Written Answers Nos. 362-86
362. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the consumer protection and competition Bill; when he expects it to be introduced; and his views on the aims which it is hoped will be achieved by this legislation. [9700/14]
View answerWork on drafting the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, which is included in the "A list" in the Government’s current Legislative Programme, is at an advanced stage and it is hoped to publish the Bill in March on foot of receipt of a stamped copy of the Bill from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
In addition to giving effect to the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers, the Bill will, inter alia, merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, update and reform competition law on foot of a review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002, and introduce enabling provisions to regulate for certain practices in the grocery goods sector.
363. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any of the provisions contained within Directive 2013/34/EU on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings will impact on the non-filing structure being used by Irish companies to avoid filing their accounts with the Companies Registration Office; if any of the provisions contained within Directive 2013/34/EU will impact on the ability of multinational corporations here to avoid putting their financial accounts on public record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8894/14]
View answerDirective 2013/34/EU "the Accounting Directive" applies primarily to limited liability companies, but like Directive 78/660/EEC which it supersedes, Directive 2013/34/EU may apply to unlimited companies and partnerships where the shareholders or partners are themselves limited liability companies. Without such a provision it would be possible for unlimited companies and partnerships to carry on a business or trade without having to file financial statements or accounts with the Companies Registration Office while their ultimate owners enjoyed limited liability.
I understand that the requirements of Article 1 of Directive 2013/34/EU differ from the counterpart Article (also Article 1) of Directive 78/660/EEC and that this may result in more unlimited companies and partnerships having to file financial statements with the Companies Registration Office. This Directive does not make any specific reference to multinational corporations.
Directive 2013/34/EC is required to be transposed into national law in all Member States by 20 July 2015. My Department recently issued a consultation paper as regards the Member State options contained in the Directive, none of which pertain to Article 1.
364. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department has supports in place to encourage peer-to-peer lending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8982/14]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs 2013 set 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 business operating in Ireland and also the various growth phases of a business. The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 will build on the work undertaken in 2013 in this area.
365. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 4 February 2014, if he will provide in tabular form a county breakdown of the 153 approved microenterprise loan fund applications according to where applicants are based, as requested. [9077/14]
View answerAs indicated in Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 4 February 2014 Microfinance Ireland (MFI) has approved 153 applications to the value of €2.37m supporting 338 jobs.
My Department publishes quarterly reports on the progress of MFI on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The 2013 4th quarter progress report on MFI showing detailed breakdown of lending in each county and other analysis for year ending 31 December 2013 is available on my Department's website. The next quarterly report is due to be published in April 2014.
366. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis of the number of jobs supported by Microfinance Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9086/14]
View answerAs of 31 December 2013 310 jobs have been supported by Microfinance Ireland (MFI).
My Department publishes quarterly reports on the progress of MFI on the Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The 2013 4th quarter progress report on MFI showing a detailed analysis for year ending 31 December 2013 is available on my Department’s website. The next quarterly report is due to be published in April 2014.
367. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Patient Focus is a private company, compliant with the reporting obligations of company law; if it has been so compliant since 2004; and if not, the steps that have been taken to remedy this. [9366/14]
View answerThe Companies Registration Office website www.cro.ie provides a facility whereby any person can search by company name or company number for any company registered in Ireland. The Companies Registration Office website allows a user to view the history of all the documents that the company has filed in accordance with its obligations under company law. This service is free to all members of the public.
The company to which the Deputy refers is registered in the Companies Registration Office as a guarantee company without a share capital. I am informed that the company paid late filing penalties in respect of the annual returns for the years 2006, 2007 and 2013. It is currently up-to-date in relation to its annual return and accounts filing obligations.
368. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grants available to support business start-ups; if such grants are available to persons taking up franchise opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9377/14]
View answerThe main sources of direct support to business start-ups, including franchises, through my Department are Enterprise Ireland and the City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs).
Anyone interested in starting their own business should in the first instance contact their local County and City Enterprise Board (CEB). The CEBs support the indigenous micro- enterprise sector (less than ten employees) in the start- up and expansion phases and stimulate enterprise potential at local level. They are the first point of call in terms of advice, direction, training and grant support for anyone who wishes to start a business. Contact details for the CEBs are available on www.enterpriseboards.ie. CEBs can also refer clients to other appropriate agencies, for example Enterprise Ireland.
The CEBs generally only provide grants to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities and graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. Retail enterprises (where franchise opportunities mainly exist) are ineligible for direct financial support from CEBs due to concerns over displacement as grant- assisted projects may simply displace business from other players in the local market.
However, any start- up can use the CEBs as a gateway to accessing finance from Micro Finance Ireland, which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start- up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. The Fund has a significant entrepreneurship focus and is open to anyone with a viable business proposal. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local CEB.
Further, anyone interested in availing of franchising as a business option could benefit from participating in the CEB non-financial or "soft" support programmes. All locally trading businesses, including start- ups, can avail of non-financial assistance from their CEB in the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability training and development programmes, e-Commerce training initiatives, etc. Training courses include such topics as start-your-own-business (SYOB), taxation for beginners, internet marketing, ideas generation and negotiation skills. Indeed the SYOB course would cover the key issues in starting a business and would complement the information that would be provided by the franchisor.
The Deputy may wish to note that the system for delivery of State supports to micro and small enterprises is being reformed and the 35 existing County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) will be dissolved and new Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will be created. This reform will bring about a new level of engagement and interaction at both national and local level in relation to enterprise support and economic recovery and growth. The target date for the legal dissolution of the CEBs and the formal launch of the LEOs is mid-April, 2014.
Enterprise Ireland’s client base comprises four main categories: Manufacturing and internationally traded services companies employing ten or more people (with a focus on exporting or with the potential to export); Innovation-led start-ups with the potential to grow on international markets and; Irish food companies - both those home-grown in Ireland, and those that are overseas owned or controlled.
However, as companies seeking franchise opportunities are primarily local market focused and seeking to become a franchisee of some international or national offerings in the local area, and as such would not be potential clients of Enterprise Ireland.
369. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects to visit the USA next for a trade mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9416/14]
View answerThe USA is one of Ireland’s key exporting destinations. Recent statistics released by the CSO show that for 2013, USA is still the number one destination for goods exported from Ireland.
As part of the St. Patrick's Day Promote Ireland Programme, there will be several members of the Government in the USA assisting with trade promotion events. The Taoiseach will have his traditional bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama as well attending several other Trade, Investment and Tourism events. Also in the USA over this period will be the Minister for Social Protection in New York, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in San Francisco, the Minister for Health in Boston and Cleveland, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in Atlanta and Savannah, the Attorney General in Washington D.C. the Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht and the Islands in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and the Minister of State with responsibility for Research and Innovation in Chicago and Kansas City. All these Ministers will be taking part in many events aimed at promoting trade, tourism, inward-investment and culture abroad in order to foster economic growth and job creation at home.
In 2014, I plan to lead a mission to Texas and the Southern States in May having successfully led Ireland's first Trade Mission to that region in 2013. I also plan on leading a Mission in the third quarter of the year to the North East of the USA for which arrangements have yet to be finalised.
370. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the chief executive officers of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are on Hay contracts and those who are not on Hay contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10129/14]
View answerThere are no commercial Semi State companies under the aegis of my Department, and consequently no CEO’s on Hay contracts.
371. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that social welfare recipients will still be able to collect a manual payment at their post office and not be forced to accept an electronic payment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9757/14]
View answer376. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the concerns in the post office network about the proposed changes in her Department's payment methods; her plans regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8998/14]
View answer382. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department is bypassing post offices by driving more social welfare recipients over to electronic payments through the banking system; if she will give a commitment that her Department will cease what it is doing and encourage recipients to use the local post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9120/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 371, 376 and 382 together.
At present, welfare clients who are paid through the post office network are paid in cash. It gives rise to a distribution of some €9.5 billion in cash annually. Some nine hundred thousand (900,000) clients of the Department are paid in this manner, accounting for some fifty per cent (50%) of all welfare payments. On foot of a new contract signed by me a little more than two months ago, the contract for these services will generate sums in excess of €50 million in revenue to An Post in the coming year. This contract is quite clearly substantial in terms of reach, value and impact.
However, cash payments are an inherently expensive means of paying clients. It costs the Department six and a half times more to issue a payment to a customer in cash than it does by EFT. Almost sixteen per cent (16%) of the Department’s budget for administration is being spent on the costs associated with delivering payments to welfare clients. This approach requires ongoing review.
Consumer behaviour now shows a very high movement towards online and electronic payments. Electronic point-of-sale transactions increased by approximately 20% year on year in 2013. The number of point-of-sale terminals in now heading towards 60,000 with approximately one in six of these offering “contactless” payment facilities. Last year some 300 million transactions were made with payment cards. Some 21 million journeys were made using Leap cards in 2013. Consumers generally, including the vast majority of our clients, are increasingly adept and willing to adopt electronic payment approaches as a matter of convenience. In keeping with these behavioural shifts, my Department must look for opportunities to keep abreast of societal changes, provide better and more secure customer service, while also continuing to serve those who are more vulnerable in our society.
Many of our customers while having a bank account, credit union account or other account in a financial institution which can receive electronic payments are still being paid in cash. This is a costly choice for us to support, particularly when budgets at a national level remain so constrained.
Accordingly, my Department has developed a Payments Strategy. The overall objective of this Strategy, which was approved by the Government last year, is to modernise the Department’s payment delivery approach by delivering payments to clients electronically and in a way that facilitates onward e-payments by the client. In recognising this movement towards the electronic handling of payments, the Strategy lays out a road map for a progressive movement towards increased use of electronic channels in the disbursement of welfare payments. This road map adopts a phased approach to implementation. The progression to electronic payments is a critical element of the wider National Payments Plan aimed at removing the very high levels of cash usage in the Irish economy which will contribute to improved national competitiveness. The Strategy supports wider Government objectives for increased efficiency in public services and better services to customers that suit changing behaviours, while also increasing levels of financial inclusion among the Department’s clients. I must reiterate however that I have consistently confirmed that no customer will be left without a payment simply by virtue of not being able to receive it electronically.
I am conscious of the important role of the post office around the country, notably the extent to which it is now a one stop shop where people can pay bills, purchase mobile phone top ups, use the passport application facility, pay local property tax or garda fines, and carry out a range of banking and other financial services. The Government has stated its commitment to maintaining the post office network in the Programme for Government. However, I am also aware that the business risks facing An Post cannot be placed solely on the door step of proposed changes to welfare payments. The Deputies may be interested to know that over the past ten years, the number of post office outlets countrywide has fallen by one third. Over this same period, mostly due to the downturn experienced in the economy generally, the volume of welfare payments routed through the post offices rose by seven per cent (7%). This increased transaction volume has derived significant additional revenues to An Post and the postmasters. And still, despite increased transaction numbers, the post offices numbers fell to levels which are now about two thirds of what they were a decade ago.
Undeniably a loss in the current revenue stream from social welfare payments would impact on An Post. I understand that in anticipation of the increasing use of EFT generally, An Post has prepared and implemented a strategy which aims to address the reality of increased use of electronic payment methods within the economy. On the revenue side, An Post has made significant progress in developing new commercial opportunities with other financial and payments institutions, notably with AIB and Aviva. New lines of business have been generated such as foreign exchange where An Post now holds 30% of the domestic foreign exchange business.
I know that my colleague Minister Rabbitte is working closely with the Board of An Post in identifying new retail business opportunities for their network. He has consistently repeated his support for the continuing modernisation of post office services and has again just last week spoken of the need for them to compete and win new business that brings benefits to postmasters and communities locally. For my part, I was very happy to back that support with the signing of the contract with An Post in December last for a period of two years with the potential to extend the contractual arrangement for a further four years thereafter. It is important that An Post and postmasters alike replicate this success and continue to work together to maintain financial services in local communities.
372. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community development officers employed by her Department in tabular form; their location across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8880/14]
View answerThe total number of Community Development Officers, at the end of January, was 75. See the following table for breakdown.
The duties of Community Development Officers can vary across DSP divisions. However the main focus of their work is on the administration of Community Employment, Job Initiative Job Clubs and Supported Employment programmes.
|
Division |
No. of CDOs |
Counties in each Division |
|
Cork Central Division |
8 |
Cork City and environs |
|
Dublin Central Division |
8 |
- |
|
Dublin North Division |
4 |
- |
|
Dublin South Division |
5 |
- |
|
Mid Leinster Division |
4 |
Wicklow, Carlow, Kildare |
|
Midlands North Division |
5 |
Meath, Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon |
|
Midlands South Division |
6 |
Offaly, Laois, Tipperary, Kilkenny |
|
Mid-West Division |
6 |
Clare, Limerick |
|
North East Division |
4 |
Louth, Monaghan, Cavan |
|
North West Division |
8 |
Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim |
|
South East Division |
4 |
Waterford, Wexford |
|
South West Division |
7 |
Kerry, Cork County (excluding Cork City) |
|
West Division |
6 |
Galway, Mayo |
|
Total |
75 |
- |
373. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons presently employed on the community services programme, CSP; the number employed on CSP on a county basis; her future plans for the community services programme; the projected number of persons employed on CSP by the end of 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8884/14]
View answerThe community services programme (CSP) is designed to address gaps in service delivery and disadvantage and to ensure that community facilities are utilised. The programme is funded by the Department with day-to-day management of contracts undertaken by Pobal. Some 425 not-for-profit companies and co-operatives shared annual funding of €46m from the programme in 2013. Contract holders must deliver tangible services that are capable of generating non-public revenues from their operations by way of charging fees, sales and/or fundraising and other public funds. The programme is not intended to represent full-funding for any operation. Funding is provided on the basis of a contribution to the cost of a full-time position to support the delivery of the service and includes management and non-management positions. The contribution to a management position is €32,000 per annum and €19,033 to a non-management position. The Department may also provide additional financial support where revenue earning opportunities are limited, to support the development or transition of a service provider and/or to meet other short-lived cash flow shortfalls.
The programme supported around 2,900 people in the delivery of services during 2013. In addition, the Department estimates that between 300 and 400 additional people are engaged by contractors. The following table gives the number of people employed in positions to which the CSP contributes at 31 June 2013. A number of contractors (involving less than 50 full-time equivalent positions) transferred from the programme to the National Transport Authority at the end of 2013. Taking this adjustment into account, I expect that similar level of employment can be maintained for 2014. The Department has no plans for any significant change in the delivery of the CSP.
|
Staff employed in CSP supported positions at 30 June 2013 |
- |
- |
- |
Managers employed on CSP supported position at 30 June 2013 |
- |
- |
- |
|
County |
Full Time |
Part Time |
Total |
County |
Full Time |
Part Time |
Total |
|
Carlow |
15 |
17 |
32 |
Carlow |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Cavan |
27 |
2 |
29 |
Cavan |
6 |
0 |
6 |
|
Clare |
33 |
58 |
91 |
Clare |
8 |
2 |
10 |
|
Cork |
42 |
114 |
156 |
Cork |
13 |
4 |
17 |
|
Donegal |
59 |
111 |
170 |
Donegal |
21 |
8 |
29 |
|
Dublin |
204 |
267 |
471 |
Dublin |
52 |
8 |
60 |
|
Galway |
53 |
57 |
110 |
Galway |
17 |
1 |
18 |
|
Kerry |
36 |
129 |
165 |
Kerry |
15 |
0 |
15 |
|
Kildare |
16 |
27 |
43 |
Kildare |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
12 |
24 |
Kilkenny |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Laois |
6 |
12 |
18 |
Laois |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
28 |
40 |
68 |
Leitrim |
10 |
2 |
12 |
|
Limerick |
25 |
61 |
86 |
Limerick |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Longford |
8 |
28 |
36 |
Longford |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Louth |
34 |
57 |
91 |
Louth |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
68 |
144 |
212 |
Mayo |
28 |
0 |
28 |
|
Meath |
17 |
53 |
70 |
Meath |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
20 |
52 |
72 |
Monaghan |
9 |
1 |
10 |
|
Offaly |
19 |
42 |
61 |
Offaly |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
Roscommon |
49 |
69 |
118 |
Roscommon |
16 |
1 |
17 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
24 |
30 |
Sligo |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
11 |
29 |
40 |
Tipperary |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
Waterford |
15 |
34 |
49 |
Waterford |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
26 |
39 |
65 |
Westmeath |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
Wexford |
49 |
103 |
152 |
Wexford |
13 |
0 |
13 |
|
Wicklow |
26 |
92 |
118 |
Wicklow |
10 |
4 |
14 |
|
Total |
904 |
1673 |
2577 |
Total |
296 |
34 |
330 |
374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8885/14]
View answerFollowing a review of the rent supplement claim of the person concerned it was established that the maximum amount of rent supplement payable is €584.40 with effect from January 2014.
375. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that have been put in place to ensure that the JobBridge scheme is not being exploited for cheap labour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8981/14]
View answerA variety of measures have been introduced to protect the intern and to ensure the integrity of the JobBridge scheme. In order for an application from a host organisation to be approved the host organisation must meet a number of criteria. These criteria are designed to ensure that the internship does not displace an existing position, that it provides appropriate training and development experience to the intern, and that appropriate mentoring and support is provided to the Intern. In addition a standard agreement must be signed and agreed to by both the intern and the host organisation. This agreement clearly states the terms of the internship, including the expected working hours, which can range from 30 – 40 hours (maximum) per week, and the specific learning outcomes the intern can expect to gain over the course of the internship.
To ensure that both the host organisation and intern are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme, the Department of Social Protection routinely monitors internships. This involves the regular review of monthly compliance reports and the use of random monitoring site visits during which discussions are held with both parties to the internship. In this regard, over 4,400 on-site monitoring visits have been conducted to-date . As part of this process 98% of internships were found to conform to the requirements of the JobBridge scheme. Remedial action is taken in cases of non-compliance.
It is worth noting that participation in the scheme is voluntary and an intern may contact the JobBridge team at any stage of their internship for advice and support. In addition any individual, whether or not involved in an internship, who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme’s criteria or that a host organisation is abusing the scheme may contact the JobBridge team. All such matters are investigated.
An independent evaluation conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61% of interns progress to paid employment within 5 months of completing their internship.
377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal has been registered in the case of a person (details supplied) Dublin 10 in respect of their jobseeker's allowance application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9002/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 19 February 2014, 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.
378. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans for the 2014 community services programme funding for an organisation (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9023/14]
View answerThe community services programme (CSP) is designed to address gaps in service delivery and disadvantage and to ensure that community facilities are utilised. The programme is funded by the Department with day-to-day management of contracts undertaken by Pobal. Some 425 not-for-profit companies and co-operatives shared annual funding of €46m from the programme in 2013. Contract holders must deliver tangible services that are capable of generating non-public revenues from their operations by way of charging fees, sales and/or fundraising and other public funds. The programme is not intended to represent full-funding for any operation.
Each contract holder is responsible for its own budgets, income, financial and other liabilities. Contracts are generally offered on a three-year cycle based on a business plan or similar submitted by the company. Continued funding is subject to satisfactory compliance with the programme’s operational requirements, financial position of the company, continued eligibility of the company and service, progress on delivery of the stated objectives in the business plan, and an assessment of a business plan for the following three year contact cycle. A regular review process is undertaken to ensure compliance with contract obligations, audit issues, continuing capacity of the organisation to manage public funds, the need for and quality of service delivery, sustainability, and value for money.
A re-contracting process for the period 2014-16 for organisations operating under the Community Services Strand of the programme was undertaken in 2013. This involved the submission of business plans by contracted organisations. These business plans and past performance were reviewed by Pobal and the conclusions submitted to the Department for consideration and decision. The business plan and operations of the company referred to by the Deputy was reviewed under this process. The company in question was approved for a funding contribution for one full-time manager post and four full-time equivalent posts (FTE) up to end of 2013 with a total value of €108,132 pa. The business plan submitted by the company as part of the 2014-16 review process was considered to have limitations including the demonstrated level of activity for the level of funds granted. The level of output delivered by the company was considered low when compared with similar services.
The Department is concerned about the value for money being delivered for the high level of public funds provided to the company. Overall, the total service users of 136 are far below the average of 3,229 for the sector. The Department made a decision to withdraw funding from June 2014 as funding did not represent a good or appropriate use of public funds. The company has been offered an opportunity to seek a review of the decisions made.
380. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made 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. [9071/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 2 September 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 10 February 2014 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.
381. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will issue payment and arrears of a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9084/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer's decision and the file has been returned to the Department for implementation of the decision.
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.
383. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons seeking to set up their own registered business as a sole trader lose their entitlement to collect a weekly State transition pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9127/14]
View answerIncreasing State pension age and the abolition of the State pension (transition) are steps that have been taken to ensure the sustainability of pensions into the future. The decision to reform State pension was taken in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives. These changes were provided for in legislation.
Social insurance contributions (Class S PRSI) were introduced for self-employed people on 6 April 1988. This provides cover for self-employed people for long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widows/widowers pension (contributory). Self-employed people who pay class S PRSI contributions did not qualify for State pension (transition), and accordingly pay a reduced rate of contribution.
The State pension is a very valuable asset and it is important, therefore, that those who claim a State pension have paid sufficient PRSI contributions over a working life to benefit from State pension. The Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund found that self-employed persons enjoy greater value from the payment of social insurance than employed persons, in particular, due to the lower rate of PRSI paid.
384. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding social welfare payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9135/14]
View answerIn December 2013 my Department became aware that the person concerned had commenced employment; consequently details of this employment were requested from his employer and payments of his jobseeker’s allowance were suspended pending receipt of this information. The matter of entitlement to payment for the person concerned for the period 28 October 2013 to 26 January 2014 has not yet been resolved due to inconsistencies in the information provided by the person concerned and his employer. It is proposed to have this matter clarified by way of an inspection of the employer’s employment and wage records by an Inspector from the Department.
Payments of jobseeker’s allowance have been re-instated from 27 January 2014, and all arrears due to him from this date will issue with this week’s payment. The Department has also written to the person concerned regarding the matter of his personal circumstances.
385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9195/14]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 14 January 2014. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
386. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the youth guarantee scheme to be implemented for persons under 25 years in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9199/14]
View answerIt is envisaged that nationally the guarantee as it affects those aged under 18 years will be implemented within 2 years, i.e. by the end of 2015.
The guarantee of an offer of training, education or work experience for those aged 18-24 years after a four month period should be implemented on a phased basis as follows:
- Starting in 2014, and for completion by the end of 2014, processes and programmes will be progressively rolled out to ensure that all of those young unemployed people who need most support (i.e. are assessed as having a low probability of securing employment in the absence of support from the Public Employment Services) will receive a Youth Guarantee offer within four months.
- Starting in 2014, and for completion by the end of 2015, processes and programmes will be progressively rolled out to ensure that all those young unemployed people assessed as having a medium-to-high probability of finding employment will, if still unemployed after nine months, receive a Youth Guarantee Offer.
- During 2014 – 2015 all long-term unemployed young people under 25 will be engaged by the Public Employment Service and will receive a Youth Guarantee offer if still unemployed after four months of this engagement process commencing.
The operation and coverage of the Youth Guarantee offer described above will be reviewed before the end of 2015, in the light of developing events in the economy and in the labour market. Should the labour market situation of young people improve during this period the review will examine opportunities to broaden and deepen the level of supports offered in respect of those young people who continue to be unemployed.
The precise timing of the roll-out of these new processes during the remainder of 2014 has yet to be determined. While implementation of the Youth Guarantee will be a matter for the respective Department of Social Protection Divisions in each geographical area, the timing of roll-out is not likely to differ across the various regions of the country.
