bequeath that income to another person in the event of their death before the full term of compensation is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8185/13]
View answerUnder the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, applicants will enter into a legal agreement with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. A provision has been included in the legal agreement which provides that the agreement is assignable on the death of the applicant by way of will or rules on intestacy.
455. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a club (details supplied) in County Mayo can obtain maps of the areas which are included in the shooting rights that it has leased for the past 32 years; if he will provide maps of the actual rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8216/13]
View answerMy Department does not hold maps in relation to the legal title of shooting rights which are vested in the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
456. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 7 February 2013, if any of the board members of the four bodies under the aegis of his Department gift their annual fee back to the State. [8272/13]
View answerThe term of the Irish Film Board ended on 16 January 2013 and the new board, when constituted, will operate pro bono.
With regard to the other three boards referred to by the Deputy, I am advised that, to date, three members have decided to gift their fees back to the State.
Question No. 457 answered with Question No. 450.
458. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he plans to increase the number of wild salmon available for high value angling in lakes and rivers; and his views on whether netting in rivers is a problem in this regard. [8061/13]
View answerI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that over the past number of years Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to conserve and protect salmon, which also ensures the continued availability of salmon stock for economic exploitation. Actions have included the closure of the mixed stock drift net fishery, the closure of individual rivers and catchments to exploitation where salmon production is shown to have fallen below their conservation limit, together with a significant investment programme in salmon habitat restoration. It is my intention that the continued focus on conservation based management and investment in habitat restoration will help to restore salmon stocks to their historic levels.
Since 2007 Ireland has managed salmon stocks on an individual river-by-river basis, with exploitation of salmon only permitted where salmon in that catchment are above their conservation limit. In a situation where a catchment has a surplus of salmon available for exploitation, the available surplus may be allocated between the commercial fishery and recreational anglers, based on the analysis of local stakeholders and the decision of local management following recommendations from the local Fishery District Committee.
As rivers with surpluses have been identified on an individual river basis by the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon, following careful analysis of a wide range of data, I am confident that draft netting of part of the surplus of salmon for a particular river does not pose a problem to the sustainability of the stock.
459. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8115/13]
View answer460. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8133/13]
View answer461. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8151/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 459 to 461, inclusive, together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that for the past two years I have, on the Department’s website, invited Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department. In both years, this information has been used to inform decisions for appointments to State Boards. I have recently advertised on the website of my Department for persons interested in such appointments during 2013.
In the case of public bodies established by Statute, the maximum, and sometimes minimum, number of persons that may be appointed to the Board is generally set out in the relevant legislation. The table below details all the positions on State Boards under the aegis of my Department which have been filled since 9th March 2011. All of the appointments have been made in light of the objectives of the organisation and on the basis of appointees having the necessary competencies, expertise and experience to contribute effectively to the work of the particular boards, whilst also taking into consideration the legislative requirements where applicable.
Appointments to State owned banks and the judiciary do not come under the remit of my Department.
|
Body |
Appointee |
Date Appointed |
|
An Post |
Mr Donal Connell CEO (ex officio) Mr James Wrynn Mr Paul Henry Mr Noel Adamson (worker director) Mr Patrick Compton (worker director reappointed) Mr Thomas Devlin (worker director reappointed) Mr William Mooney (worker director) Ms Martina O’Connell (worker director) Mr William Scally Ms Lorraine Tormey |
14/08/2011 15/09/2011 15/09/2011 01/11/2012 01/11/2012 01/11/2012 01/11/2012 01/11/2012 11/12/2012 01/01/2013 |
|
Bord na Móna |
Ms Denise Cronin Mr. John Horgan (Chairperson) Mr Gerard O’Donoghue Ms Elaine Treacy Mr Barry Walsh |
15/09/2011 24/04/2012 (as a Director) 27/09/2012 (as Chairperson) 02/10/2012 17/07/2012 16/10/2012 |
|
Bord Gais Eireann |
Mr Finbarr Kennelly |
11/12/2012 |
|
EirGrid |
Dr Gary Healy Ms Regina Moran Mr Liam O’Halloran Ms Bride Rosney Ms Doireann Barry |
15/09/2011 15/09/2011 15/09/2011 15/09/2011 22/12/2011 |
|
ESB |
Mr Lochlann Quinn (Chairman – reappointed) Mr Pat O’Doherty (CEO ex officio) Ms Noreen Wright Mr Seamus Mallon (reappointed) Ms Anne Butler |
21/01/2013 09/01/2013 28/06/2011 03/05/2011 13/11/2012 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) |
Mr Sean Fitzgerald (reappointed) Mr Vincent Caffrey (reappointed) Ms Aoife MacEvilly (reappointed) Mr Aidan Donnelly – Chairperson (reappointed) |
01/06/2011 01/06/2011 18/07/2012 18/07/2012 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) |
Ms Aoife MacEvilly Mr Pat Meehan CEO (ex officio) (reappointed) |
11/04/2011 01/01/2013 |
|
TG4 |
Mr. Micheál Seoighe Ms. Mairad Ní Cheoinín Mr. Joe Connolly Mr. Des Geraghty Ms. Andra Ní alaithe Ms Mairead Nic Suibhne Ms. Michelle Ní Chróinín Siún Ní Raghallaigh (Chairperson) |
17/04/2012 17/04/2012 17/04/2012 17/04/2012 17/04/2012 17/04/2012 17/04/2012 17/04/2012 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) |
Ms Julie O’Neill Mr. Edgar Morgenroth Mr. Michael Conlon Ms. Anne Farrell Mr. Declan Waugh Ms. Michelle Green Mr. Brian Carroll (reappointed) Mr. Brendan Halligan (re-appointed) (Chairperson) Dr Brian Motherway CEO (ex officio) |
15/09/2011 24/04/2012 15/09/2011 (but resigned on 21/08/2012) 24/04/2012 29/05/2012 29/05/2012 26/06/2012 01/10/2012 01/05/2012 |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) |
Mr. Paul Holden Mr. Seamus Ratigan Mr Leonard Donnelly (Chairperson - reappointed) |
29/05/2012 29/05/2012 24/11/12012 |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) |
Mr. Ronan O’Reilly (Chairperson) Ms. Anne Butler Mr. Robin Simpson Dr. Enda Howley Dr. Denis Kelliher Ms. Marion Coy Mr. Justin Gleeson Ms Sandra Ryan Mr. Padraic Jordan Mr. Oliver Hickey Mr Noel Ward |
22/05/2012 22/05/2012 (but resigned on 25/10/2012) 22/05/2012 22/05/2012 22/05/2012 22/05/2012 22/05/2012 22/05/201222/05/2012 19/06/2012 21/12/2012 |
|
The Mining Board |
Mr Michael Neary (reappointed) |
17/11/2011 |
