Written Answers Nos. 112 - 120
112. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected enrolment in primary schools in Kenmare, County Kerry, for 2013, 2014 and 2015; the percentage increase or decrease in the projected enrolments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12031/13]
View answerThe overall enrolment in primary schools in the Kenmare feeder area in 2011 was 729 pupils and the projected overall enrolment for 2015 is 747 pupils. This represents an slight increase of 2%.
113. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will improve education centres' access to high-speed broadband particularly in the western region in view of the fact that they require adequate upload and download speeds for e-learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4682/13]
View answerEducation Centres are statutory bodies and are managed by voluntary Management Committees which are elected annually. Education Centres are the delivery mechanism for the delivery of CPD for teachers throughout the country. Centres also organise a varied local programme of activities for teachers, school management and parents in response to demand. The Education Centres are funded by my Department and budgets include provision for broadband access. My Department is in the process of reviewing the quality of broadband connections in the 21 centres. The Department has requested submissions from some Education Centres as to the need for higher broadband speeds however to date none have been received.
114. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he proposes to address the skill deficit here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3319/13]
View answerThe Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, which is funded by my Department, plays a key role in advising on future skills needs and any emerging gaps. Its research provides a valuable input to the development of course curricula and has also informed the development of new competitive funding models of provision to address emerging skills needs. The Springboard programme targets funding of free part time higher education courses for unemployed people in areas where there are identified skills shortages. More than 10,000 places have been provided under the two rounds of the programme to date. A new call for proposals for courses to be run under the programme in 2013 issued to higher education providers at the end of February.
The joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan has been developed as a direct response to identified ICT skills shortages and contains a comprehensive range of measures to build the domestic supply of ICT graduates, including through the roll out of graduate skills conversion courses. In February 2013 more than 760 new places were made available on the conversion courses in higher education institutions around the country. This is in addition to the more than 700 places that were provided in 2012. 6,500 training places are currently being rolled out for unemployed people under the Momentum programme. The training, which is aligned up to levels 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications, is targeted at areas of labour market demand and there is a particular focus on the needs of unemployed people under the age of 25. Funding is also provided to Skillnets, where the development of training is led by representatives of industry ensuring that training provision meets the needs of the sector.
In addition, a range of recommendations to ensure the system continues to respond to enterprise needs is being implemented through the National Strategy for Higher Education. The creation of a new further education and training authority, SOLAS, will also ensure a focus on the evolving skills requirements of industry.
115. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding pension payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11727/13]
View answerIt would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases. However, as I have indicated, the intention is that staff retiring before the end of August, 2014 will have their pension and lump sum calculated by reference to the current pay rates, that is, the rates before the pay reductions which will apply from 1 July, 2013 to pay rates above €65,000.
116. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the old pavilion in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, at the 15 acres, will be rebuilt; if the Office of Public Works is satisfied with the repair work carried out to the damaged ground following concerts in the park last year; and if there are plans to upgrade the Magazine Fort in any way in the future. [11724/13]
View answerThe old pavilion was removed on the grounds of public safety as the owner of the building, Dublin County GAA Board, was not in a position to maintain or repair the building. Parts of the building had collapsed and were a danger to the public. There are no plans to replace the building. OPW is satisfied with the repair works undertaken on the concert site. The OPW will continue to secure and maintain the Magazine Fort and has plans to enable appropriate public access when funding allows.
117. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the recent negotiations on a new public sector pay deal, if he will outline the way negotiations were conducted with representative bodies that do not for legal reasons have union status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11867/13]
View answerThe Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement was an Industrial Relations Agreement negotiated and agreed between public service employers and the public service committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as representatives of employees in the public service. For associations who are not affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, a parallel process of discussion and negotiation was made available. Negotiations giving rise to the recent proposals for agreement made by the Labour Relations Commission were conducted on a similar basis. The proposals for agreement are available for consideration by all public service employees.
The Government as an employer does not negotiate on the terms and conditions of employment of public servants with bodies with no legal entitlement to do so or that are not recognised as having representation rights for any particular group.
118. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is an existing contractual commitment to a site at Bailieborough, County Cavan, for a proposed new Garda station; if so, when was it completed; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11923/13]
View answerNo contractual commitment has been made to purchase a site for a new Garda Station at Bailieborough, County Cavan. Acquisition of sites for Garda Stations is a matter for the Office of Public Works in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. The position at Bailieborough, County Cavan will continue to be reviewed in the context of the priority accorded to it by An Garda Síochána and subject to the availability of funding, which is extremely limited.
119. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will correct the jobs action plan which claims that 12,000 net jobs were created in the private sector, to reflect the findings of the Central Statistics Office in the recent quarterly household survey that found the number of employees in the private sector reduced by 400 during the year. [11807/13]
View answerThe latest Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) issued by the Central Statistics Office covers the Fourth Quarter of 2012 and was published on 27 February 2013. The QNHS shows that there was an overall increase in employment year-on-year across the economy of 1,200 people. While this is a modest increase in overall terms, it is the first annual increase in employment recorded since the Second Quarter of 2008. This follows on from seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter increases in employment of 3,900 in Quarter 2 2012, and 2,200 in Quarter 3 2012.
The reference, in the Deputy’s question, to a reduction of 400 employees in the private sector seems to relate to Table A3 of the QNHS. This table provides an indication of the number of employees in the public sector and the private sector, based on the CSO’s Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey. However, the figures published in this table do not include all persons in employment in the private sector. For example, they exclude employees in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries sector, and those who are self-employed. Figures provided elsewhere in the QNHS show an increase in employment in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries sector year-on-year. The number of people who are self-employed also increased year-on-year. There may, of course be some overlap between these two categories.
What is clear is that the number of people employed in the public sector, as set out in Table A3, has declined considerably as part of the Government’s Public Sector Reform Plan, while employment numbers are increasing in the private sector, as reflected in the headline QNHS figures. In addition, the increase in employment numbers in the private sector which are referenced in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 are supported by the job creation figures of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, who between them supported the creation of almost 10,000 net extra jobs in 2012. Employment also increased in sectors outside the normal remit of the enterprise agencies, such as wholesale and retail.
120. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to see the creation of the seed and venture capital scheme as referred to in the Action Plan for Jobs; if he has established thresholds for applicants to the scheme; if the creation of this scheme will require legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12003/13]
View answerThe Government’s intention for a new Seed and Venture Capital Scheme was announced as part of Budget 2013. In line with the commitment in Action 71 of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 the first call for expressions of interest under the proposed Scheme will be publicly issued before the end of Q2. This expression of interest process will be targeted at venture capital fund managers. The proposed Scheme does not require legislation. Under Section 7(1)(i) of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998 a Scheme document will be approved by me and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This document will give Enterprise Ireland the legal authority to administer the Scheme. Enterprise Ireland in consultation with my Department will then determine the relevant thresholds and criteria for each call for expressions of interest under the Scheme as they are issued.
121. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the number per county who applied for innovation vouchers in 2012; the number of those who were successful; the total amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12010/13]
View answerEnterprise Ireland approved a total of 768 Innovation Vouchers in 2012. A breakdown of vouchers approved by county is provided in the following table. The total amount of funding approved in 2012 was €3,840,000. It is not possible to supply details of non-successful voucher applications by location, as only those applications that pass basic eligibility criteria are uploaded onto Enterprise Ireland’s database. Enterprise Ireland awards the vouchers following a review of both the eligibility of the applicant and the knowledge question. Typically 70% to 80% of applications are successful. The three main reasons for turning down applications are; insufficient information, ineligible activity and low level of innovation.
|
County |
2012 |
|
Carlow |
12 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
|
Clare |
25 |
|
Cork |
68 |
|
Donegal |
19 |
|
Dublin City & County |
256 |
|
Galway |
58 |
|
Kerry |
19 |
|
Kildare |
19 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
|
Laois |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
10 |
|
Limerick |
45 |
|
Longford |
5 |
|
Louth |
17 |
|
Mayo |
18 |
|
Meath |
12 |
|
Monaghan |
14 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
|
Sligo |
12 |
|
Tipperary North |
9 |
|
Tipperary South |
5 |
|
Waterford |
40 |
|
Westmeath |
11 |
|
Wexford |
27 |
|
Wicklow |
19 |
|
Total Number Approved |
768 |
122. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to see a single web-based portal for the registration of licences by retailers established; if he envisages that this will require legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12012/13]
View answerThe Forfás report on "The Review and Audit of Licences" recommended the introduction of an integrated licensing system. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs considered an action plan for the introduction of such a system at meetings in December 2012 and January 2013 and agreed that an integrated licensing system for the retail sector be delivered by the end of this year. The Government considers this project to be of significant importance and it is included as a Disruptive Reform in the recently published Action Plan for Jobs 2013. Such an integrated licensing system is a reformative step in reducing the administrative burdens for business.
Delivering an integrated licensing system, in the first instance for the retail sector, will require the firm and ongoing commitment and engagement of the relevant licensing authorities to work closely with my Department and with Forfás. A list of 30 core licences for the retail sector have been identified for the initial stages of this project involving up to 16 licensing authorities. My colleague, Minister John Perry, has invited all these authorities at the highest level to become members of the Steering Group for this project; the Steering Group will begin meeting shortly. Minister Perry will chair this group.
Furthermore, an audit of the statutory obligations and required administrative processes of those core licences identified for the retail sector is underway. This audit includes: a review of all the information that is required for each licence in terms of application, renewal and compliance; an assessment/understanding of the current systems for approval, authorisation, record keeping, security and personnel engaged; further analysis to identify those licences that can be amalgamated/integrated, and a review of the current underpinning IT frameworks. The outputs of this audit process will inform whether any legislative change is required as well as the definition of an integrated licence management system that will include the technical infrastructure design, the detailed system design and security and risk analysis.
123. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 332 of 26 February 2013, when it is expected that consideration of the matter will be completed; and when his Department will be in contact again with the person. [11711/13]
View answerThe Government has provided various types of support to people affected by the November 2009 flooding. Humanitarian Aid payments were made, both in the immediate aftermath of the flooding and subsequently, to enable eligible households to resume living at their home. Subject to certain conditions the Government also decided to provide support to a small number of families who are continuing to experience significant housing problems as a result of the November 2009 flooding and are considering the possibility of relocating rather than resuming living at their original home. The legal agreement necessary for the purpose of this scheme issued to the householders on 5 December 2012. A number of documents, including signed legal agreements, were recently received from the person concerned and are being considered in the Department in consultation with the Department’s legal advisors. It is not possible to specify the timeframe within which this matter will be finalised. However, I can assure the Deputy that officials in the Department are making every effort to progress the matter and will be in contact with the person concerned as soon as possible.
124. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for invalidity or disability benefit waiting for a decision including appeals for a period in excess of two years; if she considers such a time period acceptable; and the steps she will take to deal with this matter. [11713/13]
View answerInvalidity pension section currently has 88 claims awaiting an initial decision for a period in excess of two years. It is not possible to provide an exact breakdown of these cases but it is reasonable to believe that the majority of these are cases which fall to be decided under EU regulations or bi-lateral agreements. These cases are more complex and take considerably longer to process. Invalidity pension section has been involved in a business process improvement review and backlog elimination programme. This programme has led to a significant reduction in the number of invalidity pension claims awaiting decision, down from 7,007 claims at end May 2012 to 2593 claims at the end of February 2013. In addition, new claims are now processed on receipt with a decision being made based on information provided or, if this is not possible, further medical evidence or additional information is requested and a decision is made on receipt.
As a consequence of the very high number of decisions made in the last 9 months, there has been a corresponding substantial increase in the number of appeals being received. Invalidity pension section is now focussed on reducing the backlog in the appeals area. Illness benefit section currently has no claims pending on the system for a period in excess of two years. With regard to appeals in both schemes, the number of open appeals of illness benefit and invalidity pension registered on or before 4 March 2011 is given in the table.
|
Scheme Type |
No. of appeals registered before 4th March, 2011 |
No. registered before 4th March, 2011 as a percentage of total of Appeals open |
|
Illness Benefit |
185 |
13.8% |
|
Invalidity |
66 |
1.6% |
These represent the most protracted cases. Appeals where medical grounds are identified as an issue under appeal are referred in the first instance to the Department's medical assessors for a second medical assessment and any further investigation, examination or assessment that is deemed necessary. If, after a second medical examination, an applicant is still deemed not to meet the qualifying criteria, the appeal proceeds by assignment to an appeals officer. Delays have developed in the processing of medical assessments and reviews due to a combination of factors including the increased workload for medical assessors and the reduced number of medical assessors due to retirements. The Department is addressing this issue and has recently run a competition to establish a new panel of medical assessors. Three new medical assessors were appointed from this panel and all commenced work in November 2012. It is expected that a further 8 medical assessors will be appointed from the panel in the near future.
By its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial process, the processing of appeals takes time even at the best of times and reflects the fact that while every effort is made to deal with appeals as fast as possible this cannot be at the expense of fairness or due process. Processing times of appeals reduced by 10.3 weeks overall in 2012 as compared to 2011. Of course, further improvement is needed. In that regard, the Chief Appeals Officer expects to finalise 6,000 more cases in 2013 than in 2012. There were 32,558 cases finalised in 2012. Any undue delays in the claim and appeal process are regretted. The Department has and will continue to implement measures to reduce the waiting time for applicants and appellants.
125. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an appeal for jobseeker's allowance will be made by the deciding officer in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11714/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, allowed the appeal in this case. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer 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.
126. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on the appeal for invalidity pension will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11774/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal from the person concerned has not been received by that office. 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.
127. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a one-parent family payment was suspended in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if the claim will be put back into payment as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11776/13]
View answerThe person concerned is in on-going contact with her Social Welfare Local Office and is providing additional information relating to her circumstances. In the context of the discussions arising from these circumstances her payment will be regularised.
128. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Laois may expect a decision on an application for disability allowance. [11777/13]
View answerThe person concerned applied for disability allowance on 28 March 2012. The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 3 July 2012. The person submitted further medical evidence in support of her application and following a review of her claim there was no change to the original decision. The person was notified in writing of this outcome on 28 January 2013. The person subsequently appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted additional evidence in support. In accordance with procedures, the department has referred all the medical evidence received to a different medical assessor for review. When the deciding officer receives the opinion of the medical assessor they will either revise the original decision or refer the papers to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.
129. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a participant of a community employment scheme is ineligible from applying for a position as a Tús scheme supervisor when a Tús participant is eligible to apply; the grounds on which a community employment participant is prevented from applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11862/13]
View answerEligibility for supervisory/team leader positions on Tús is the same for participants, i.e. it is confined to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance at the time of application. Eligibility for the Tús Supervisor/Team Leader position also includes person who are engaged on Tús at the time of application. A person on a community employment scheme does not meet the criteria as they are not in receipt of a jobseekers payment. Tús is focused on those on the Live Register for a year or more and have more limited job opportunities.
