Written Answers Nos. 417-436
417. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline in tabular form the amount of travel and subsistence, both foreign and domestic, claimed individually by each Minister, Minister of State and Secretary General in her Department, for each year in the period 2005 to March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23822/13]
View answerDetails of the amount of travel and subsistence, both foreign and domestic, claimed by me and each Minister and Secretary General for the period from 1/1/2005 to 31/3/2011 are set out in the following tables:-
Minister Joan Burton (9/3/2011 to 31/3/2011)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
9/3/2011 – 31/3/2011 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
Minister Éamon Ó Cuív (23/3/2010 to 8/3/2011)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
23/3/2010 – 31/12/2010 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
1/1/2011 – 8/3/2011 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
Minister Mary Hanafin (7/5/2008 to 22/3/2010)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
7/5/2008 – 31/12/2008 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
1/1/2009 – 31/12/2009 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
1/1/2010 – 22/3/2010 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€253 |
Minister Martin Cullen (14/6/2007 to 6/5/2008)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
14/6/2007 – 31/12/2007 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
1/1/2008 – 6/5/2008 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€1,300 |
Minister Seamus Brennan (1/1/2005 to 13/6/2007)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
1/1/2005 – 31/12/2005 |
€0 |
€712 |
€0 |
€5,406 |
|
1/1/2006 – 31/12/2006 |
€0 |
€400 |
€0 |
€3,397 |
|
1/1/2007 – 13/6/2007 |
€0 |
€135 |
€0 |
€335 |
Secretary General – Niamh O’Donoghue (23/7/2010 to 31/3/2011)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
23/7/2010 – 31/12/2010 |
€596 |
€68 |
€0 |
€1,099 |
|
1/1/2011 – 31/3/2011 |
€176 |
€333 |
€0 |
€914 |
Secretary General – Bernadette Lacey (21/7/2007 to 22/7/2010)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
21/7/2007 – 31/12/2007 |
€200 |
€136 |
€195 |
€3,586 |
|
1/1/2008 – 31/12/2008 |
€206 |
€170 |
€79 |
€1,584 |
|
1/1/2009 – 31/12/2009 |
€485 |
€572 |
€21 |
€2,064 |
|
1/1/2010 – 22/7/2010 |
€258 |
€123 |
€0 |
€0 |
Secretary General – John Hynes (1/1/2005 to 20/7/2007)
|
Period |
Home Travel (Travel) |
Home Travel (Subsistence) |
Foreign Travel (Travel) |
Foreign Travel(Subsistence) |
|
1/1/2005 – 31/12/2005 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
1/1/2006 – 31/12/2006 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
1/1/2007 – 20/7/2007 |
€103 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
Travel expenses are claimed in the course of carrying out official duties and also for various work related requirements such as attending meetings and representing the Department.
418. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline in tabular form the number of staff appointed by each Minister and Minister of State in her Department or constituency office and their relevant costs including travel and subsistence, in each year for the period 2005 to March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23838/13]
View answerThe number of staff appointed by each Minister in my Department or Constituency Office and their relevant cost including travel and subsistence in each case for the period 2005 to March 2011 is set out in the following tabular statement.
|
PERIOD |
MINISTER |
SPECIAL ADVISERS / STAFF |
TOTAL |
|
24/3/2010 to 8/3/2011 |
Éamon Ó Cuív |
4 |
€270,134 |
|
8/5/2008 to 23/3/2010 |
Mary Hanafin |
4 |
€569,601 |
|
14/6/2007 to 7/5/2008 |
Martin Cullen |
4 |
€240,595 |
|
1/1/2005 to 13/6/2007 |
Seamus Brennan |
4 |
€722,400 |
1. There were no Ministers of State in my Department during the period in question.
2. All Ministers appointed 1 Special Adviser, 1 Press Adviser, 1 Personal Assistant and 1 Personal Secretary, with the exception of Minister Martin Cullen, who appointed a Personal Administrative Assistant instead of a Special Adviser.
3. Costs shown include salaries and wages inclusive of employer PRSI contributions and travel and subsistence payments.
421. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people removed from both invalidity pension and disability benefit in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23878/13]
View answerIllness Benefit Counts of Claims Closed / Following Action 2010 - 2012
|
Year |
Total Claims Closed |
Claims Closed Following Departmental Action |
% |
|
2010 |
277,878 |
5,129 |
1.85 |
|
2011 |
295,828 |
6,067 |
2.05 |
|
2012 |
291,361 |
4,837 |
1.66 |
Illness benefit claims closed following departmental action mainly refer to claimants no longer eligible following medically review.
Invalidity Claims Closed
2010-2012
|
Year |
Claims Closed |
|
2010 |
1,125 |
|
2011 |
1,692 |
|
2012 |
1,625 |
Claims closed include deceased claimants, claimants transferring to another social welfare payment and claimants no longer eligible following medical review.
Figures for invalidity claims closed do not include transfer from invalidity pension to state pension contributory at age 66.
422. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí cé na pleananna atá aici lena chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhís bus in aisce ar fáil ag oileánaigh a bhfuil pas saorthaistil acu óna Roinn agus atá ina gcónaí ar oileán Árann i gCo. na Gaillimhe; cé na fáthanna nach bhfuil seirbhís mar sin ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23891/13]
View answerTá breis is 745,000 custaiméir i dteideal saorthaistil i láthair na huaire agus nuair a chuirtear pasanna do chéilí agus do chompánaigh san áireamh cáilíonn breis is 1.1. milliún custaiméir do shaortaisteal. Sin 20% den daonra, nó geall leis. Shocraigh an Rialtas roimhe seo go gcoimeádfaí an caiteachas ar an scéim seo ar leibhéil na bliana 2010, agus tá €77 milliún curtha i leataobh le caitheamh ar an scéim saorthaistil sa bhliain 2013.
Is é cuspóir na scéime saorthaistil úsáid a bhaint as acmhainn bhreise ar sheirbhísí iompair atá inmharthana ó thaobh tráchtála de. An t-oibreoir deireanach ar Oileáin Árann a bhí páirteach sa scéim saorthaistil, tuigim gur scoir sé de sheirbhís a chur ar fáil i Meitheamh 2008 agus gur fhág sé an scéim leis sin. Ní bhfuarthas aon iarratas eile ó shin.
Tá méadú ag teacht ar líon na ndaoine a cháilíonn don scéim saorthaistil agus ar an mbrú ar chistiú, leis, mar sin iarradh ar mo Roinn athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an scéim, in éineacht leis an Roinn Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt, an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe agus an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Iompair. Táthar ag súil le toradh an athbhreithnithe sin a fháil i lár na bliana 2013. Scrúdófar oibriú na scéime saorthaistil i láthair na huaire agus an tslí a bhféadfaí an scéim a fhorbairt feasta, lena n-áirítear maoiniú na scéime, agus tuairisceofar dá réir.
423. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23898/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5 March 2013. 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 29 April 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.
425. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to allocating funding in order that persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance can train and qualify as special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24006/13]
View answerThe Department provides a range of second chance education opportunities for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities. The Department's objective in this area is to raise educational and skills level among the long term unemployed, in order to help them to meet the requirements of the labour market. The back to education programme was introduced to provide a comprehensive range of options from which an unemployed person can choose, or be directed to, the most appropriate for his/her needs. Amongst the supports available are the back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) and the part time education option (PTEO). These supports may be available to persons on qualifying social welfare payments. Courses leading to a qualification as a special needs assistant may be eligible for both these schemes.
A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the back to education allowance 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. BTEA is essentially a social welfare replacement income which is paid in lieu of the relevant social welfare payment that qualifies the applicant for participation in the scheme.
Courses of education from second level to Higher diploma level (H Dip) in any discipline (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or a Professional Diploma in Education (Primary and Secondary Teaching; level 8 in NFQ) are eligible courses. Some private colleges are recognised for back to education allowance purposes provided the course being pursued has HETAC , FETAC or Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) recognition.
However, if a person wishes to pursue a part time education course they may be able to do so while retaining their jobseekers payment under PTEO of the back to education programme. They must apply at their local social welfare office and verify that participation on the course does not reduce their availability for work and that they are genuinely seeking work.
The Department of Social Protection does not offer specific income supports for students outside of the back to education programme and there are no plans to provide additional funding other than the back to education programme for courses leading to a special need assistant qualification.
428. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the fact that the IMF ninth report on Ireland observed that unemployment and underemployment stands at 23% and the review called for plans to increase resources through redeployment or by engaging private sector firms should be pursued without delay, the steps being taken to develop Pathways to Work options to include private sector firms to assist, support and complement the current employment and advisory services; when he will publish the CESI report on activation services which was commissioned in November 2012; and when tenders will be issued for activation and support services under Pathways to Work. [24068/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my answer to his Questions Nos. 110 to 112, inclusive, of 8 May.
As I stated, the Pathways to Work policy provides for more regular and on-going engagement with jobseekers to enable them to return to employment through the provision of the most appropriate support interventions. In order to increase activation capacity the Department is considering the contracting of employment services to complement the existing capacity of the department. In that regard, the Department engaged the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (CESI) in November 2012 to provide expert advice and assistance with the design and delivery of a contracted employment service model. The consultants recently produced a report and this is currently being evaluated. I expect the evaluation to be completed in the near future. The question of tendering for the provision of additional activation services will be then considered by Government.
As part of its current employment service provision, the Department already contracts with external providers for the delivery of both the Local Employment Service (LES) and Job Clubs. Employment services, including career planning, engagement with employers and job search assistance, are provided under contract by these organisations to clients who are activated by the Department. The Department funds this contracted provision to the value of approximately €25m per annum and these organisations employ approximately 390 staff, who are engaged in the provision of these services.
In addition, the Department intends to significantly increase its own complement of activation case workers by redeploying staff from other activities. The number of such case workers should rise from c.300 to c.600 by the end of the year.
429. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the fact that pensioners who retire at 65 years will have to sign on the dole and search for work for a year before being allowed to claim the State pension; if she will clarify this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24083/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin in 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) thereby standardising State pension age for all to 66 years. The State pension age will be further increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
For workers who retire at 65 and who cannot or do not wish to remain in the workforce, the main social welfare payments available to those who leave employment before pension age are jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance. Persons aged between 65 and 66 years are generally entitled to receive payment up to the date on which they reach pensionable age (66 years). Any jobseeker’s benefit recipient may be subject to activation measures.
It should be noted that until the 1970s, the standard age for receipt of State pension was 70 years of age. Increasing longevity and significant improvements in health status mean that people can work longer to support themselves in retirement. Recent pension reforms including the raising of State pension age and the abolition of the State pension (transition) are necessary steps in ensuring the sustainability of pensions into the future. The recently published OECD report on the Review of the Irish Pension System confirms that reforms are necessary if we are to continue to put pension provision on a sustainable footing given the changes in demographics, the deficit in the Social Insurance Fund, and the difficult fiscal situation.
430. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is only a 2.5 day service provided in a Citizens Information Service instead of a full time service in a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24143/13]
View answerDonegal Citizens Information Service (CIS) is funded through the Citizens Information Board to provide information, advice and advocacy services to the citizens of Co. Donegal. There are offices in Ballyshannon, Letterkenny, Buncrana, Carndonagh, Dungloe, Milford and Donegal Town as well as a number of outreach services.
Between 2002 and February 2011, a full time information officer service was provided in Buncrana. The combination of funding available under the Jobs Initiative Scheme operated by Inishowen Development Partnership Ltd and a funding allocation from Donegal CIS equivalent to a 0.5 post allowed for the delivery of a service five days a week in Buncrana Citizens Information Centre.
Since February 2011, the Jobs Initiative Scheme resource is no longer available. In order to provide a service in Buncrana, Donegal CIS reallocated resources to provide cover on two days each week pending recruitment to fill the 0.5 post allocated to the Centre. Following recruitment in October, a part-time Information Officer has now been permanently allocated to the Buncrana office so that a service can be provided on three days per week. In addition to this permanent part time Information Officer, a second Information Officer works in Buncrana CIS for 1.5 days per week.
Information and assistance on the range of services and schemes offered by my Department can be obtained in Buncrana Social Welfare Local Office.
Donegal CIS also provides targeted information sessions to local groups and communities where a need is identified or to meet specific requests.
The Citizens Information Board operates a national helpline, telephone 0761 07 4000, which provides a comprehensive and confidential information service to people throughout the country, Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm. Further information is provided on a broad range of subjects on the citizen’s information website www.citizensinformation.ie, which aims to meet customer demands for fast, easy access to comprehensive information on rights and entitlements.
While the number of callers to the service has increased by approximately 8% in recent months, local management, by actively monitoring demand and keeping the level of service under ongoing review, is satisfied that the current level of available resources allocated to Buncrana CIS is adequate to meet service needs.
431. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of taxi drivers who are claiming social welfare benefits due to the lack of work in this industry; if the figure of 8% is the correct number of taxi drivers on social welfare benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24144/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not collated by my Department.
432. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for supplementary welfare allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24212/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 May 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.
433. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons formerly employed in the construction trade categories who are in receipt of unemployment benefit; the breakdown of these people by category; the number currently looking for work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24217/13]
View answerThe total number of persons in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit at the end of April 2013 was 78,414; of this total, 13,402 had occupations in construction trade categories. A qualifying condition of the jobseeker’s benefit scheme is that all recipients must be genuinely seeking work in order to qualify for payment. The following table details the breakdown of this number by category for the Deputy’s information.
|
Category |
Number |
Percentage of Total Jobseeker’s Benefit Recipients |
|
Architects, Town Planners and Surveyors |
210 |
0.3% |
|
Construction Trades |
4,930 |
6.3% |
|
Draughtspersons, Quantity and Other Surveyors |
97 |
0.1% |
|
Electrical/Electronic Trades |
1,018 |
1.3% |
|
Engineers and Technologists |
1,112 |
1.4% |
|
Metal Forming, Welding and Related Trades |
554 |
0.7% |
|
Metal Machining, Fitting and Instrument Making Trades |
791 |
1.0% |
|
Metal Making and Treating Workers |
16 |
0.0% |
|
Metal Working Process Workers |
64 |
0.1% |
|
Other Craft and Related Occupations not elsewhere classified |
690 |
0.9% |
|
Other Occupations in Construction |
1,145 |
1.5% |
|
Other Occupations in Mining and Manufacturing |
41 |
0.1% |
|
Road Transport Workers |
1,711 |
2.2% |
|
Woodworking Trades |
1,023 |
1.3% |
|
Total |
13,402 |
17.1% |
434. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the domiciliary care allowance was removed from a child (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24225/13]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 7th February 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 5th March 2012 advising of the decision not to allow the application. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision and she was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 17th December 2012 that the appeal was disallowed.
The decision/appeal process for this application is now complete. If the person concerned has additional information which was not made available to the deciding and appeals officers when they made their decisions, or if circumstances have changed, it is open to her to re-apply for the allowance at any time.
435. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline in tabular form on a report by report basis, the fees that have been paid, or payments outstanding, to Indecon for publishing various report for her Department from 2011 to date in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24240/13]
View answerIndecon International Economic Consultants were retained, following a tender process, by the Department of Social Protection in 2012 to undertake an evaluation of the JobBridge scheme. Indecon has not been retained for any other purpose. As the price submitted by Indecon was submitted as part of a competitive tender process and is considered commercially confidential, I will not disclose the fee at this time. I am aware Deputy that the fee was competitive and that the work of Indecon was produced to a high standard.
436. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the refusal of invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if she will confirm the grounds on which the medical officer who examined the application decided this person was capable of work of any nature; if she will confirm the type of work she or her medical officer would recommend for this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24265/13]
View answerAll medical assessments and medical reviews are undertaken by fully qualified medical practitioners who have experience and specialist training/qualifications in occupational medicine as well as in human disability evaluation. Desk assessments of eligibility are based on medical reports and other evidence furnished by the applicant and the applicant’s treating physician. The assessment is made in accordance with the Department's evidence based medical guidelines and protocols. Applicants who are not satisfied with a given decision have the right to request a review of that decision by a deciding officer or of appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office.
In the case of the person named, all medical evidence submitted was taken into account and given full consideration by my Department’s Medical Assessors at the Claim application stage and also at a subsequent review of that decision. The person concerned still has the right of appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office. Eligibility for Invalidity Pension is determined by the severity and expected duration of the medical condition. Invalidity Pension would be awarded if the medical condition incapacitated the customer from all categories of work. Monocular vision would not be a contraindication for all categories of work such as:
Light/semi-skilled – Receptionist;
Light/lesser skilled – Shop Assistant/Caretaker.
