Dara Calleary
Question:347. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the net number of jobs that were created in the green economy during 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4198/14]
View answerJob Creation Data
Questions (347)
Written answers
The Green Economy covers a wide range of sectors that have in common the objective of providing goods and services in a sustainable way that reduces the impact on the environment. In Ireland, it covers activities such as waste and water management, renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable food production, tourism, green financial services and green products and services.
It is internationally acknowledged that quantifying employment in the Green Economy is a difficult task. The numbers arrived at vary substantially depending on the definition and methodology used. Existing classification systems, such as NACE codes, are limited in terms of capturing activity in the Green Economy since it cuts across so many different sectors. However, in accordance with a commitment in the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs (Action 278), my Department is working on a preliminary study on benchmarking employment in the Green Economy in Ireland.
In addition, in December 2013, my Department published a Progress Report on Jobs and Growth in the Green Economy, highlighting some key developments since the Government Policy Statement on Growth and Employment in the Green Economy, Delivering our Green Potential, was published in November 2012. The Progress Report includes practical examples of enterprises which are creating jobs, driving exports and improving competitiveness through activity in the Green Economy in Ireland. The Progress Report is available on the publications page of my Department’s website: http://www.djei.ie/publications.
Retail Sector
Questions (348)
Dara Calleary
Question:348. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the recommendations that have been made by the interdepartmental group on the retail sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4200/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 2013 Action Plan for Jobs contained a number of measures aimed at supporting the retail sector. These included an initiative to increase the number of small businesses trading on-line and a project to streamline business licence application procedures for the retail sector. In addition, the Action Plan included a commitment to establish an Interdepartmental Group to consider further possible measures which could be taken to support job creation/retention in the sector.
The Interdepartmental Group was convened in May of last year and held a number of meetings with the main representative bodies for the retail sector and other stakeholders, including practitioners, workers' representatives and the INOU. The purpose of the meetings was to get a better understanding of the key issues for the sector and to give the participants an opportunity to outline their ideas for actions that could be taken by the Government to support the sector.
Suggestions received from this consultation process covered the following broad topics:
- Business Costs/Administration
- Planning Issues
- Skills/Training for the sector
- Social Welfare System
- Access to Finance
- Government Administration
- Hidden Economy
- Taxation
These proposals were assessed by the Interdepartmental Group and, in accordance with the Group's Terms of Reference, a short report was prepared, outlining the actions recommended for implementation in the context of the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs.
I am currently finalising the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government, and it will include a number of specific actions to support the Retail sector. The Action Plan will be published shortly, following its approval by Government.
Small and Medium Enterprises Supports
Questions (349)
Dara Calleary
Question:349. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Irish small and medium-sized enterprises that migrated to a cloud computing model through the innovation voucher scheme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4204/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers scheme seeks to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers and small businesses while ultimately helping to inspire in-company cultural shifts in their approach to innovation. The scheme provides €5,000 Vouchers to companies who wish to have an initial exploration of a particular business opportunity with a higher education research group.
In line with the commitment in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 the benefit of utilising cloud computing solutions was one of the many innovative opportunities that companies were encouraged to investigate via this scheme in 2013. For example, the application of Innovation Vouchers for cloud computing was promoted at Enterprise Ireland’s Excel at Selling Workshops on Cloud Computing, at the Cloud Awareness seminars jointly conducted by Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Internet Association and via the Cloud Computing Cluster which is supported by Enterprise Ireland under the Cluster Initiative.
I am informed by Enterprise Ireland that of the 1008 Innovation Vouchers approved in 2013 there were 86 projects proposed in the cloud computing space. Of these 42 were focussed on migrating aspects of the companies’ business to cloud computing.
The Innovation Voucher initiative has proven to be a very useful tool in encouraging companies to embark on initial innovation projects and to collaborate with higher education research groups and it will continue to be a useful means of promoting innovations, such as cloud computing, to SMEs.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (350)
Michael McGrath
Question:350. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will, in respect of his Department's audit committee, provide details of its current membership; the date of appointment of each member; the fees paid to each member; if members of the committee are required to hold certain professional qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4220/14]
View answerWritten answers
The membership of my Department's Audit Committee, which is in full compliance with Civil Service requirements is as follows.
|
- |
Member |
Date appointed |
|
1 |
Ms Julie O’Neill (Chair of the Committee) |
May 2010 |
|
2 |
Ms Yvonne McBain |
June 2011 |
|
3 |
Ms Anne Troy |
March 2008 |
|
4 |
Mr Martin Shanagher |
June 2012 |
|
5 |
Mr Pat McCourt |
December 2012 |
Two members are Civil Servants and therefore are not in receipt of a fee in respect their duties on the Audit Committee. A fee of up to €1,800 per annum, inclusive of related PAYE and PRSI, has been approved for the external members of Civil Service Audit Committees. This fee is not being availed of by all the external members on my Departments Audit Committee.
The members of my Department's Audit Committee have a suitable mix of relevant expertise, skills and qualifications including audit, financial, business, Information Communication Technology and Civil Service related qualifications.
Company Returns
Questions (351)
Michael McGrath
Question:351. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of annual company returns that were filed late in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4227/14]
View answerWritten answers
According to the records of the Companies Registration Office, 18,177 annual returns were deemed to have been filed late in 2013. This figure represents 13.6% of all the annual returns received by that Office during 2013.
The percentage of companies filing an annual return on time has steadily increased. 82.3% of companies filed on time in 2011, 85.2% filed on time in 2012 and that percentage rose to 86.4% in 2013.
Job Creation
Questions (352)
Ann Phelan
Question:352. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the up-to-date position regarding the former Braun site in County Carlow; the plans the industrial development Agency has in respect of this site; when it was last visited by IDA Ireland; the contact IDA Ireland has had with the Carlow local authority on developing the site; if any meetings have taken place on subdividing the site to make it more attractive for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4283/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by IDA Ireland that the former Braun Oral B site in County Carlow is available to the market through property agents Jones Lang LaSalle. The facility, which is privately owned, is a significant industrial complex comprising a series of interconnected manufacture and warehouse buildings totalling some 227,335 square feet on a site of approximately 29 acres and is available for lease at a quoted rate of €800,000 (€3.52 per square feet) per annum, or to purchase at a quoted price of €8 million.
IDA Ireland has endeavoured to profile the facility to potential overseas investors investigating business locations with a property requirement similar to what this site offers. The facility is included on the long list of any large scale industrial requirement enquiry, which potential clients screen to create their short list. In the past 12-13 months this has resulted in two potential investor visits to the site, the most recent of which was in March 2013.
The Agency have also informed me that they are in frequent and on-going contact with the property agents and they are aware of any potential investor interest in the site. As the facility is in private ownership, IDA Ireland does not control how the site is offered to the market and does not have authority to subdivide the site. However, the Agency has assured me that it continually promotes and markets the property to overseas clients wishing to invest in Co. Carlow.
Appointments to State Boards
Questions (353)
Pearse Doherty
Question:353. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department that were made as a result of applications made through the publicjobs.ie website in the past three years; the number of board posts that were advertised on publicjobs.ie; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were directly appointed; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4596/14]
View answerWritten answers
Since coming to Office in March 2011, I have made 89 appointments to the Boards of Agencies under my Department's remit. It should be noted that of these, only 30 were new appointments within my discretion. 21 appointments were reappointments and the remaining 38 were allocated under legislation to Department Representatives, social partners, nominees of other Ministers, nominees of prescribed bodies and appointments on an Ex Officio basis and were not appropriate, therefore, for advertisement on publicjobs.ie.
Of the 30 new appointments made at my discretion, 25 were advertised on publicjobs.ie while 5 were not and a total of 20 appointments were selected from applicants to publicjobs.ie.
With regard to board membership fees, it should be noted that fees are not paid to all appointees. In some cases members may have opted to waive their fees, some members will be subject to the ‘one person one salary’ principle (which precludes additional remuneration if already in receipt of a public salary) and others are Department nominees at official level who are not entitled to fees.
The board fees payable in respect of the 30 appointments made at my discretion are shown on the following table.
Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Board Appointments
|
Agency |
Fee* |
Number of Appointees |
|
€11,970 |
3 |
|
|
Enterprise Ireland |
€20,520 |
1 |
|
Nil |
1 |
|
|
€7,695 |
5 |
|
|
InterTrade Ireland |
€11,970 |
1 |
|
Nil |
1 |
|
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
€11,970 |
1 |
|
Nil |
2 |
|
|
€7,695 |
2 |
|
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
€11,970 |
1 |
|
€7,695 |
1 |
|
|
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority |
€11,970 |
1 |
|
National Consumer Agency |
€11,970 |
3 |
|
Nil |
1 |
|
|
Industrial Development Agency Ireland |
€11,970 |
2 |
|
€11,970 |
3 |
|
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
€20,520 |
1 |
*Non-commercial Public Service Bodies are categorised in four categories according to the pay of their chief executive officers. The current rates of fees payable to members of their boards are as follows:
|
Category 1 |
Chairperson |
€29,888 |
|
Directors |
€14,963 |
|
|
Category 2 |
Chairperson |
€20,520 |
|
Directors |
€11,970 |
|
|
Category 3 |
Chairperson |
€11,970 |
|
Directors |
€7,695 |
|
|
Category 4 |
Chairperson |
€8,978 |
|
Directors |
€5,985 |
Consultancy Contracts Data
Questions (354)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:354. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of pro bono work provided by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months to his Department; which of those firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4610/14]
View answerWritten answers
Pro bono work has been provided by the following legal, accountancy and consulting firms for my Department as follows:-
1 January 2012 - 31 December 2013
|
Name of Legal /Accountancy/Consultancy/ Firm |
Level of pro bono work provided to DJEI |
|
KPMG on behalf of the Chartered Accountants Ireland |
Assistance with drafting of Explanatory Memorandum in relation to Chapter 6 of the Companies Bill 2012 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Two apprentices completed a secondment (2.5 weeks) learning about the legislative process and assisting with administration |
The following of these firms was also awarded a contract by my Department during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013.
|
Name of Legal/Accountancy/Consultancy/Firm with paid contract awarded by DJEI |
|
Arthur Cox |
In addition to the information above, I would also point out that the Company Law Review Group (the CLRG) advises me as Minister on changes required to company law with specific regard to promoting enterprise, facilitating commerce, simplifying legislation, enhancing corporate governance and encouraging commercial probity. The Group works on Work Programmes that are settled by me as Minister every second year, and the main area of the CLRG’s efforts over the last 12 years has been the overhaul of Irish company law, which has resulted in the Companies Bill 2012. The Chairperson and several of the members of the CLRG are either practising lawyers or accountants in legal or accounting firms. However, they do not represent their firms while on the CLRG – rather they are appointed either for their personal expertise or as a representative of their professional body. While the Chairperson is paid an annual fee, all other members give their time for free. Details of the membership of the CLRG are available on the Group’s website at www.clrg.org/About-Us/Members.
Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
Questions (355)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:355. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation-cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4623/14]
View answerWritten answers
I have interpreted the Deputy's question to relate to the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013. The following are the consulting firms, in order of fee generation/cost engaged by my Department, during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013.
|
Name of Consultancy Firm |
Fee generation/cost€ |
|
A&L Goodbody Solicitors |
167,971.00 |
|
Deloitte |
102,872.62 |
|
Ward Solutions |
61,449.00 |
|
Fitzpatrick & Associates |
47,417.00 |
|
PriceWaterhouseCoopers |
40,646.58 |
|
RSM McClure Watters |
35,498.00 |
|
AD Little |
32,800.00 |
|
Version 1 |
29,667.00 |
|
First Choice Finance Services Ltd. |
24,600.00 |
|
Cyril O'Neill Legal Costs Accountants |
21,362.67 |
|
Janet Hughes |
17,835.00 |
|
Peter Fitzpatrick & Co., Legal Cost Accountants |
14,630.85 |
|
Barberry Ltd t/a Keating & Associates |
8,451.00 |
|
HM Ventures |
7,500.00 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
7,000.00 |
|
Tom Martin & Associates/TMA |
5,547.30 |
|
Prof. Bill Roche |
3,200.00 |
|
Arthur Cox |
3,188.86 |
|
Achilles Procurement Services |
2,560.00 |
Pension Fund Fees
Questions (356)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:356. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering, as in the UK, the introduction of legislation to limit the size of fees charged on pension products and pension investment products, including ARFs. [3662/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Report on Pension Charges was completed and published in October 2012. This Report was undertaken by my Department, working with the Central Bank and the Pensions Board, and with support from PricewaterhouseCoopers. The primary objective of the report was to gather information on the level of pension charges levied, to assess whether these charges are reasonable and transparent, to report on the findings and to make recommendations. The report highlights a wide range of issues in relation to pension charges and identifies that there are major challenges to be addressed in the two main areas of reasonableness and transparency of charges. The report shows that small percentages can add up to big reductions in a pension fund over time.
The launch of the Report was followed by a three month consultation with stakeholders. There was a broad range of views expressed in the submissions received as well as a range of suggestions and proposals aimed at improving various aspects of the pension charging environment. Following the consultation period, it was agreed by Government in April 2013 that the recommendations contained in the report will be implemented, and this work is underway.
A Pension Charges Working Group is in place to initiate actions that follow up on the recommendations of the report. This group comprises the Department of Social Protection, the Pensions Board and the Central Bank. Each has a core role to play in delivering on the recommendations contained within the Report on Pension Charges and work has commenced in this regard.
Additionally, progress on the issue of pension charges will be supported by recent actions to restructure the Pensions Board and strengthen governance and regulation of the country’s occupational pensions and give consumer representatives a greater input into pensions policy. I have highlighted that the first task of the new Pensions Council will be to monitor the implementation of the recommendations in the Report on Pension Charges and advise if further actions are needed. The range of possible actions in this area would then be considered and, should it prove necessary, I will bring a further policy and regulatory response to Government.
Question No. 357 withdrawn.
Household Benefits Scheme
Questions (358, 361)
Michael McCarthy
Question:358. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the position in respect of the abolition of the telephone allowance; the implications this decision has had on old age pensioners and persons living alone in rural isolated areas; if she has given due consideration to an alternative system for persons who live on their own; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3487/14]
View answer
Eric J. Byrne
Question:361. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind the removal of the free telephone allowance from the household benefits package; if it is envisaged that this payment will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3546/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 361 together.
The overall concern of the Government in recent 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 2013, an increase of 25%. Each year almost 10,000 extra customers became eligible for the allowance because of the increased number of pension recipients.
The telephone allowance was abolished from 1 January 2014. I am not in a position to reinstate the allowance.
I am keenly aware of the impact on the Department’s customers and particularly those who are living alone. In Budget 2014, I was able to maintain the rate of the living alone allowance at €7.70 per week. While the decision to the telephone allowance was a difficult one it allowed my Department to maintain at the same rates the other elements of the household benefits package, such as the free electricity/gas allowance and the free television licence. These are very valuable supports for customers. We have also maintained the value of the fuel allowance and free travel.
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 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.
The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government operates 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 budget allocation for 2013 was €2.35 million. There has been no reduction in this funding in Budget 2014.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (359)
Tom Fleming
Question:359. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3488/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18 December 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 (360)
Pearse Doherty
Question:360. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused carer's allowance for their parent on medical grounds when their parent successfully qualified for carer's allowance last year and their sibling had been in receipt of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3538/14]
View answerWritten answers
The carer’s allowance application, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who was of the opinion that the person being cared for is not so invalided or disabled as to require full-time care and attention as laid down in carer’s allowance legislation.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 21 January 2014 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
Question No. 361 answered with Question No. 358.
National Internship Scheme Data
Questions (362, 387, 410)
Dara Calleary
Question:362. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons with a FETAC qualification level of seven or more who have taken part in the JobBridge scheme; the numbers of level 7, level 8, level 9 and level 10 separately; the number in each category who went on to employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3573/14]
View answer
Willie O'Dea
Question:387. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who secure full employment after engaging in the JobBridge scheme; the number of these employees who remain with the original hosting company under the scheme when the internship period is over; if she has any concerns with the potential abuse of employees under the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3854/14]
View answer
Denis Naughten
Question:410. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties created by JobBridge rules which prevent an intern being taken on by a sole trader who does not have one full-time employee; if her attention has been drawn to the implications this may have for persons wishing to learn a trade in the crafts area, such as woodcarving; the plans she has to address this anomaly; the plans she has to introduce any exemptions to this rule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4051/14]
View answerWritten answers
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 362, 387 and 410 together.
The Department does not collect statistics on the FETAC qualifications of JobBridge interns. However, an independent evaluation of the scheme found that 35.9% of interns hold qualifications below primary degree level, with 22.4% of interns having a postgraduate qualification. The evaluation also found that 53.9% of graduate (including post graduate) former interns and 48.1% of non-graduate interns moved into paid employment on completion of their internship.
The independent evaluation also found that 61.4% of former interns had progressed into employments within 5 months of finishing their internship. Of those who were in employment, 55.5% were employed by their host organization, 16.9% were employed by another organisation in the same sector as their host organisation and 27.6% were employed in another sector.
The Department’s requirement that a host organisation must have at least one employee to be eligible to participate in JobBridge is one of a range of measures the Department has put in place to safeguard the intern. To ensure that the internship experience will include learning drawn from the example and experience of peers in host organisations. This will ultimately enhance the internship experience for the intern and will significantly increase their learning and development thereby increasing their employability.
As the Deputy will be aware, I recently launched an initiative: JobBridge in the Craft Sector in conjunction with the Crafts Council of Ireland. This allows an individual craftsperson to pass on their skills and experiences to an intern. Following the initial success of this initiative, I recently extended the number of placements to 100. Further information, including how to participate in this initiative is available from the Crafts Council of Ireland.
Community Welfare Services Provision
Questions (363)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:363. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she or her Department has plans to withdraw the walk-in community welfare service from locations other than Athy in County Kildare; the reason her Department might contemplate such action; if she will desist from taking such action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3583/14]
View answerWritten answers
The changes made in restructuring the community welfare service in Athy and the reasons for the changes were outlined to the Deputy in my reply to PQs Nos. 123 of 23 January 2014 and 128 of 28 January 2014. Similar restructuring has taken place in other areas in the county and these are listed in the table below.
As I outlined in my previous replies, the community welfare service in the areas affected which was formerly available at walk-in clinics is now available Monday to Friday through initial telephone contact, which means the service can be delivered without the need to attend a clinic. Telephone calls are followed by appointments if necessary, home visit or application by post for non-urgent claims.
All calls are returned within one working day and emergency calls are prioritised. Where any customers are not able by reason of illness or disability to attend an appointment arrangements will be made to see them in their home.
The situation will be kept under constant review and will be examined in the context of resources available and service requirements into the future.
Contact details for the Community Welfare Service in the areas affected are as follows:
|
Area |
Telephone |
|
Athy - Castledermot |
045 - 887831 |
|
Dunlavin – Ballitore – Baltinglass |
045 - 887829 |
|
Monasterevin – Rathangan - Kildare |
045 0 887830 |
|
Newbridge – Curragh - Suncroft |
045 - 887821 |
|
Clane – Kilmeague – Prosperous – Robertstown - Allenwood |
045 - 887823 |
|
Naas – Caragh – Sallins – Johnstown – Kill - Kilcullen |
1800 - 383899 |
|
Rent Supplement Claims |
1890 - 800698 |
|
Mortgage Interest Supplement claims |
045 - 887833 |
|
Fax Number for Referrals |
045 - 887845 |
|
Postal Address for all Referrals |
P.O. Box 700, Naas, Co. Kildare. |
Anti-Social Behaviour
Questions (364)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:364. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the initiatives taken by her Department to deal with persons in receipt of rent allowance who are engaged in anti-social activity; if her Department has withdrawn rent allowance from persons engaged in such activity; if she will give consideration to the vetting of applicants for rent allowance to minimise the spread of anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3584/14]
View answerWritten answers
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. There are currently approximately 80,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.
In the case of private rented accommodation, tenancy arrangements involve a contract between the landlord and the tenant. The Department has no relationship with the landlord and tenant behaviour is a matter for the landlord in the first instance. There are a number of avenues open to landlords in such cases, including the mediation service for landlords and tenants operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) and/or recourse to the Garda Síochána and/or the Courts in relation to the enforcement of the law in dealing with anti-social or criminal behaviour.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 tenants are obliged not to behave within a dwelling, or in the vicinity of it, in a way that is anti-social. Landlords are obliged to enforce the tenant’s obligations, and may seek termination of a tenancy due to a tenant’s antisocial behaviour. Landlords who fail to enforce the tenant’s obligations may be subject to a fine imposed by the PRTB. Termination of the tenancy would result in the termination of rent supplement.
The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides the Department with the authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body where the reasons for that requirement include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate management. Statistics are not available on the number of rent supplement cases withdrawn for this reason.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to review the operation of the rent supplement to ensure that tenants who are receiving long term support from the State under the rent supplement scheme are subject to the same type of anti-social behaviour regime as local authority tenants. The most appropriate way for this to happen is for local authorities to take over responsibility for meeting the accommodation needs of these individuals, which would also result in these individuals being subject to the local authority vetting procedures. This will be delivered through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) with local authorities taking over the responsibility for meeting the accommodation needs of individuals who have long term housing needs and are currently in receipt of rent supplement. The Department is currently working closely with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to implement a pilot of the HAP scheme in early 2014.
Departmental Staff Redeployment
Questions (365)
Dara Calleary
Question:365. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the position of community development officer with responsibility for community employment schemes has been moved from Ballina DSP office to Castlebar DSP office; the reason Ballina will no longer have a community development officer with responsibility for community employment based in the town; the recruitment process for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3598/14]
View answerWritten answers
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
This includes meeting commitments under the Pathways to Work programme to provide opportunities, support and assistance to people on the Live Register by intensifying the Department’s level of engagement with people who are unemployed and, in particular, those who are, or become, long-term unemployed.
As part of these commitments, and in particular to enhance the roll-out to the Intreo service, it has been decided to reconfigure Community Services in County Mayo concentrating this area of work in Castlebar and freeing up staff in Ballina for activation duties.
The service being provided to Community Employment schemes in County Mayo will not be affected by these changes.
National Internship Scheme Data
Questions (366)
Gerry Adams
Question:366. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth in her Department from September 2013 until January 2014. [3612/14]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Deputy's query, my Department took on two JobBridge interns between September 2013 and January 2014. Neither of the interns were taken on from County Louth.
Question No. 367 answered with Question No. 112.
Invalidity Pension Appeals
Questions (368)
Noel Coonan
Question:368. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for invalidity pension appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3666/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 20 January 2014 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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 Benefit Appeals
Questions (369)
Bernard Durkan
Question:369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has appealed the decision not to award carer's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3735/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22 January 2014. 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.
Your request for an oral hearing of this case will be brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer who is assigned this appeal.
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.