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Tuesday, 8 Oct 2013

Written Answers Nos. 330-348

Pension Provisions

Questions (330)

Willie Penrose

Question:

330. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the payments available to a person who will be 65 years old in February 2014, and who has to retire upon the grounds of ill health; the transitional provisions that would apply to them until their 67th birthday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42346/13]

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Written answers

Short term social welfare schemes are payable to age 66, including illness benefit. Each application for any social welfare scheme, including the illness schemes, is assessed on its own merit in terms of qualifying criteria and contribution history. Where a person fails to meet the qualifying conditions of an insurance based scheme, the means tested assistance payment may be available provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions including a means test. In order to provide for sustainable pensions and to facilitate a longer working life, the Government decided to increase State pension age in three separate stages. This decision to reform State pension was taken in the context of changing demographics and increasing longevity. Accordingly, in 2014, the State pension age will be standardised at 66. This will be increased to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028. This will see the abolition of the State pension transition payment from 2014.

The Deputy may wish to note that significant numbers of people are on social welfare schemes well in advance of State pension age. For example, in 2012, 11,130 people were awarded State pension transition and of these, 12.5% (1,390) came from employment with some 50% (5,635) coming from another social welfare payment including illness related schemes, indicating that quite a number of number of people are already in the social welfare system in advance of State pension age.

With the changes to State pension, social welfare support will continue to be available and targeted at those most in need.

Question No. 331 withdrawn.

Social Welfare Code Review

Questions (332)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

332. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and location of social welfare offices currently delivering the full Intreo service; the locations of the expected 43 offices to be delivering the service by the end of 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42356/13]

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Written answers

The delivery of the Intreo service comprises a number of elements. The main elements being:

i. The integration of the various welfare decision making processes to speed up decision making and minimise recourse to supplementary welfare payments;

ii. The introduction of a profiling process to capture the unique characteristics and service requirements of each jobseeker;

iii. The implementation of a systematic group activation engagement and one to one process based on clients’ profiles;

iv. The delivery of a ‘one-stop-shop’ service from an integrated office location.;

Elements (i) to (iii) are being rolled out, are already in place in many offices and will be in place in all offices by the end of the year.

The delivery of over 60 One-Stop-Shop Intreo Offices is a major property project for the Office of Public Works which is responsible for the provision of the Department’s property requirements, including refurbishment and fit out works.

The Intreo Project requires the acquisition and development of some new properties and the re-modelling and refurbishment of others. All of this also entails the re-accomodation of staff including the transfer and set-up of IT, furniture and other utilities across multiple locations.

Notwithstanding the complexity of such a large property programme, the OPW have handed over sixteen offices to date and have committed to handing over a further 27 offices by the end of the year. The sixteen offices handed over to date are: Achill, Arklow, Ballymun, Blanchardstown, Buncrana, Clifden, Coolock, Dundalk, Finglas, Killarney, Kings Inn Street (Dublin), Loughrea, Manorhamilton, Newcastlewest, Sligo, and Tallaght. The offices, which subject to the completion of the necessary property works are due to be handed over by the end of the year are Athlone, Ballina, Ballyfermot, Belmullet, Bray, Caherciveen, Carlow, Carrick-on-Shannon, Castlebar, Cavan, Cobh, Drogheda, Dun Laoghaire, Dunfanaghy, Dungloe, Ennis, Kenmare, Kilbarrack, Kilkenny, Limerick, Listowel, Longford, Navan Road (Dublin), Tralee, Tullamore, Waterford and Wexford.

Dental Services Expenditure

Questions (333)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

333. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding provided under the PRSI scheme for dental treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42401/13]

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Written answers

The treatment benefit scheme is funded through PRSI contributions, with payments made to dentists on the basis of demand from qualified PRSI contributors for the free annual examination. The cost of the dental benefit scheme for each of the past two complete years is set out in the table below:

Year

Cost

2011

€9.15 million

2012

€8.94 million

Dental Services Expenditure

Questions (334)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

334. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers and proportions of eligible persons covered by PRSI that avail of the entitlement to a free dental examination each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42402/13]

View answer

Written answers

In 2012, the estimated number of people eligible for this Department’s dental benefit scheme was 2.2 million (qualifying either on their own PRSI or on their spouses’). Dental benefit was actually claimed by 270,602 people in 2012, equating to 12.3% of the eligible population.

Question No. 335 answered with Question No. 321.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (336)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

336. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter regarding ten solutions for a smarter future (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42437/13]

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Written answers

The Government is committed to helping one-parent families to become economically independent. Under Pathways to Work 2013, the Department is developing proposals for the extension of activation interventions, such as profiling and personal engagements, to customers of the Department who are not on the Live Register, including lone parents. These proposals are due to be finalised by the first quarter of 2014.

The Department is in the process of introducing a series of reforms to the one-parent family payment (OFP) scheme. These reforms are predicated on activation and on getting people back into the workforce once their children have reached an appropriate age. A wide range of supports and services are presently available to lone parents who are clients of my Department and who pro-actively engage with the Department’s activation process.

The recently introduced jobseeker’s allowance transitional arrangement caters for OFP recipients who lose their entitlement to the OFP payment from July, 2013, onwards, who have a youngest child aged under 14 years, and who are entitled to the jobseeker’s allowance (JA) payment. These customers are exempt from the JA conditionality that requires them to be available for, and genuinely seeking, full-time work. They are also exempt from having to prove unemployment and can work part-time without restrictions and still receive the JA transitional arrangement payment – subject to a means test. The exemptions from the full JA conditionality will remain in place until a recipient’s youngest child reaches the age of 14 years. At this point, should they continue to claim the JA payment, they will be subjected to the full JA conditionality.

Recipients of either the JA or JA transitional arrangement payment may qualify for other social welfare income support benefits at the same time as their primary payment. They can also avail of a wide range of education, training, and employment supports, and are entitled to apply, subject to qualifying conditions, for subsidised child care through both the community childcare subvention (CCS) programme) and the childcare education and training support (CETS) which are administered by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (D/CYA). In addition they can apply for the after-school child care scheme should they take-up employment, increase their days of employment or commence certain employment programmes. This scheme is also funded by the D/CYA but jointly administered by my Department and the D/CYA.

Lone parents can also qualify for the family income supplement (FIS). FIS is an income support payment for families on low income that incentivises them to retain or increase their hours of employment.

I must point out that, in 2011, One Family received funding of €34,946 from my Department for its ‘New Futures’ programme for the 2011-2012 period. This funding came from the activation and family support programme (AFSP) that is managed by my Department. The objective of the AFSP is to provide funding towards the development of training and education initiatives (mainly in conjunction with other organisations and agencies) aimed at assisting social welfare income support recipients to enhance their employability through education, training and personal development opportunities, and to improve their quality of life. In 2012, One Family obtained funding of €33,720 from my Department for its ‘New Futures – Securing A Career’ programme for the 2012-2013 period, and it is my understanding that a request for further funding for its ‘New Futures Plus’ programme for the 2013-2014 period is presently being examined by officials in the Department.

Question No. 337 answered with Question No. 309.
Question No. 338 answered with Question No. 316.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (339)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

339. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42468/13]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was received in that office on 2nd August 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 case 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (340)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

340. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [42529/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16th April 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 13th September 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Planning Issues

Questions (341)

Dan Neville

Question:

341. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht where information on the way to apply to de-list a protected building may be obtained and the procedure in place to have it considered. [41789/13]

View answer

Written answers

Under Section 54 of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2012 it is a reserved function of planning authorities to add to or delete from the register of protected structures. Section 55 of the Act lays out required procedures for planning authorities relating to notices, notice periods and consideration of submissions when making such additions and deletions. Under the Act planning authorities are required to notify me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, of any proposed additions to or deletions from the register.

The Deputy may refer to the relevant local planning authority for details of how these procedures are applied locally if applicable.

Heritage Projects

Questions (342)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

342. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht where the Famine commemoration will take place in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41865/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that, as Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring on behalf of the Government that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. Details of the work of the National Famine Commemoration Committees since 2008 in implementing a varied and diverse annual programme of events to coincide with the commemorations are available on the relevant pages of my Department's website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/NationalFamineCommemoration2013/ and on a dedicated website at www.irishfamine.ie.

The National Famine Commemoration rotates between the four provinces of Ireland and in 2015 is due to take place in Ulster. I and the officials in my Department will be working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of the Taoiseach and all relevant stakeholders, North and South, to ensure that this event will be a fitting tribute to those who perished in Ulster during the Great Famine. I would like to emphasise that the National Famine Commemoration is, and will remain, an inclusive event, which recognises the significant impact of the famine on all communities on the island of Ireland. The main objective of the National Famine Commemoration Committee is to ensure that all victims of the Great Irish Famine are remembered in a dignified manner and, as Chair of this Committee, I will seek to ensure that this work continues.

City of Culture

Questions (343)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

343. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the procedure in order to apply to become a city of culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41866/13]

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Written answers

The European Capitals of Culture are already designated up to and including 2019. The legislation for designation of European Capitals of Culture from 2020 to 2033 is being considered at present by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. In fact, during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first six months of this year, I obtained the political agreement of the Council on the new Capitals of Culture legislation. At present, the Lithuanian Presidency is leading negotiations with the Parliament on behalf of the Council.

Although the legislation is not yet finalised, it is expected that it will provide for Ireland to host the European Capital of Culture in 2020, along with Croatia. This will mean that a public call for applications from interested cities will be made over the coming months. A committee of experts will be appointed under the legislation, which will examine the applications and make recommendations. The question of which institution will make the designation is still the subject of negotiation between the Council and the Parliament.

In addition, I introduced a new initiative of Irish City of Culture with Limerick as the inaugural Irish City of Culture in 2014. Limerick will deliver a programme of cultural events and engagement in arts and culture by the citizens of Limerick and beyond. It will bring artists, arts organisations, local authorities and civic groups in the city and county together in a calendar of events which will showcase all that the city has to offer. I believe that the initiative will generate a legacy both locally and nationally. I anticipate that the be further Irish City of Culture designations and that other Irish cities will be interested in applying for such designations in due course.

Waterways Ireland Staff

Questions (344)

Denis Naughten

Question:

344. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of employees returning to Waterways Ireland following career breaks who have been deployed to a different job and division; of these employees, the number who were informed of their differing role on the commencement of their career break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41871/13]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by Waterways Ireland that there has been one instance of the nature referred to by the Deputy, where an employee returning to Waterways Ireland following a career break was deployed to a different job. I understand that the employee in question was informed, prior to the commencement of the career break, of the relevant rules in Circular 18/98 relating to career breaks.

Special Areas of Conservation Criteria

Questions (345)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

345. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the number of landowners in tabular form by county whose lands are designated for habitat protection of the hen harrier but are not in receipt of compensation from his Department; his plans to include those landowners currently outside the remit of compensation schemes as a result of the designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42092/13]

View answer

Written answers

The figures in the table below indicate the number of landowners (by county) who were notified that their lands are designated (for the protection of the hen harrier) as Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

Sitecode

Site name

-

Landowners Notified by County

4160

SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS SPA

Laois

310

4160

SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS SPA

Offaly

146

4161

STACK'S TO MULLAGHAREIRK MOUNTAINS, WEST LIMERICK HILLS AND MOUNT EAGLE SPA

Cork

411

4161

STACK'S TO MULLAGHAREIRK MOUNTAINS, WEST LIMERICK HILLS AND MOUNT EAGLE SPA

Kerry

707

4161

STACK'S TO MULLAGHAREIRK MOUNTAINS, WEST LIMERICK HILLS AND MOUNT EAGLE SPA

Limerick

735

4162

MULLAGHANISH TO MUSHERAMORE MOUNTAINS SPA

Cork

170

4165

SLIEVEFELIM TO SILVERMINES MOUNTAINS SPA

Limerick

131

4165

SLIEVEFELIM TO SILVERMINES MOUNTAINS SPA

Tipperary

372

4167

SLIEVE BEAGH SPA

Monaghan

86

4168

SLIEVE AUGHTY MOUNTAINS SPA

Galway

743

4168

SLIEVE AUGHTY MOUNTAINS SPA

Clare

628

-

Total

-

4439

The number of participants who received payments under my Department’s Farm Plan Scheme for the Hen Harrier is set out in the table below. This is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers are paid for creating and enhancing habitat.

County

Number of Participants

Clare

86

Cork

53

Galway

32

Kerry

60

Laois

7

Limerick

96

Monaghan

11

Tipperary

32

Total

377

Due to budgetary constraints, the scheme is now closed to new applicants since April 2010.

While my Department has the lead role in relation to the implementation of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, significant funding is provided through the Rural Development Programme, operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which provides for a range of supports for farmers, including payments in respect of designated areas under the Directives.

This Department does not hold information of the number of individuals in these SPAs who are in receipt of payments for management of Natura 2000 lands in schemes operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In recent versions of the Agri-Environmental Options Scheme (AEOS), lands designated as SPA were afforded priority access to this scheme.

National Monuments

Questions (346)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

346. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the national monument in Moore St; Dublin 1; the process by which any further developments will take place; if any new application for a development in that vicinity, and which affects the monument, will have to return to him for approval before being considered by the planning authority; or if it will otherwise proceed directly to the planning authority for consideration. [42309/13]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 9, 24 and 38 on 18 September 2013.

In accordance with the Planning Acts, a planning authority is required to notify the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht of receipt of any application for planning permission where it appears to the authority that the development might affect or be unduly close to a national monument.

Museum Projects

Questions (347, 349)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

347. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to develop a permanent exhibition to the Famine in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42311/13]

View answer

Sandra McLellan

Question:

349. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to establish an official record database of the Famine in the National Museum of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42313/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 349 together.

I refer the Deputy to my previous answers in this regard. I have been advised by the National Museum of Ireland that it collects material of national and regional importance where a connection with the Great Famine is verifiable. I understand that the Museum is in possession of a number of objects relating to the Famine that are categorized broadly into collections but that there are no plans at this time to develop and mount a permanent exhibition.

The Deputy will appreciate that matters such as the determination of exhibitions and/or the establishment of official databases are day-to-day operational matters for the National Museum and that I, as Minister, have no statutory responsibility in relation to such matters.

National Monuments

Questions (348)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

348. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to designate famine workhouses as national monuments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42312/13]

View answer

Written answers

A number of workhouses are included in the Record of Monuments and Places and the Sites and Monuments Record managed by my Department under the National Monuments Acts. Ongoing consideration is given to the designation of new monuments in the context of the maintenance of those records and the development of monument protection policy, in line with the availability of resources and to support the preparation of a comprehensive new monuments bill. Additional workhouses may, therefore, be designated as part of that process as time goes on. The new bill, which is currently being drafted by Parliamentary Counsel, will consolidate, modernise and improve the legislative code for the protection and regulation of our archaeological heritage.

Apart from the National Monuments Acts, workhouses would, in many cases, also be included and subject to the protections provided by the Record of Protected Structures maintained by the local authorities under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012.

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