Written Answers Nos. 56-89
56. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the expected completion date for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52162/13]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It is anticipated that the Design Team will shortly be in a position to submit the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) to my Department for review. Once this review has been completed my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management and Design Team with regard to the progression of the project to tender and construction. However, until the tender exercise to appoint a main contractor is concluded, it will not be possible to indicate the expected start date or completion date for the construction stage. The Design Team are working closely with the school authority and, in conjunction with my DEpartment, will keep the school fully informed as the project progresses through the remaining stages.
57. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the recent reports into the use of donations and proceeds from shops to top up the salaries of chief executive officers and other officials in sections 38 and 39 organisations funded from the Health Service Executive, if he will seek clarifications from the institutions who are funded by his Department to determine if similar practices exist in those organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52165/13]
View answerArising from the current examination of remuneration practices in Health Sector Agencies, the Committee of Public Accounts has asked all Accounting Officers for assurances that public sector employees are in compliance with public pay policy. On foot of this request my Department will be seeking the necessary assurances regarding compliance from institutions in the Education Sector.
58. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancies in the allocations between special needs assistants in the school system, with some schools having a full 32 hours post allocated to each SNA in that school by the special education needs organiser covering that area, with the SNA’s working in the school in question completing a school week of 28 hours 20 minutes but in receipt of the full 32 hour weekly wage; the opposite can be found under another SENO in an area only five miles away allocating 88% of a full 32 hour post to an SNA in that school, with that SNA in receipt of 28 hours 20 minutes pay; and the way he propose to deal with same. [52179/13]
View answerFirstly, I would point out that the allocation of SNA resources is not a matter for this Department but is instead an independent function carried out by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), who are responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including resource teaching and SNA support as well as the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The number of SNAs employed in a school depends on the allocation given to the school by the NCSE, based on its assessment of the special educational needs of pupils in the school. If the Deputy requires further information regarding the methodology around the allocation of SNA resources to schools then her query should more appropriately be directed to the NCSE.The NCSE does not have a role in setting the contractual hours of work of SNAs.
The position regarding the working hours of full-time SNAs is as outlined in the standard SNA contract of employment, which was agreed by this Department, the Trade Unions (IMPACT and SIPTU) representing SNAs and the Management Bodies in 2005. In that context, the standard SNA contract has been designed to be flexible to cater for the different spectrum of working hours across all the various schools including primary, post-primary and special schools. No set hours were agreed but instead full-time SNAs are expected to work for the normal school hours in the school that they are working in, and in addition to be available for a period of time before and after school in order to help with reception and dispersal of children and preparation and tidying up of classrooms etc. These times are set locally by the school management and will vary from school to school depending on the requirements of the school.
In addition, all SNAs were required to be available for a number of days at the start and finish of each school term not exceeding 12 in total. Under the Croke Park Agreement it was agreed to introduce greater flexibility to the use of these 12 days. These 12 days now equate to 72 hours (pro-rata for part-time SNAs) to be used by schools as an additional bank of hours to be utilised and delivered outside of normal school opening hours and/or the normal school year. SNAs who are employed in a part-time capacity are paid a pro-rata amount dependent upon their level of hours of employment. Part-time SNAs are paid on the agreed divisor rate for pay purposes for part-time SNAs which is 32 hours.
Furthermore, the issue of appropriate working hours for all public servants was one of the key aspects of the set of proposals for a public service agreement which were put forward by the Labour Relations Commission and which now form the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2016 (the Haddington Road Agreement). The specific text of the Haddington Road Agreement relating to working hours for SNAs is as follows:"SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANTS Hours - Under the terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, discussions took place that led to agreement on changed attendance arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) that give schools the option of an additional two hours working time per week from each Special Needs Assistant. Under the terms of this Agreement on increased working hours in the Public Service, the available requirements in schools for additional hours for SNAs is quite limited. Given issues such as the duration of the school day and operation hours, and the specific availability of individual SNAs the details of the utilisation of any additional requirements should be the subject of further discussions. These new attendance arrangements, allied to the provisions outlined in the above paragraph should be the subject of a review by the LRC in advance of the 2013/2014 school year, involving the Department of Education and Skills and IMPACT/SIPTU, in order to assess if the additional hours are being utilised in the most effective and appropriate manner and in order to achieve agreement on any changes deemed necessary in terms of the arrangement agreed for teachers. This will constitute the liability on Special Needs Assistants in respect of working hours for the purposes of this extension to the Public Service Agreement."
59. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding site selection for a new campus for a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52207/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my officials are working closely with officials from Galway City Council in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for new school accommodation for the school to which he refers. A suitable site has been identified. However, given the sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further in relation to the site acquisition at this time.
60. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the event of a school closing, if ancillary staff such as school secretary and caretaker are entitled to redundancy; if so whose responsibility is it to pay this redundancy; if he will outline the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52214/13]
View answerStaff entitlements on the closure of a school will depend on the status of the employees concerned. If the staff are public servants and are covered by the Haddington Road Agreement protection against compulsory redundancy, then on the closure of the school the staff may be offered the option of redeploying to another public service post or voluntary redundancy, depending on the circumstances of the particular case. In such cases, the redundancy payment if applicable would be made by the Department or the employing ETB as appropriate.
If the staff concerned are employed directly by the school using ancillary grant funding, then their employer, for all purposes, is the school. Accordingly, it would be a matter for the employer (the school) to determine whether a redundancy payment is applicable in such case(s), in line with the relevant legislation. In such cases, the employer would be required to make any such redundancy payment required under the relevant legislation.
61. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the maximum pension payable to a civil servant on a salary of €150,000 per annum who retires at each age between 60 and 65 in each of the years 2014 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52143/13]
View answerThe maximum pension payable to any Civil Servant is half of final salary, subject to attaining maximum reckonable service of 40 years. Accordingly based on a salary of €150,000 per annum, the maximum annual pension payable for any of the years 2014-2018, with a minimum retirement age of 60, would be €75,000 per annum gross for each age between 60 and 65.
62. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form a county breakdown of the the number of re-valuations undertaken by the Valuation Office; the number of valuation appeals received by the office since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52007/13]
View answerThe work of the Valuation Office is underpinned by the Valuation Act, 2001 which provides for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Act and the making of valuations for local authority rating is his sole prerogative. There are two provisions in the legislation governing the assessment of valuations, i.e. revision and revaluation.
Revision of valuation is the mechanism used to maintain existing local authority valuation lists. It is used to add new properties to the list, to amend the valuations of altered properties and to remove demolished or defunct properties from the list. The valuations of commercial properties at revision are determined by reference to the net annual values of comparable properties on the same valuation list. That is to say that they are compared with similar type properties in the same local authority area to ensure, in so far as it is possible, that they are all treated equally.
In accordance with the 2001 Act, which came into force on 2nd May, 2002, a national programme is being rolled out progressively for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties in the State. The revaluation programme aims to provide up-to-date valuations for individual properties across all economic sectors that are subject to local authority rates. It is an important programme, especially given the significant changes in rental values following the economic downturn of recent years. The revaluation process is the mechanism whereby economic changes that take place in the property market are reflected in the valuation lists for rates purposes and in individual ratepayers’ rates liabilities.
The purpose of a revaluation is to redistribute commercial rates liabilities among ratepayers based on up-to-date values. Following revaluation, there will be a much closer relationship between rental value and commercial rates liability. Even though property values have fallen generally, some ratepayers will gain while others will lose from the process of redistribution but, overall, there will be a fairer distribution of the rates burden. In general, however, the relative gains to ratepayers have exceeded the losses in the revaluations carried out to date.
The revaluation programme which has been completed in three County Council areas in Dublin began in November 2005 in the South Dublin County Council area and has since been rolled out to the areas covered by Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils. The revaluation of South Dublin was completed in December 2007, Fingal was completed in 2009 and Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown was completed in 2010.
After publication of the valuations, the Act provides for an appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation and following the Commissioner’s decision on this appeal, the ratepayer has the further option of making an appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal. There is also a further appeal on a point of law to the High and Supreme Courts.
As requested, the number of revaluations completed and the number of appeals to the Commissioner of Valuation arising from those revaluations is indicated in the following table. All appeals to the Commissioner arising from the revaluation have to be lodged within 40 days of publication of the new valuation list.
|
Local Authority - Area |
Number of Revaluations |
Number of Appeals to Commissioner of Valuation |
|
South Dublin County |
6,304 |
725 |
|
Fingal County |
5,676 |
819 |
|
DunLaoghaire- Rathdown County |
5,165 |
1,148 |
The revaluation programme for the Dublin City Council area is currently underway and is expected to be completed by 31st December, 2013. Additionally, the revaluation of properties in all the local authority areas of Waterford and Limerick will be completed in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
The Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 which had its second stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 11th October, 2012 and is currently awaiting Committee stage, provides for a number of initiatives
to accelerate the overall revaluation programme, such as the piloting of a self-assessment scheme of valuation in one local authority area, which if it proves successful could be extended to other areas. There is also provision in the Bill to allow for the piloting of the assessment of valuations by contract valuers under an external delivery scheme. The Bill also contains provisions to streamline the overall process of revaluation and the appeal mechanisms available to ratepayers subsequent to the revaluation.
63. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the transferring of lands for the use of a public burial ground at Abbey Island in Derrynane, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52154/13]
View answerThe contracts were received by the Commissioners of Public Works on 25 November 2013. The transfer of the lands in question will be completed in the near future.
64. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of running the seed and venture capital scheme to date and the cost of similar schemes. [52049/13]
View answerThe Irish seed and venture capital sector is a critical element of the funding environment supporting entrepreneurship and the creation of jobs in Ireland. Along with taking equity stakes in companies, the State has invested heavily in stimulating the Venture Capital sector. Three programmes have been run since 1994 and a fourth programme of €175m was announced by the Government as part of Budget 2013 for the period 2013 – 2018.
The Seed and Venture Capital Scheme’s document, as with all Scheme documents under the Industrial Development Acts, are approved by both the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. This document gives Enterprise Ireland the legal authority to administer the Scheme. Enterprise Ireland in consultation with my Department determine the relevant thresholds and criteria for each call for expressions of interest under the Scheme as they are issued.
Enterprise Ireland staff manage the due diligence, investment process and back office functions that are required to manage the commitments the Government makes to Funds through the Seed and Venture Capital Schemes. When making commitments to venture capital funds, the State invests on a ‘pari passu’ basis with the private sector, equally sharing the risks and rewards.
However, all of the various initiatives are independently managed by the private sector that make all decisions regarding investments in line with their strategy and the market opportunities they identify.
The Seed and Venture Capital Scheme, the Development Capital Scheme, and Innovation Fund Ireland all form part of the suite of finance measures put in place through the Action Plan for Jobs to increase the availability of funding for SMEs and all operate under Schemes.
65. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether it would be more efficient for the Government, from a time and cost point of view, to direct money ring-fenced for investment in small and medium enterprises, in co-operation with private funds, to new financing models such as peer-to-peer funding. [52050/13]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs 2013 sets out a range of commitments with regard to access to finance, including a commitment to investigate the potential for alternative funding mechanisms including peer to peer lending, supply chain finance and crowdfunding. Along with supporting the more traditional models of financing, this would support the need for a broad and diversified range of financing mechanisms. This is in recognition of the need for a mix of instruments to address the various types of company operating in Ireland and also the various growth phases of a company.
The individual financing instruments should not be seen in isolation, but as a potential set of interacting policies. Therefore, it is my view that this is not an ‘either/or’ scenario.
However, in terms of costs for supporting the alternative financing mechanisms, it must be borne in mind that value for money and a strong justification for State intervention is a key consideration. As many of the alternative forms of financing are relatively new and are only currently establishing a presence in Ireland, I am inclined to consider the various available options prior to intervening with taxpayers’ money in an effort to boost take up. Private sector initiatives have their place, and do not always necessarily require Government funding to be kick-started.
If Government funding is directed towards these types of funding models in the future, careful design of any intervention along with monitoring and evaluation will be required to ensure the optimal intended results are achieved.
66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific projects that he plans for County Monaghan arising from the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52140/13]
View answerDeveloping enterprise and helping create jobs remain top priorities for Government. The “Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-16” identifies investment in the productive sector and human capital – such as direct supports for enterprise development, science, technology and innovation advancement as one of its main components. The Investment Plan commits substantial resources to my Department to foster industry and creativity and lead to an end to joblessness. It also acknowledges that sustained investments will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for Foreign Direct Investment and a location in which to grow, develop and protect businesses and ideas.
With this in mind, our primary objective is to create the environment for economic recovery through competitiveness, enterprise and job creation as part of the ongoing implementation of the annual Action Plan for Jobs process. I am currently preparing the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government and we will continue, through that process, to build on the success of the actions we have taken over the last two years, whereby the private sector is creating 5,000 jobs per month.
The Enterprise Development agencies, under my Department, are at the forefront of implementing the Action Plan for Jobs and other Government initiatives. In Monaghan, there are 6 IDA-supported companies employing 275 people in permanent positions and a further 73 in contract positions. IDA Ireland continues to market Monaghan for new investment and in line with IDA’s Strategy, Horizon 2020 the Agency works closely with its existing client base to encourage them to grow and embed their businesses. IDA will consider all opportunities to utilise its lands at Knockaconny in Monaghan to attract FDI, indigenous and other non-traditional type investments which may not fall under the general remit of IDA or Enterprise Ireland but could create investment and employment opportunities.
Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for start-ups including: the Competitive Feasibility Fund for the North East Region (Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) launched in February 2013; the Competitive Start-Up Fund; the Seed and Venture Capital and Development Capital Funds; the HALO Business Angel Partnership Programme, that is mandated to match business angels to appropriate projects; the “New Frontiers” Programme and the Innovation Voucher Initiative. Enterprise Ireland has 124 client companies in Monaghan employing almost 3,500 people. To date in 2013, over €1.5m has been approved to Monaghan companies and €599,000 paid across EI’s suite of supports.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to support new High Potential Start-Ups in Co. Monaghan in 2014, as well as supporting established Clients using the various Programmes under the remit of the Agency. EI is also available to work with, and support, local entrepreneurs with commercial business plans and also provides preferential funding for entrepreneurs and companies, with detailed export plans, who are expanding or establishing a business in the County.
Monaghan County Enterprise Board (CEB) promotes an enterprise culture throughout the County and supports start-ups and small to medium sized businesses in a variety of practical ways, through both financial and non-financial or “soft” supports including the provision of business advice, mentoring and training to all clients.
In 2012-2013, Monaghan CEB approved grants to the value of €786,154, with 60.5 associated jobs, including €100k in 2012 towards the establishment of an Innovation Centre in Carrickmacross. In addition, the Board is involved in a number of cross-Border projects, with an estimated spend of €750,000, which will sustain and increase sales growth for businesses in Co. Monaghan.
67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific projects that he plans for County Cavan arising from the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52141/13]
View answerDeveloping enterprise and helping create jobs remain top priorities for Government. The “Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-16” identifies investment in the productive sector and human capital – such as direct supports for enterprise development, science, technology and innovation advancement as one of its main components. The Investment Plan commits substantial resources to my Department to foster industry and creativity and lead to an end to joblessness. It also acknowledges that sustained investments will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for Foreign Direct Investment and a location in which to grow, develop and protect businesses and ideas.
With this in mind, our primary objective is to create the environment for economic recovery through competitiveness, enterprise and job creation as part of the ongoing implementation of the annual Action Plan for Jobs process. I am currently preparing the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government and we will continue, through that process, to build on the success of the actions we have taken over the last two years, whereby the private sector is creating 5,000 jobs per month.
The Enterprise Development agencies, under my Department, are at the forefront of implementing the Action Plan for Jobs and other Government initiatives.
In Cavan there are 5 IDA-supported companies employing 1,020 people in permanent positions and a further 45 in contract positions, IDA Ireland continues to market Cavan for new investment and in line with IDA’s Strategy Horizon 2020, the Agency works closely with its existing client base to encourage them to grow and embed their businesses. IDA will consider all opportunities to utilise the Business Park in Cavan to attract FDI, indigenous and other non-traditional type investments which may not fall under the general remit of IDA or Enterprise Ireland but could create investment and employment opportunities.
Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for start-ups including: the Competitive Feasibility Fund for the North East Region (Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) launched in February 2013; the Competitive Start-Up Fund; the Seed and Venture Capital and Development Capital Funds; the HALO Business Angel Partnership Programme, that is mandated to match business angels to appropriate projects; the “New Frontiers” Programme and the Innovation Voucher Initiative. Enterprise Ireland currently has 99 client companies in Co. Cavan employing in excess of 4,000 people. To date in 2013, over €1m has been paid to Cavan-based companies by Enterprise Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland continues to support new High Potential Start-Ups in Co. Cavan in 2014 as well as continuing to support established Clients using the various Programmes under the remit of the Agency. Enterprise Ireland is also available to work with and support local entrepreneurs with commercial business plans and also provides preferential funding for entrepreneurs and companies, with detailed export plans, who are expanding or establishing a business in the County.
Cavan County Enterprise Board (CEB) promotes an enterprise culture throughout the County and it supports start-ups and small to medium sized businesses in a variety of practical ways, through both financial and non-financial or “soft” supports including the provision of business advice, mentoring and training to all clients.
So far this year, Cavan CEB has approved 18 grants to the value of €361,500 with 50 associated jobs. They have held 29 training courses with 410 participants, as well as an Accelerate Programme and a Retail Management Development Programme.
68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the initiative introduced in July 2011 to reduce the PRSI liability for employers hiring employees up to €365 per week will expire; if she has carried out any analysis on the impact this will have on employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52030/13]
View answerEmployer PRSI is payable on earnings at the rate of 10.75% in respect of weekly earnings in excess of €356 and at 8.5% on weekly earnings of €356 or less.
As part of the 2011 Jobs Initiative, the Minister for Finance announced the halving of the 8.5% rate of employer PRSI to 4.25%, as a means of helping job creation and improving labour cost competitiveness, particularly in the tourism and other employment-rich areas of the economy. The measure was implemented in July on a 2½ year time limited basis to apply from 1 July 2011 until 31 December 2013. The 4.25% employer PRSI rate will revert to the original 8.5% rate from 1 January 2014.
Retaining the 4.25% rate of employer PRSI in 2014 would reduce the expected PRSI yield to the Social Insurance Fund by €195 million in a full year. As the reversion of the employer rate to 8.5% is provided for in legislation, it has already been built into the PRSI income base for 2014 and subsequent years.
As employment is affected by a number of factors including the current economic environment, it is not possible to carry out an analysis of the impact on employment of this measure in isolation.
70. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51996/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 10th October 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 papers 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.
In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet their needs, it is open to them to contact their local community welfare service to explore their possible entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of their appeal process.
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.
71. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has seen the content of the citizens information centre report on the centralised rent supplement units and the experience of applicants and recipients in dealing with them; when it will be published for public consumption; and the progress that has been made on its recommendations and findings. [52000/13]
View answerThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are approximately 80,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the report entitled “Centralised Rent Supplement Units: an evaluation of clients’ experiences” which was compiled following research by a number of Citizens Information Centres (CICs) in 2012 and launched in June 2013. This report is not a report published by the Department of Social Protection.
Citizens Information Services (CISs) provide a face-to-face service to the public in the provision of free, impartial and confidential information. They are supported and funded by the Citizens Information Board. Each CIS is an independent company, limited by guarantee and managed by Voluntary Boards of Management. They each cover a geographical area, either country-wide or part of an urban area, and deliver their services through a network of CICs.
I am aware of the contents of this report which was based on material collected between July 2012 and October 2012. The sample size of 55 respondents referred to in the report cannot be considered a representative sample of the over 13,500 claims that were maintained by the Department’s CRUs in Park West and Tallaght at that time, representing a sample size of some 0.4%. The report made a number of recommendations, a number of which are already in place.
Since the period of this research, the Department has made changes to the structure of these units to streamline the geographical areas that they cover. It has also introduced a number of changes and improvements to the operation of the CRUs, including the introduction of dedicated e-mail addresses and the introduction of a new streamlined rent application form in September 2012 which has resulted in an increase in completed applications at initial stage thereby improving the processing times.
The Department continues to keep the operational and organisational process of the CRUs under constant review with a view to managing operational efficiency and maximising service for the customer.
72. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if a domiciliary care allowance will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [52041/13]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 17th October 2013. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Upon receipt of this opinion, a decision will issue to the person concerned. It can take up to 8 weeks to process an application for DCA.
73. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of calls and online reports that were received by her Department's anonymous reporting service in 2012 and 2013; and the number of these reports that resulted in action against an individual. [52045/13]
View answerMy Department accepts reports of possible fraud from members of the public in relation to the operation of its schemes and uses both a dedicated phone number and a facility on the Department’s website for this purpose. Members of the public are asked to provide as much detail as possible about the case they are reporting and they can do so anonymously.
Reports can be made as follows:
- By email: www.welfare.ie
- By phone: (01) 6732123, or (071) 9672648 or Locall: 1890 927999;
- By Post: Central Control Division, DSP, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
All anonymous or confidential reports are examined and, where relevant, are referred to the relevant sections and/or to the Department’s Inspectors for follow-up action. A payment is not suspended or stopped on the basis of an anonymous report, however, it may “trigger” the instigation of a review of a customer’s entitlement.
The following table outlines the number of anonymous reports dealt with in the Department’s Control Division in the period requested:
|
- |
2012 |
2013 (to end of October) |
|
Phone |
19,009 |
13,471 |
|
|
2,002 |
1,036 |
|
Letter |
7,011 |
4,794 |
|
Total |
28,022 |
19,301 |
Statistics on the outcomes of anonymous reports are unavailable because while these reports are used to “trigger” or instigate investigations, they are not taken into account when the review of the customer’s payment is being decided.
74. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department's policy on dependants (details supplied). [52052/13]
View answerThe personal rate of State pension contributory is a non means-tested payment based on PRSI contributions paid to the Social Insurance Fund over a working life. To qualify a person needs to:
- enter insurable employment by age 55 for State Pension (transition) and age 56 for State Pension (contributory);
- have paid 520 full rate social insurance contributions;
- have a yearly average contributions of at least 10 for State pension (contributory), and at least 24 for State pension (transition).
The yearly average determines the weekly rate of payment.
An increase in the State pension for a spouse or partner (qualified adult) can be paid. This element of the State pension is means tested. Any income the qualified adult has from employment, self-employment, savings, investments and capital (for example, any property except the person’s home) is taken into account. Where there is joint savings or investments with the spouse or partner, half of that amount is taken into account. An increase for a qualified adult may be payable if the qualified adult has weekly income of less than €310.00.
The assessment of means is a way of checking if a person has enough means to support themselves and what amount of payment, if any, they may qualify for. The rules for assessing entitlement to an increase in the State pension for a spouse or partner (qualified adult) are provided for in social welfare legislation. I’m afraid that it is not therefore possible to exclude certain savings or investments on the basis that they have been set aside for a specific purpose, such as that outlined by the Deputy.
Where a person does not meet the qualifying conditions for State pension contributory, they may apply for the means-tested State pension non-contributory. The means test for State pension non-contributory takes into account the income and assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse or partner. Capital, property (excluding a person's home), savings and investments are assessed as capital and a formula is then used to assess the weekly means from capital. The weekly rate payable depends on the total weekly means of the person or couple.
The formula for assessing means from capital is as follows:
|
Capital |
Weekly means assessed |
|
First €20,000 |
Nil |
|
Next €10,000 |
€1 per €1,000 |
|
Next €10,000 |
€2 per €1,000 |
|
Balance |
€4 per €1,000 |
It is the policy of the Department to carry out regular reviews of benefits paid and where additional information is made available reviews of cases are carried out which may affect the benefit in payment.
In relation to caring and support from my Department, it is open to those who wish to avail of the carer’s schemes to apply for and be assessed for same. It is worth noting that the means test used in relation to the carers scheme is a more generous means test to that used for the qualified adult payment. A person who is currently in receipt of a social welfare payment may also qualify for a half rate carer’s allowance payment. I would encourage that those who need to avail of this scheme to apply for it.
75. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied). [52055/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was received in that office on 16th July 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 21st October 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.
76. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the position on back week for a community employment scheme and the non-payment of welfare allowance for two weeks during the first two weeks of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52127/13]
View answerThe Community Employment Operating Guidelines issued to Sponsors state that participants are paid the appropriate weekly rate for a maximum initial period of 52 weeks irrespective of the specific working arrangement. CE participant wages are paid weekly on a current week basis. For example if a participant starts on a community employment scheme on a Monday they will be paid on the Thursday of the same week, via the scheme’s payroll. Likewise when a CE participant finishes on a CE scheme they will be paid on the Thursday of the week that they finish.
77. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) regarding the recognition of a death of an unborn child. [52133/13]
View answerThe loss of a child in any circumstances is an extremely tragic event for a family and I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to those families who have lost children.
The procedures governing the registration of deaths are provided for under Part 5 of the Civil Registration Act, 2004. When a death occurs, it is registered on foot of a certificate of cause of death supplied by a registered medical practitioner. Where a death is referred to a coroner, the death is registered by a registrar on foot of a coroner’s certificate. These are the only circumstances under which a death can be registered.
Section 28 of the Civil Registration Act, 2004 provides for the registration of stillbirths. A still-born child is defined under the Act as “a child who, at birth, weighs not less than 500 grammes or has a gestational age of not less than 24 weeks and shows no sign of life and ‘stillbirth’ shall be construed accordingly”.
Section 28 (7) of the Act provides that, if a coroner ascertains that a body is that of a stillborn child, he or she shall notify a registrar in the functional area of the authority in which the body is located of the stillbirth and shall give to the registrar, in as far as he or she can ascertain them, the required particulars in relation to the stillbirth, and the registrar shall register the stillbirth in such manner as an tArd-Chlaraitheoir may direct.
I am aware that the circumstances in the case raised by the Deputy are very sad for the family. Unfortunately it is necessary that a registration of death, including a still birth, requires a certificate of cause of death by a registered medical practitioner or a coroners certificate.
78. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to provide additional funds for senior citizens alert following the termination of the telephone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52157/13]
View answerThe overall concern of the Government in this and previous budgets has been to protect the primary weekly social welfare rates. Maintaining the rate of the State pension and other core payments is critical in relation to protecting people from poverty. To allow us to protect these core payments, we have had to look very carefully at other additional payments. The cost of the telephone allowance scheme had risen each year with the number of eligible customers also increasing significantly. In 2007 there were some 316,000 people receiving the telephone allowance compared to almost 396,000 at the end of September this year, an increase of 25%. Each year almost 10,000 extra customers become eligible for the allowance because of the increased number of pension recipients.
I am keenly aware of the impact on the Department’s customers and particularly those who are living alone. While we are ending the telephone allowance the savings that this will provide means that we have been able to keep at the same rates the other elements of the household benefits package, including the free electricity/gas allowance and the free television licence. We have also retained the fuel allowance, free travel and the living alone increase.
Of course it is important to be aware that Ireland’s pensioners as a group have the lowest consistent poverty rate and, as a group compared to the rest of the population, are least likely to be at risk of poverty - pointing to the adequacy and importance of the State pension. Between 2004 and 2011, consistent poverty for older people (those over 65) fell from 3.3% to 1.9%. The ‘at risk of poverty’ rate for people in that age group also reduced from 27.1% to 9.7% over the same period.
The monthly allowances under the household benefits package are a contribution towards the cost of services; they are not intended to meet those costs in full. The ending of the telephone allowance of €9.50 per month (or about €2.20 per week) will not result in the automatic removal of any landline service linked to a personal alarm. Indeed, since the Budget announcement, I am aware that one telephone company has advertised that they will cover the value of the allowance. I would hope that other telephone companies will consider this.
The telephone allowance was introduced at a time when telephones were expensive and uncommon and a landline service was the only option available to the customer. The market has changed enormously since the introduction of the allowance, with several companies providing a range of services and rates with bundled services including television, telephone and broadband and pay-as-you-go mobiles. There are also personal security services that use mobile technology rather than land lines. My Department has no role in the funding or operation of the seniors alert scheme which provides grant support for the supply of equipment such as personal alarms, smoke detectors and security lighting to enable older people without sufficient means to continue to live securely in their homes. The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government operates the scheme. The budget allocation for 2013 was €2.35 million. There has been no reduction in this funding in Budget 2014.
79. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of rent allowance at present; the number of such in each county; and the total cost of same. [52173/13]
View answerThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are approximately 81,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013. A breakdown of rent supplement recipients by county is provided in the following tabular statement. A breakdown of rent supplement expenditure by county is not available.
Rent Supplement recipients, as of end October 2013
|
County |
Recipients |
|
DUBLIN |
29,892 |
|
CORK |
9,088 |
|
KILDARE |
4,323 |
|
GALWAY |
3,998 |
|
WEXFORD |
3,240 |
|
LIMERICK |
3,030 |
|
WICKLOW |
2,470 |
|
LOUTH |
2,427 |
|
TIPPERARY |
2,098 |
|
DONEGAL |
2,077 |
|
MAYO |
2,008 |
|
MEATH |
1,981 |
|
KERRY |
1,849 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1,586 |
|
CLARE |
1,560 |
|
WATERFORD |
1,531 |
|
KILKENNY |
1,256 |
|
OFFALY |
1,131 |
|
CARLOW |
1,087 |
|
LAOIS |
1,086 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
813 |
|
SLIGO |
533 |
|
LONGFORD |
527 |
|
CAVAN |
443 |
|
MONAGHAN |
402 |
|
LEITRIM |
360 |
|
Total |
80,796 |
80. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the lack of support for persons who were self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52201/13]
View answerSelf-employed persons are liable for pay related social insurance (PRSI) at a rate of 4%, which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). This compares to employees in respect of whom a combined 14.75% rate, under full-rate PRSI Class A, is paid giving entitlement to the full range of social insurance benefits including jobseeker’s benefit.
Any person of working age who does not qualify for jobseeker’s benefit may claim means tested jobseeker’s allowance. Subject to means and other qualifying conditions, self-employed persons may claim jobseeker’s allowance if their business ceases or there is reduced demand for their services. Typically over 80% of jobseeker’s allowance claims from self-employed persons have been awarded over recent years.
Previously self-employed persons in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance have access to the full range of activation measures available through the State. Given the scale of unemployment levels, the key objective of activation policy and labour market initiatives is to offer assistance to those most in need of support in securing work and achieving financial self-sufficiency. This policy objective prioritises scarce resources to those in receipt of qualifying welfare payments. Accordingly the employment services and schemes provided by the Department are focused in the first instance on this cohort of unemployed people.
However, many services are available to the formerly self-employed who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment. Some employment services, such as assistance with job-search activities and the use of online job search tools, are available to people if they register with the Department’s employment services offices, regardless of their social welfare status.
Unemployed persons, including the previously self-employed, not in receipt of payments may also be eligible to avail of up-skilling opportunities, but are not eligible to receive a training allowance while undertaking the course. Springboard courses are open to people who were previously self-employed, regardless of their social welfare status.
81. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to the ten solutions for smarter futures as put forward by the One Family campaign group; her response to the proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52208/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting one-parent families to become economically independent. My Department is in the process of reforming 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 the Department and who pro-actively engage with the Department’s activation process. As part of the supports that are available to lone parents, my Department has provided funding to One Family for its ‘New Futures’ programme for the 2011-2012 period. In 2012, One Family obtained further funding from my Department for its ‘New Futures – Securing A Career’ programme for the 2012-2013 period. The recently introduced jobseeker’s allowance (JA) 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 payment or the 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 child care education and training support (CETS) scheme that are administered by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (D/CYA). In addition, they can apply for the after-school child care scheme in the event that they take up employment, increase their days of employment, or commence certain employment programmes. This scheme, which was announced in Budget 2013, and which is also funded by the D/CYA but jointly administered by my Department and the D/CYA, will continue to provide subsidised after-school child care places into 2014.
I have also secured the agreement of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on a new strand of child care support for customers of the Department, including lone parents, who are participating in the community employment (CE) scheme. This new child care support will be provided via the CETS scheme.
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.
83. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against a cut in the non-contributory old age pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52211/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 28 November 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.
84. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to reports of illegal deer hunting around the country; and the safeguards that exist to prevent illegally shot deer entering the food chain and being passed on to restaurants for sale. [52057/13]
View answerMy Department is aware of reports of illegal killing of deer in certain areas of the country and staff from my Department have carried out increased number of patrols, including night patrols, in such cases. Persons involved in such activity are, of course, subject to prosecution under the Wildlife Acts.
Recent investigations, which culminated in the arrest of a number of individuals in Carlow, were the result of an investigation initiated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department in close co-operation with An Garda Síochána following incidents in the Wicklow Mountains. This is one of a number of on-going cases and investigations involving both my Department and An Garda Síochána.
I understand that there are a wide variety of controls in place relating to the traceability of meat products, including deer, to shops and restaurants which are matters for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Food Safety Authority.
85. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish language; if he will pursue the ending of the Irish language derogation which reduces the status of Irish at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52149/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to previous replies that I have given in this House to Questions on this matter, most recently my reply to Questions 426 and 430 on 26 November 2013. The terms of the derogation specify that a decision on whether or not to extend the derogation for a further period of time is required by December 2015 at the latest. My Department is engaged in discussions with various stakeholders, including the EU institutions, in order to formulate specific proposals on the optimal approach to the ending of the derogation. It is hoped to bring the matter forward for consideration by Government in early 2014.
It should also be noted that, as part of the Government's strategy to ensure that a sufficient number of qualified personnel are available to meet the needs arising from the recognition of Irish as an official and working language of the EU, my Department continues to provide substantial funding for a range of specialised third-level courses and for the development of Irish language terminology for the EU terminology database, InterActive Terminology for Europe (IATE).
86. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that funding for the arts is maintained in view of the importance of the arts to citizens and to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52160/13]
View answerGovernment policy on the arts is set out in the Programme for Government . The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life.
Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department but it is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations. This includes independence in its funding decisions. In 2014, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of over €55.8 million in current and capital funding. Details of all funding provided by the Arts Council to arts practitioners, arts groups and venues, including arts centres, are available on the Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie .
The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to both our society and to our economy. The arts sector continues to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country. Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding and to providing every possible support for these sectors.
87. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which testing of diesel has take place in County Clare in the past 12 months; if it has been brought to his attention that fuel filters which have been changed recently have shown evidence of excess H2O and a dark brown matter; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52034/13]
View answerThe testing of diesel is a matter in which I, as Minister, have no role or function.
88. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Irish Planning Institute's claim that the renewable export framework is premature without an overall national energy plan and the completion of a national landscape strategy, which is required in response to Ireland’s ratification of the European landscape convention in 2002. [51991/13]
View answerThe Irish Planning Institute has made a submission to the initial consultation held on the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework which, in conjunction with all submissions received, will be taken into account in the development of the framework and in the first instance the scoping report which will be published in early 2014.Ireland has the capability to achieve its national targets for renewable electricity for 2020 from onshore renewable generation alone, with capacity to spare. This capability is referenced in both the Government's Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012 - 2020 and the National Renewable Energy Action Plan. The Strategy for Renewable Energy also outlines the opportunity, under Directive 2009/28/EC, for projects of scale both onshore and offshore that are aimed at export markets. The work programme under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed last January with the UK, will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both countries in the 2020 timeframe. In order to support this opportunity, the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework will ensure that any export of renewable energy must take account of Ireland's energy needs and long term strategic energy requirements. The framework will have regard to national strategies or policies and will provide the opportunity to integrate relevant EU Directive requirements (including Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment). Under Article 5 of EU Directive 2001/42/EC, the Environmental Report, on which the SEA will be based, will include an assessment of any environmental effects of the policy including landscape.
I understand that the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will bring proposals to Government in early 2014 with a view to finalising the National Landscape Strategy for publication in 2014. However, I should highlight that the primary role of planning authorities, and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to such issues, will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2012, to which the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework will have regard.
89. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the terms of the national broadband scheme as offered to consumers; in particular the issues regarding an unlimited data cap; the agreed price of data once the initial threshold is passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52063/13]
View answerThe broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with “3”, the NBS service provider, the NBS mobile wireless service currently offers minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3Mbps and 1.4Mbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 18:1. The NBS satellite service, which is utilised in a small number of cases for technical reasons associated with the location of the premises, offers minimum download and upload speeds of 3.6Mbps and 384 kbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 48:1.The monthly data allowance for the NBS mobile broadband service was increased from 25GB to 40GB in October 2012 at no additional cost to the NBS customer. This data allowance of 40GB compares favourably with data allowances offered on other basic mobile broadband packages. Should a customer wish to use more that their 40GB allowance, there is a charge of €0.0508/mb on all additional data. The NBS satellite service offers a data allowance of 11GB in any 4 week period and NBS satellite customers can purchase additional data at €5.00/GB. With the NBS satellite service, only 50% of a customer’s usage between the hours of 23:00 hours and 07:00 hours is counted towards their data allowance.
