Michael Healy-Rae
Question:132. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseeker's payment in respect of a person (details supplied). [12715/14]
View answerJobseeker's Allowance Appeals
Questions (132)
Written answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 13 February 2014. During the course of the hearing, the person concerned undertook to submit additional information to the Appeals Officer. As soon as that additional information is received from the person concerned, the Appeals Officer will complete her consideration of the 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.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Payments
Questions (133)
Pearse Doherty
Question:133. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for domicilary care allowance applications to be processed; if she can confirm that her Department is currently processing applications from October 2013; the measures she will take to ensure that the applications are processed as promptly as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12729/14]
View answerWritten answers
There is no backlog in domiciliary care allowance (DCA) with the department currently processing claims from December 2013. The average processing time for DCA applications during February 2014 was 9.14 weeks, with a total of 800 applications being processed and pending decision at the end of the month. Customer service is a priority and the department continues to make every effort to process claims promptly and to ensure that customers experience no undue delay in receiving decisions on their DCA applications
Domiciliary Care Allowance Data
Questions (134)
Pearse Doherty
Question:134. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown in tabular form over the past five years of the number of those previously in receipt of domicilary care allowance who have applied for disability allowance upon turning 16 years; the number of these that have been granted disability allowance; the number that have been refused; the number who have appealed the initial decision; the number of successful and unsuccessful appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12730/14]
View answerWritten answers
The statistics, in the format requested by the Deputy, are not available. The Department will, however, be in a position to supply the Deputy with the number of those for whom domiciliary care allowance was paid and which ceased in the last five years, as the child was over 16, and the number of those children that applied for disability allowance, those who are currently in receipt of disability allowance and the number of those who had applied for disability allowance and were refused. As this information is not readily available it will be sent to the Deputy within the next 5 working days.
National Internship Scheme Data
Questions (135)
Heather Humphreys
Question:135. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have participated in JobBridge since its inception on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12731/14]
View answerWritten answers
JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme has made significant progress since it came into operation on 1 July 2011. Over 26,650 internship placements have commenced to-date and over 12,000 companies have participated in the scheme. There are currently 6,586 jobseekers participating in the scheme and 1,729 posts are advertised on the website at www.jobbridge.ie. Independent research indicates that over 60% of interns progress into paid employment within five months of completing their internship. These progression outcomes are exceptionally positive and compare very favourably with European averages in this area. The following table provides a breakdown by county:
|
County |
Finished |
Current |
Total |
|
DUBLIN |
6,940 |
2,033 |
8,973 |
|
CORK |
1,931 |
586 |
2,517 |
|
GALWAY |
1,301 |
403 |
1,704 |
|
LIMERICK |
1,024 |
351 |
1,375 |
|
KILDARE |
676 |
224 |
900 |
|
DONEGAL |
626 |
273 |
899 |
|
WATERFORD |
677 |
203 |
880 |
|
TIPPERARY |
610 |
245 |
855 |
|
WEXFORD |
558 |
209 |
767 |
|
KERRY |
588 |
179 |
767 |
|
MAYO |
463 |
218 |
681 |
|
LOUTH |
492 |
162 |
654 |
|
WESTMEATH |
475 |
152 |
627 |
|
MEATH |
443 |
151 |
594 |
|
CLARE |
440 |
134 |
574 |
|
WICKLOW |
432 |
130 |
562 |
|
SLIGO |
363 |
144 |
507 |
|
MONAGHAN |
326 |
127 |
453 |
|
KILKENNY |
290 |
103 |
393 |
|
CAVAN |
254 |
130 |
384 |
|
LAOIS |
279 |
97 |
376 |
|
CARLOW |
256 |
86 |
342 |
|
OFFALY |
237 |
94 |
331 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
153 |
46 |
199 |
|
LONGFORD |
144 |
54 |
198 |
|
LEITRIM |
86 |
52 |
138 |
|
Grand Total |
20,064 |
6,586 |
26,650 |
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (136)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:136. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth. [12739/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 December 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
State Pensions Reform
Questions (137)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:137. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline all changes to the State pension since January 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12745/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) available at 65, thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years. State pension age will increase further to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028. The State pension (transition) was introduced in 1970 when it was known as the retirement pension. It was designed to bridge the gap between the standard social welfare pension age, which at that time was 70 years of age, and retirement age. Overtime, the age for State pension (contributory) pension was reduced to 66 years.
In the context of State pension reforms, and in order to provide for sustainable pensions and to facilitate a longer working life, a number of other reforms to State pensions have recently been introduced as follows:
- With effect from April 2012, and as provided for in legislation in 1997, the number of paid contributions required to qualify for a State pension increased from 260 paid contributions to 520 paid contributions.
- As provided for in Budget 2012, from September 2012, new rate bands for State pension were introduced. These additional payment rate bands more accurately reflect the social insurance history of a person and ensure that those who contribute more during a working life benefit more in retirement than those with lesser contributions.
- As announced in Budget 2012, the period for which a claim for State pension can be backdated is six months. This change came into effect in April 2012.
- From December 2013, the number of paid contributions required for Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s pension increased from 156 contributions to 260 contributions.
Following considerable policy analysis, it is planned to introduce a “total contributions approach” to determine eligibility for a State pension. The level of pension paid will be directly proportionate to the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life. The proposed date for the introduction of a move to a total contributions approach is 2020, but this may be subject to change. The OECD Review of the Irish Pensions System published in April 2013 will also inform future pension reform over the coming years.
Following the abolition of State pension transition, for those who may be impacted all short term social welfare schemes are payable to age 66. The main social welfare payment available to those who leave employment before pension age is jobseeker’s benefit. Persons who qualify for a jobseeker’s benefit who are aged between 65 and 66 years are generally entitled to receive payment up to the date on which they reach pensionable age (66 years). Each application for any social welfare scheme is assessed on its own merit in terms of qualifying criteria and contribution history.
There are two other related provisions; one provides that, in the case of a job seeker’s benefit recipient aged under 65 whose claim spans from one benefit year into another, a new relevant tax year requirement is not applied in the case of the job seekers entitlement relating to the second benefit year. A further provision states that 3 waiting days do not have to be served for jobseekers assistance in the case of certain people aged between 65 and 66 years who have been in receipt of job seekers benefit within the past year
In addition, as part of Budget 2014, I was happy to be able to introduce new arrangements for older jobseekers, i.e. those aged 62 and over who have left work before reaching the State pension age of 66 and who wish to claim a jobseeker’s payment. With effect from 1 January 2014, fully unemployed jobseekers aged 62 or over will be placed on yearly signing and will be given the option of transferring to EFT payments. Furthermore, they will not be subject to mandatory activation measures but may avail of employment supports which will continue to be available to them and they will not be subject to activation-related sanctions.
Finally, social welfare supports will continue to be available to those who need it most and where a person fails to meet the qualifying conditions of an insurance based scheme, a means tested assistance payment may be available provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions.
Question No. 138 withdrawn.
Commemorative Events
Questions (139)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:139. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding sources that have been investigated to allow grant-aiding of commemorative initiatives, local and national as part of the decade of centenaries 2013-23. [12540/14]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, under the Capital Stimulus Package announced in the Budget, funding of €6m was provided for 2014 in respect of the 1916 Commemorations Programme. A number of projects come under the scope of this programme,including Kilmainham Courthouse, the GPO visitor facility, the Military Service Pension Archive and Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc. Work on these projects is continuing to be actively progressed to ensure timely completion for 2016. My Department is also working closely with a range of other Departments and bodies, including the national cultural institutions, in the context of their capacity to afford special consideration to centenary commemorative projects. I am encouraged by the positive response that has been forthcoming, despite the unavoidable reductions of recent years in public expenditure allocations, and I will be continuing to work with these bodies, and with my colleagues in Government, to ensure that sufficient resources are made available to ensure a successful commemorative programme over the coming years.
Unfinished Housing Developments
Questions (140)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:140. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Electric Ireland cut off, or threatened to cut off, the power to the public lighting system in three estates in County Kildare where moneys were outstanding for services provided; his views on this approach; if he considers it acceptable that such a public service would be discontinued; if he or his Department officials have engaged with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to consider the way these matters should be dealt with at national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12483/14]
View answerWritten answers
While this is a day to day operational matter for the ESB and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory role or function, it is a matter of concern to me. I am aware of one estate in Kildare which was the subject of media coverage last week. In this case I am advised that Electric Ireland reached agreement last week with Kildare County Council to take over the account. Kildare County Council has engaged Energia as its supplier and ESB Networks reconnected the supply on Thursday 6 March, 2014. I am further advised by Electric Ireland that this is the only estate in Kildare in this situation.
Broadband Service Provision
Questions (141)
Tom Fleming
Question:141. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when people in the Dingle Peninsula will receive the broadband facilities that persons in the larger towns and cities have; the reason they have not received these facilities to date; the way in which they are to compete with the rest of Ireland and the world for business if in 2014 they still do not have adequate broadband services to undertake daily duties as a tourism destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12487/14]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. The regulation of the industry, including regulatory issues surrounding speeds, is a matter for ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. Details of broadband services available in each County can be found on a number of websites, including ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie, as well as the websites of individual commercial operators.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses including those in County Kerry. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. In the fixed line segment of the market, eircom has announced plans to pass 1.4m addresses with its next generation broadband service, with speeds of up to 100Mbps, while UPC has increased its entry level and maximum speeds to 120Mbps and 200Mbps respectively. Mobile operators have also made announcements regarding network upgrades and are rolling out enhanced product offerings. The ESB Electronic Communications Bill, will, when enacted, enable the ESB to utilise its electricity distribution network to provide telecommunications services and is a further step in promoting investment in competitively priced high speed broadband.
I am aware of at least one service provider announcing that it will be providing advanced broadband services in Dingle, Co. Kerry before July 2016.
Many of these developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan, including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction, and the regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and service bundles. Both of these measures are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by operators.
In tandem with these developments, intensive work, including a comprehensive mapping exercise, continues in my Department in relation to the State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained.
Under the national mapping exercise, information has been sought from all undertakings authorised by ComReg in relation to current and planned broadband services, both basic and next generation access (NGA). Mapping data has been submitted to my Department by a total of 23 operators and the process of analysing the data and supporting information is continuing. The mapping data is being assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the EU State Aid Guidelines. When all of the information has been analysed, a clear picture should emerge of coverage throughout all of the country. I expect that this process will be completed later this year, after which it is my intention to publish a map showing existing and planned NGA broadband coverage, along with the Government’s proposals for a State-led intervention to roll out high speed broadband across the country.
The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched later in 2014. Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
Wind Energy Generation
Questions (142)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of the costs that have been incurred by the different State agencies regarding the proposals to export wind energy from Ireland to England and land owners who have signed up lease options on their land; if their land will now be in effect sterilised and held up for any further potential for the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12597/14]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland and the UK have made good progress on both States’ joint, innovative and ambitious work in the area of renewable energy trading since my signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey M.P. in January 2013.Both States remain committed to concluding an Inter Governmental Agreement which would facilitate the development of renewable energy projects in Ireland, both onshore and offshore. However, it is recognised that the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved for both onshore and offshore projects, and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK in this regard, would make 2020 delivery difficult to achieve given project lead times. For this reason, the shared work will focus on the longer term post 2020 period, and both countries will continue to work together productively on that basis.
To date, €121,000 has been committed to consultancy support required for the development of (i) a full cost benefit analysis and (ii) an appropriate framework dealing with planning, policy and regulatory issues. The outcomes from these workstreams will guide decision making on future domestic and any proposed inter-governmental initiatives.
Commercial decisions by private landowners and commercial market operators are matters for the parties concerned.