Wednesday, 22 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 130-137

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (130)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

130. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow an appeal of an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3150/14]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has been registered and was referred to an Appeals Officer on 21 January 2014. The Appeals Officer 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Appeals Data

Questions (131)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

131. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals by reserved fire fighters that had been lodged and were pending prior to the coming into being of current legislation on 10 July 2013, on a county basis; the number of such appeals that have been disposed of to date; the outcome in each case which has been dealt with; the number of such appeals that are outstanding and awaiting a decision by the social welfare appeals officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3157/14]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that appeal statistics are not maintained on the basis of occupation and it is therefore not in a position to supply the information sought by the Deputy in relation to reserve fire fighters.

General statistics relating to the numbers and outcomes of jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance appeals for 2012 and 2013 are outlined for the Deputy’s information in the tables below.

Jobseeker's Benefit Appeals 2012-2013

-	-	-	-	Decided by Appeals Officers	-	Outcome of Jobseeker's Benefit Appeals
-	Revised DO Decision	Allowed	Partly Allowed	Disallowed	Withdrawn	Total Appeals on hand at year end
2012	365	183	37	669	99	1,353,519
2013	203	160	41	516	90	1,010,391

Jobseeker's Allowance (Payments) Appeals 2012-2013

-	-	-	-	Decided by Appeals Officers	-	Outcome of Jobseeker's Allowance (Payments) Appeals
-	Revised DO Decision	Allowed	Partly Allowed	Disallowed	Withdrawn	Total Appeals on hand at year end
2012	725	810	153	1,384	229	3,3011,247
2013	387	626	118	1,385	195	2,7111,180

Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) Appeals 2012-2013

-	-	-	-	Decided by Appeals Officers	-	Outcome of Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) Appeals
-	Revised DO Decision	Allowed	Partly Allowed	Disallowed	Withdrawn	Total Appeals on hand at year end
2012	896	395	174	1,843	276	3,5841,522
2013	414	425	149	1,728	276	2,9921,453

Outsourcing of Public Services

Questions (132)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

132. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of outsourcing that has been achieved in her Department since the letter sent by Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2012; the names of the outsourcing companies that have been involved; the total savings achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3305/14]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Department has for many years contracted extensively with third parties for the delivery of services. In general, the contracts are used to supplement and complement, rather than replace departmental activities. For example, about half of the Department’s public offices are operated by private sector providers. The Department also contracts with third party payment agencies, with third party providers of IT services and with third party providers of employment and illness/disability services. The Department spends some €120M annually with external providers, which represents about 20% of overall administrative costs.

The Department’s records show that, since March 2012, external service delivery contracts have been signed to a total amount of c. €150M (excluding VAT). Some of these contracts extend over a number of years. These include new and renewed contracts for the provision of Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs as well as contracts for the provision of services such as file management, staff training and IT support. The names of these contractors are set out in appendix 1 hereunder.

As the contracts are, in general, not used to replace or substitute any existing Departmental activities, the issue of savings does not tend to arise. The Department pursues cost savings through a rigorous competitive tendering process as appropriate.

Appendix 1

ID	Contract Awarded To (Name)	Category	Contract Award Date
1	3M Ireland Limited	IT external services and eGovt projects	27/04/2012
2	Accenture	IT external services and eGovt projects	01/02/2013
3	Accenture	IT external services and eGovt projects	22/07/2013
4	Accenture	IT external services and eGovt projects	30/08/2013
5	Accenture	IT external services and eGovt projects	01/09/2013
6	Accenture, Deloitte and BEaringPoint Ireland Limited admitted to a Framework	IT external services and eGovt projects	30/08/2012
7	AES Limited	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	29/08/2013
8	All Water Systems Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
9	Aluset Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
10	An Post	Payment Services	20/12/2013
11	Apex Fire Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
12	At Risk Security	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	28/11/2012
13	Axiom Consulting	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	20/08/2013
14	Balbriggan Enterprise Development Group (BEDG) Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
15	Ballinasloe Community Resource Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
16	Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership Co Ltd	Employment Services	01/01/2013
17	Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership Co Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
18	Ballyhoura Jobs Club	Job Club	01/01/2013
19	Ballymun Job Centre Co-Operative Society Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
20	Ballymun/Whitehall Area Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
21	Bawnogue Unemployed Group Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
22	BearingPoint Ireland Limited	IT external services and eGovt projects	07/01/2013
23	BearingPoint Ireland Limited	IT external services and eGovt projects	07/01/2013
24	BearingPoint Ireland Limited	IT external services and eGovt projects	07/01/2013
25	BearingPoint Ireland Limited	IT external services and eGovt projects	07/01/2013
26	BearingPoint Ireland Ltd	IT external services and eGovt projects	19/09/2013
27	BIIKR Partnership Co Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
28	Blanchardstown Area Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
29	Blanchardstown Area Partnership Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
30	Bluebell, Inchicore, Islandbridge, Kilmainham & Rialto Co Ltd	Employment Services	01/01/2013
31	Bray Area Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
32	Brunswick Press	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
33	Carlow County Development Partnership Company Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
34	Cascaid Ltd	IT external services and eGovt projects	24/04/2013
35	Castle Print (Galway) Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
36	Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion London	Consultancy related to Jobpath project	18/12/2012
37	Chartered Accountants Ireland	Other	31/10/2012
38	Co Kildare Local Employment Service Network	Employment Services	01/01/2013
39	Colorman (Ireland) Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
40	CompassPoint Ltd.	Other	01/06/2012
41	Congress Information & Opportunities Centre Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
42	Core International	IT external services and eGovt projects payroll	30/07/2012
43	Cork City Partnership Ltd	Employment Services	01/01/2013
44	County Sligo Leader Partnership Co Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
45	Creative Inc	Consultancy related to Intreo programme	07/03/2012
46	Cumann Iosaef Teoranta	Job Club	01/01/2013
47	DC Kavanagh Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
48	DCU Language Services Ltd	Other	01/01/2013
49	Deloitte	IT external services and eGovt projects	30/03/2012
50	Deloitte	IT external services and eGovt projects	16/05/2013
51	Deloitte	IT external services and eGovt projects	16/05/2013
52	Deloitte & Touche	IT external services and eGovt projects	01/04/2012
53	Donegal Local Development Company	Job Club	01/01/2013
54	Drogheda Job Club Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
55	Dublin 12 Centre for the Unemployed	Job Club	01/01/2013
56	Duel International Stationery Co. Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
57	Economic and Social Research Institute	Consultancy	15/06/2013
58	ESRI	Consultancy	01/04/2012
59	ESRI	Consultancy related	09/07/2013
60	Eustace Patterson	Training	30/01/2013
61	FCR Media	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	15/05/2013
62	Ferdia Community Development Co Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
63	Fingal LEADER Partnership Co Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
64	First Employment Services Ltd t/a Employability Service Cork	Job Club	01/01/2013
65	Fujitsu (Ireland) Limited	IT external services and eGovt projects	04/10/2012
66	Galway City Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
67	Galway People Resournce Centre Co. Ltd Job Club	Job Club	01/01/2013
68	Ginger Packaging Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
69	Glin Jobsclub Limited	Job Club	01/01/2013
70	Greenstar Limited	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	29/08/2013
71	Haywood Associates Ltd	IT external services and eGovt projects	01/08/2013
72	Hewlett Packard Ireland	IT external services and eGovt projects	04/03/2013
73	Hewlett Packard Ireland Ltd.	IT external services and eGovt projects	07/09/2012
74	Hewlett-Packard (Ireland) Ltd	IT external services and eGovt projects	04/02/2013
75	Home Fare Services	Other	31/10/2012
76	IBM	external services and eGovt projects	01/01/2013
77	Indecon International Economic Consultants	Consultancy related to JobBridge	18/04/2012
78	Inishowen Development Partnership	Job Club	01/01/2013
79	Inpute Technologies Ltd.	IT external services and eGovt projects	03/10/2013
80	Institute of Public Administration	Training	04/05/2012
81	Integrated Development Southill Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
82	Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute	Consultancy	23/04/2013
83	J & C Hendricks Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
84	Jobcare Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
85	Kefron Ltd	Other	01/01/2013
86	Kelly Print	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
87	La Touche Training Bond Solon Training Ltd	Training	04/04/2013
88	Language	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	22/05/2012
89	Laois Community and Enterprise Dev Co t/a Laois Partnership Co	Job Club	01/01/2013
90	Larkin Unemployed Centre	Job Club	01/01/2013
91	Leitrim Integrated Development Company	Job Club	01/01/2013
92	Louth Leader Partnership	Job Club	01/01/2013
93	Louth Leader Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
94	Mayo North East Leader Partnership	Job Club	01/01/2013
95	Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Co Teoranta	Employment Services	01/01/2013
96	Media World Ltd	Other	12/10/2012
97	Mel Cousins and Associates	Consultancy	26/07/2013
98	Mercer	Consultancy	14/08/2012
99	Microsoft Consulting Services	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	25/04/2013
100	Monaghan Integrated Development Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
101	Monaghan Intergrated Development	Employment Services	01/01/2013
102	Monsoon Consulting	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	17/12/2012
103	Moyross Development Company Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
104	Mr Binman	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	29/08/2013
105	Naked Objects Group Ltd	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	01/08/2013
106	Naked Objects Group Ltd	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	05/12/2013
107	North & East Kerry Leader Partnership Teo	Employment Services	01/01/2013
108	North & East Kerry Leader Partnership Teoranta	Job Club	01/01/2013
109	North Tipperary Leader Partnership	Job Club	01/01/2013
110	North Tipperary Leader Partnership	Job Club	01/01/2013
111	Northside Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
112	Northside Partnership Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
113	Northwest Roscommon CDP	Job Club	01/01/2013
114	NUI Maynooth	Training	08/10/2013
115	OCS Cannon Hygiene	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/04/2012
116	OECD	Consultancy	01/04/2012
117	Offaly Local Development Company	Job Club	01/01/2013
118	Offaly Local Development Company	Job Club	01/01/2013
119	Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)	Consultancy	13/09/2013
120	People Action Against Unemployment Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
121	People Action Against Unemployment Ltd (PAUL)	Employment Services	01/01/2013
122	Plastic Craft Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
123	Portarlington Community Development Association Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
124	PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC)	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	15/02/2013
125	Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership Ltd	Employment Services	01/01/2013
126	Record Storage Services Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
127	REHAB Enterprises	Other	01/01/2013
128	Rentokil	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	21/05/2012
129	Safekeeping Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
130	SDC South Dublin County Partnership	Job Club	01/01/2013
131	Seamus Conroy	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
132	Serla Print Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
133	Shanowen Files Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
134	Sign A Rama	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	19/08/2013
135	Sign*A*Rama	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	04/09/2013
136	South Dublin County Ltd (SDC)	Employment Services	01/01/2013
137	South Inner-City Community Development Association	Job Club	01/01/2013
138	South Kerry Development Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
139	South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
140	Southside Local Employment Service/Southside Partnership DLR	Job Club	01/01/2013
141	Southside Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
142	Sports Development Project Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
143	St Canice's Community Action Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
144	St. Mary's & St. Peter's CE Arklow	Job Club	01/01/2013
145	STAR TS Translations	Other	01/01/2013
146	Steve Noone Landscaping	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	24/05/2012
147	Susan Clancy, BPI Consulting / Jim Maher, Trigraph	Training	24/01/2013
148	Thorntons	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	28/08/2013
149	Tipperary Natural Mineral Water	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
150	Tolka Area Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
151	Tolka Area Partnership Limited	Job Club	01/01/2013
152	TOR Financial Consulting	Consultancy related (incl IT external services and eGovt projects)	26/07/2013
153	Trimfold Envelopes Ltd	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	01/01/2013
154	Waterford Area Partnership	Employment Services	01/01/2013
155	Waterford Leader Partnership Ltd	Employment Services	01/01/2013
156	West Limerick Resources Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
157	Westmeath Community Development Ltd	Job Club	01/01/2013
158	Wexford Local Development	Employment Services	01/01/2013
159	William Tracey and Sons ltd.	Facilities Management related (Supplies and Services)	07/08/2012

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Questions (133)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

133. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of semi-State companies under the remit of her Department that have paid bonuses to its employees in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if she will identify these semi-State companies; the number of employees and the level of bonuses paid; her views on the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3702/14]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There are no semi-State companies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection.

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Questions (134)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which RPS consultants became appointed to do a study on our bogs; the amount they are paid and the the outcomes of their study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2999/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Following a public, competitive tendering process, on 14 March 2013 RPS was awarded a contract by my Department for the provision of scientific services required to underpin the development of a National Raised Bog SAC (Special Area of Conservation) Management Plan and a review of raised bog Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). The company has also prepared a draft Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement in respect of the potential environmental impacts of the SAC Management Plan. RPS is now focusing on the development of draft site-specific restoration management plans for each of the raised bog SACs.

The value of the contract is €957,370 (excluding VAT) over two years, with the option of extending the contract for a third year. All details of work being undertaken as part of this contract are available at www.raisedbogconservation.com.

Outsourcing of Public Services

Questions (135)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

135. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total amount of outsourcing that has been achieved in his Department since the letter sent by Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2012; the names of the outsourcing companies that have been involved; the total savings achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3296/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department is committed to examining all options, including alternative delivery mechanisms where appropriate, in order to achieve cost savings and enhance the services it provides. My Department has not engaged the services of specialist outsourcing companies, as it does not have the type of large scale transaction processing or direct service provision responsibilities in which such companies specialise. However, certain work is contracted out from time to time in cases where specific expertise is required. This is particularly the case in relation to technical advice, engineering services and some architectural services. My Department will continue to seek to maximise the value for money it can achieve with the resources available to it, including through the use of external providers, where appropriate.

Departmental Bodies Establishment

Questions (136)

Dara Calleary

Question:

136. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of new agencies and State bodies established since 9 March 2011 under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3342/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I can confirm that no new agencies or State Bodies have been established by my Department since 9 March 2011.

Public Sector Management Appointments

Questions (137)

Seán Fleming

Question:

137. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether all senior appointment to taxpayer funded positions in the public service under the remit of his Department including appointment to State boards, should be publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3195/14]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

All senior appointments to public bodies under the aegis of my Department are publically advertised in accordance with Government Policy.

This Government has made changes in relation to appointments to State Boards and bodies with new arrangements involving advertisement of vacancies for applications from suitably qualified candidates and, in accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, I have, each year, on my Department's website, invited Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department and this information has been used to inform decisions for such appointments.