Written Answers Nos. 602-619
602. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if any person who was previously self-employed and who was refused jobseeker's allowance by virtue of the means test is included in her Department's official figures as an unemployed person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37424/13]
View answerA small number of disallowed jobseekers claims are included in the live register published total each month. There were 687 such disallowed claimants in the end August 2013 live register count. This figure does not include any claimants in the self-employed jobseekers category as this group is excluded from the live register.
603. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection to set out the current status of the ESB occupational pension scheme, specifically the contributory defined benefit pension scheme; the date on which the scheme was changed to a defined contribution scheme; if she will outline the details regarding the Pensions Board winding up the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37453/13]
View answerI cannot comment on issues relating to a particular pension scheme. The Pensions Board supervises the regulation of individual schemes in accordance with the Pensions Act.
604. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the total cost of all media advertising to her Department for each of the past five years; the efforts her Department is making to ensure that local media both print and radio are being supported as well as national media by her Department's budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37484/13]
View answerThe total amount spent on all media advertising in the last five years is outlined in the following table:
|
Total Cost of Media Advertising 2009 – 2013 to date |
|||||
|
Year |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 (To date) |
|
Expenditure (€) |
198,000 |
141,000 |
115,000 |
123,000 |
33,000 |
Expenditure on advertising by the Department falls into two main categories: routine newspaper advertising such as advising the public of permanent or temporary office closures and relocations, recruitment to local and branch offices, Christmas arrangements; and advertising to promote awareness of specific schemes and services which may include campaigns on radio, television and in the print media.
There have been no major advertising campaigns in recent years and expenditure incurred since 2009 relates mainly to print advertising. In recent years, the Department has increased its use of other media channels to disseminate information to reach a wider audience and minimise expenditure on advertising. These channels include press releases, website updates on www.welfare.ie and, more recently, information updates through the use of twitter. Where print media advertising is required, the Department ensures inclusion of any relevant local press together with the national press where appropriate.
605. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of all bodies, boards or committees under the remit of her Department to which ministerial appointments are made; the statutory provision providing for the making of such appointments in each case; the annual allowances or other payments made to the chairperson; the annual allowance or other payment made to an ordinary member; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37499/13]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Citizens Information Board
The legislative provisions relating to the Citizens Information Board (C.I.B.) are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000 and Citizens Information Act 2007.
The annual allowance payable in respect of the chairperson is €8,978 and in respect of ordinary members is €5,985. The current chairperson and one of the ordinary Board members do not draw down fees associated with their position on the Board. The C.I.B. staff representative and the Departmental representative are not eligible to receive any payments.
In addition, Board members are entitled to claim such travel and subsistence as is necessary to facilitate them to attend board and/or other committee meetings, or to transact its business, subject to provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Travel and Subsistence Policy.
Pensions Board
The Pensions Act 1990 (as amended) provides for the establishment of the Pensions Board and for the appointment of Board members. The Chairperson of the Pensions Board receives a fee of €11,970 per annum with ordinary members receiving €7,695 per annum. Civil Servants on the Board do not receive any fees and furthermore it should be noted that some members of the Board have waived their fees.
The Public Service Reform Programme provided for a critical review of the integration of the regulatory functions of the Pensions Board with the Financial Regulator and the merging of the Pensions Ombudsman with the Financial Services Ombudsman.
The recommendations arising out of the Critical Review on the Pensions Board were approved by Government in April 2013 and were provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2013.
The governance structure of the Pensions Board is being restructured with two distinct arms as follows:
- Oversight of the Pensions Board will be undertaken by a three person body called the Pensions Authority, and
- A separate unpaid Pensions Council, with a majority of members representing consumer interests, will advise the Minister on pensions policy.
Under existing provision in the Pensions Act, the Chair and members are appointed by the Minister.
Social Welfare Tribunal
Section 333 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 sets out the provisions under which appointments are made to the Social Welfare Tribunal. It provides that the Tribunal consists of a chairman and four ordinary members. The members of the Tribunal are appointed by the Minister.
Members of the Tribunal do not receive a salary although attendance fees are payable for hearings and meetings. Members are also entitled to standard travel and subsistence allowances if appropriate. The fees payable to the members of the Tribunal are listed below.
Chairman: €488.11 per sitting day - €73.44 for meetings
Ordinary Member: €136.71 per sitting day - €68.36 for meetings.
606. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the boards, bodies or committees under the remit of her Department where there is currently a vacancy to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of vacancies in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37514/13]
View answer607. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the bodies, boards or committees under the remit of her Department where there is anticipated to be a vacancy within the next six months to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the anticipated vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of anticipated vacancies in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37529/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 607 together.
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Citizens Information Board
There are currently two vacancies on the Citizens Information Board. Both vacancies relate to ordinary board members. A public request for expressions of interest resulted in 76 applications being received through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Appointments will be made in accordance with the legislation on completion of the selection process. No further vacancies are anticipated within the next six months.
Pensions Board
Following from the Critical Review of the Pensions Board under the Public Service Reform Plan, the governance structure of the Pensions Board is in the process of changing to form two bodies:
the Pensions Authority, a three person body which will have oversight of the Pensions Board; and a separate unpaid Pensions Council, with a majority of members representing consumer interests, which will advise the Minister on pensions policy.
Under existing provision in the Pensions Act, the Chair and members are filled by Ministerial appointment and this will continue to apply to the new structures. It is expected that vacancies for the Pensions Council will be advertised through PAS in the coming months.
Social Welfare Tribunal
There are no current vacancies on the Board of the Social Welfare Tribunal and it is not anticipated that one will become available within the next six months.
608. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension appeal will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will expedite an answer. [37536/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 30 August 20103, 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.
609. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be accepted on a course funded by Momentum. [37537/13]
View answerIn line with the commitments given in Pathways to Work, eligibility for the Momentum initiative is targeted at the long term unemployed. To qualify for a momentum course a person must be unemployed and on the live register for 312 days or longer. Periods spent on a FÁS course may count towards meeting the eligibility criteria provided the person has completed the scheme and is back on the live register.
The person concerned had 97 days of registered unemployment up to the 17th April 2013 when he commenced a FÁS course. When the period on the FÁS course is included he currently has approximately 230 days of unemployment and he therefore does not qualify for a momentum course.
610. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans in relation to retaining the half rate carer's allowance at its current rate; if she plans to change this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37539/13]
View answerNo decisions have yet been taken by the government in relation to social welfare expenditure for next year, and any such decisions in relation to specific social welfare schemes will be a matter for the Budget.
611. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person signing for credits who applied for a commmunity employment scheme was told that they were not eligible for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37577/13]
View answerThe aim of Community Employment (CE) remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment and/or further education and training. The core eligibility criterion for CE is that the person is in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a year or more.
At present, persons signing for credits or who are otherwise ineligible for a social welfare payment, do not meet the current eligibility requirements for participation on the CE Scheme. They may, however, be eligible for participation on other Departmental programmes or FÁS programmes.
Such persons are advised to contact their local DSP Employment Services Office or Intreo Office where an Employment Services Officer will discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.
612. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of firms that have taken on persons as part of the jobsplus scheme since its launch date; the number of persons that have recently become employed through this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37579/13]
View answerJobsPlus was launched on 8th of July 2013. This is a new incentive to encourage employers to recruit and employ persons who have been unemployed for long periods. This incentive replaced this Department’s Employer Job PRSI Incentive Scheme and the Revenue Job Assist Scheme. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and creating a full time position, employers will receive a direct cash incentive over two years if the person they hire has been unemployed for a prolonged period. The level of payment is higher where a person who has been unemployed for a longer period is recruited and retained.
Since the launch date to Friday 13th September 2013 the Department had received and processed applications from 1,020 employers. Over the same period, applications from 1,928 Jobseekers have been received. At present, 330 eligible employers and eligible jobseeker have been matched. Of these, 250 employment contracts commenced in July and August with grant payments having been made in 85 of these cases as of 13th September 2013.
Further information regarding the scheme can be found at www.jobsplus.ie.
613. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37583/13]
View answer649. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38035/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 649 together.
I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 6th August 2013. A letter issued on 11th September 2013 requesting additional information in relation to the means assessment which was not supplied with the application. As soon as this information is received it will be processed by a deciding officer and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
614. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection if receipt of a UK winter fuel payment will have any effect on eligibility for fuel allowance here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37591/13]
View answerThe United Kingdom winter fuel payment is an annual tax-free payment made to eligible people to help towards their winter heating costs. It is a lump sum and in most cases is paid automatically, but some people need to claim. The total amount of winter fuel payment can vary from £100 - £300 sterling having regard to age and household composition. Most payments are made between mid-November and December in a given year.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that people living outside the UK may be paid the winter fuel payment where they can demonstrate a “genuine and sufficient link” to the UK’s social security system.
The UK winter fuel allowance is contribution based and, as an entitlement has been established, then the UK would have first responsibility to pay the allowance. As the fuel allowance here is a means tested payment, which is paid on the basis that an applicant is unable to provide for his or her own heating needs, we would have to take account of the receipt of the UK payment in assessing eligibility. This position applies in relation to all other payments received from countries which impact on social welfare payments.
615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in respect of an appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37608/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 July 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the appeal in question 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.
616. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in determination of an application for widow's pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37610/13]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded a widow(er)’s/surviving civil partner’s contributory pension with effect from 16th August 2013 and arrears due have also been paid.
617. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason disability allowance was refused on appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37611/13]
View answerAn application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on 24th July 2012. The medical evidence submitted with the application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who was of the opinion that the person did not satisfy the medical conditions for receipt of the allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and refused the application and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 16th October 2012.
The person subsequently appealed the decision to the Chief Appeal’s Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). On 30 July 2013 an appeals officer, having considered all the evidence furnished by the person, disallowed the appeal and the person was notified by the SWAO of this decision on 19 August 2013.
An appeals officer’s decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.
618. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment may be given in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37614/13]
View answerNo recent application for an exceptional needs payment has been received from the person concerned. He should contact his local community welfare service office.
619. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an assurance that carers will not be subject to further cuts in Budget 2014; that income supports will be protected for those in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and half rate carer's allowance in Budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37617/13]
View answerThe Revised Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure of nearly €776 million in 2013 on income supports for carers. There were almost 58,000 recipients of carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit, and just over 25,200 people in receipt of domiciliary care allowance, at the end of July 2013.
In relation to the forthcoming Budget, the Deputy will be aware that the Expenditure Report 2013 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform last December provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €440 million to be achieved in 2014 in the Department of Social Protection budget.
The Government have not made any decisions in relation to measures to be introduced in Budget 2014. The Government will finalise its consideration of the Budget in the coming weeks having regard to all of its commitments, including the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain welfare rates. The outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.
