Written Answers Nos. 462 to 480
462. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the collaborative research projects between industry and academia has been set at 825 as per action129 of the Action Plan for Jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13169/14]
View answerEnterprise Ireland operates a range of supports to help companies engage with third level researchers to undertake collaborative research for the benefit of the company. In this way Irish companies can leverage the wealth of experience, skills and resources in the higher education system in a cost effective and even cost-free way depending on the most appropriate support. Enterprise Ireland’s collaborative supports are scaled and tailored to meet the varying needs of industry and range from small €5,000 Innovation Voucher projects to larger Innovation Partnership projects which can provide support of up to €200,000. Enterprise Ireland also plays a critical role in helping Irish companies and researchers engage in international research under the European Union’s almost €80 billion Horizon 2020 programme.
The 2014 target of 825 supported collaborative research projects between industry and academia was set by Enterprise Ireland based on its experience of working with industry and in supporting collaborative research, and also in cognisance of the expected levels of demand from industry and the capacity of the research system to undertake the number of projects.
463. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update and details on the proposed partnership between Science Foundation Ireland and the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, as per action 142 of the Action Plan for Jobs, and which was due to be undertaken during the first quarter of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13170/14]
View answerAction 142 in the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 calls for the development of strategic partnerships with major stakeholders in Northern Ireland. In terms of delivering this Action, a Quarter 1 2014 timeline was given to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to develop a partnership with the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland (DELNI).
This Action has been delivered on time. On 22 January 2014 SFI and DELNI formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Armagh. The two organisations have agreed to the implementation of a co-funding partnership as a component of the Science Foundation Ireland Investigators Programme (IvP) call.
464. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to increase the amount of Industrial Development Agency grant aid given to FDI companies who locate in County Kerry and to put the county on the same level as counties Galway, Limerick and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13351/14]
View answerThe Regional Aid Guidelines enable the State’s industrial development agencies to pay grants, at enhanced rates, to businesses in order to support new investment and new employment in productive projects in Ireland's most disadvantaged regions. This helps the convergence of these regions with the more advantaged regions of the Union. All such grants come from the exchequer, i.e. there is no EU or other external funding.
For the 2014-2020 Regional Aid Guidelines, all Irish areas designated for Regional Aid will have the same aid rates. Those rates will be 30% for small companies (under 50 employees) 20% for medium sized companies (50 to 249 employees) and 10% for large companies.
My Department is currently finalising the revised Regional Aid Map for Ireland. It is expected that the proposed map will be sent to the Commission for consideration shortly.
It is important to note that all of the Country, including those areas not entitled to Regional Aid, can qualify for other forms of State investment e.g. Research & Development Aid, SME Investment Aid, Training Aid, and Aid for Environmental protection etc.
465. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times his Department received requests by Philanthropy Ireland to meet in 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number of times his Department met with Philanthropy Ireland in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/14]
View answerThere have been no meetings or requests for meetings between myself or officials of my Department with Philanthropy Ireland since 1 January 2011.
466. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons with zero-hour contracts, that is, contracts without specific working hours here in comparison to the number of persons with zero-hour contracts in 2010; his proposals to curb the practice of zero-hour contracts which can be exploited by employers; his plans to increase workers' rights in zero-hour contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13454/14]
View answer469. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is concerned at the number of Irish workers who are currently on zero-hour contracts; and if he will legislate to protect workers on zero-hour contracts and to eliminate this practice. [13772/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 469 together.
The Central Statistics Office, which has responsibility for the collection and dissemination of information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions in the State, does not collect data on zero-hours contracts. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide a comparison of the number of persons with zero-hours contracts in 2014 vis-à-vis the number of persons with zero-hours contracts in 2010.
Zero-hours contracts are covered by contract law. I note that these contracts must be entered into freely by the employer and the employee – one cannot be forced upon an employee. Zero-hours contracts are normally found in sectors such as retail, health care and hospitality. In certain circumstances, they may be of great benefit to both employers and employees. Such contracts may be preferred by employees who require flexibility to facilitate educational or other personal requirements, and banning such contracts could do a disservice to these workers.
It is important to note that section 18 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 contains a specific protection for employees who are employed on zero-hours contracts. The zero-hours protection applies to all employees whose contract operates to require them to be available whether they work on a casual basis or not. It covers situations where, for example, an employee is sent home if things are quiet or is requested to be available for work and is not, on the day, asked to work. Where an employee suffers a loss by not working hours he/she was requested to work or to be available to work, the zero-hours provisions of the Act ensure that he/she is compensated for 25% of the time which he/she is required to be available, or 15 hours, whichever is the lesser. The level of compensation may be impacted if the employee got some work. Claims of breaches of section 18 may be referred to a Rights Commissioner.
An expectation of work does not, however, entitle an employee to compensation. The zero-hours provision does not apply to lay-offs, short-time, emergency or exceptional circumstances, employee illness, employee on-call or where the employee is paid wages for making him/herself available for work.
Sections 17 and 19 of the Organisation of Working Time Act may also be of particular interest to employees on zero-hour contracts. Section 17 sets out the requirements regarding notification to the employee of the times at which he/she will be required to work during the week, and Section 19 sets out an employee’s entitlement to paid annual leave calculated based on hours worked.
However, this is an area I will keep under review.
467. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the location of each Industrial Development Agency supported data centre; the total State funding involved in each project; the number of long term direct jobs created by each project; the plans for further data centres; their locations and job projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13583/14]
View answerAll of the IDA Ireland client company data centres are located in the Dublin area and therefore did not receive any financial funding from the Agency. Dublin is now fast emerging as one of Europe’s major hubs for data centre services and cloud computing infrastructure. Since January 2010, significant data centre investments have been secured for Ireland from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Digital Reality Trust, Amazon, Betfair, Telecity Group and Adobe.
The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in client companies of the enterprise development agencies. However, as information is supplied by companies on a confidential basis for statistical purposes only, it is not possible to isolate data centre job numbers from the Survey. Data centres by their very nature are utility intensive and create little direct employment. Typically, data centres employ small numbers of people when operational. Though the jobs numbers are low, these jobs are generally well paid, in the region of €75K per annum, and provide secure employment for a considerable period of time.
Data centres are a highly capital intensive investment and as such provide a significant economic impact during the construction phase both from a spend and employment perspective. A major benefit of data centres, as a form of inward investment, is the fact that they tend to have long life spans. Data centres are typically designed to last 12-15 years and since they need local power and communications infrastructure to be available, they are location dependent. For this reason, data centres can remain on the same site for 20-30 years, making them a long term investment.
In recognition of the potential for Ireland to capitalise on and secure significant investments in this sector and associated areas, the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs introduced a Disruptive Reform with the overall ambition to “build on existing enterprise strengths to make Ireland a leading country in Europe in the area of Big Data and Data Analytics. Among the key initiatives progressed in 2013 were:
- The establishment of a Taskforce on Big Data and Data Analytics with a mapping of infrastructure and initiatives supporting Big Data and Data Analytics in Ireland and the identification of pilot projects to demonstrate the impact of Big Data and Data Analytics;
- The launch of Insight, the SFIsupported research centre for data analytics involving a €88 million investment by Government and industry and the launch by Enterprise Ireland; and
IDA Ireland of the CEADAR Technology Centre in data analytics:
- Preparations for Ireland’s membership of the Open Government Partnership including a commitment to a number of actions in the area of “open data”;
- Support for a number of courses targeting the area of data analytics particularly under the Call for ICT Conversion Courses in 2013 and the completion by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and Forfás of a study of skills demand in Big Data and Data Analytics.
The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs builds on these 2013 initiatives and investments and will help to give Ireland a leadership position in a number of specific aspects of Big Data and Data Analytics.
468. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of civil servants engaged in constituency work on his behalf; and the salaries, accommodation costs and expenses involved or associated with these duties. [13687/14]
View answerTwo civil servants (Clerical Officer) are currently assigned to my constituency office on the Clerical Officer salary scale (PPC rate) of €23,177 to €37,341. My constituency office is located in the Department’s Head Office in Kildare Street. No specific accommodation or equipment costs have been incurred for these constituency office duties.
470. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to hold a trade mission to Mexico; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14030/14]
View answerTotal trade with Mexico is just over €1 billion. Goods exports to the country increased by 55% from €445 million to €690 million between 2009 and 2013. This pace of growth, in the context of a very difficult global trading environment, suggests that, in the future, Mexico has the potential to become a very important market for Irish exporters. In the Government Review of the Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy 2010 – 2015, published last month, Mexico has been designated as an exploratory and high potential market.
In this context Mexico is an attractive developing market for a number of the client companies of Enterprise Ireland. These opportunities are very sector specific and the agency is working, one to one, with companies to develop business in their areas of interest.
To underpin this work, it is planned to have a Trade Mission to Mexico in October this year. It is intended that a range of companies in the areas of ICT, Financial Software, Education and the Oil and Gas industry will participate. Enterprise Ireland is at an early stage of planning for this trade mission and will finalise arrangements over the next 6 months.
In October 2013, President Higgins visited Mexico, El Salvador and Costa Rica. To coincide with his visit to Mexico, Enterprise Ireland held a business breakfast in Mexico City which was attended by 130 key business contacts including H.E. Mr Carlos Garcia de Alba, Ambassador of Mexico to Ireland.
A Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Mexico was implemented in 2000 for trade in goods and expanded in 2001 to cover trade in services. Discussions are underway on a possible modernisation of this agreement and a Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment has been set up to discuss how this might be implemented. While any proposal to formally open new trade talks with Mexico is some time away, I would welcome an expansion of economic and trade links that will support the development work already underway by Enterprise Ireland to increase the potential of the Mexican market for our exports.
471. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will confirm that all categories of business currently eligible for grant aid through the county and city enterprise boards, that is, manufacturing, internationally traded services, tourism projects aimed predominantly at overseas visitors and locally- traded services businesses promoted by the unemployed, those recently made redundant and women re-entering the workforce - subject to deadweight and displacement considerations will remain eligible for such assistance through the Local Enterprise Offices; his plans to expand the categories currently eligible for assistance and, if so, in what areas; his plans to increase the intervention rate for grant assistance that will be available through the local enterprise offices or to reduce the minimum refundable element currently applicable to grant recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14106/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the current role of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to provide support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential, and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. Priority is given to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, and any potential for deadweight and displacement arising from the provision of assistance to a proposed enterprise is also taken into account.
When the CEBs are dissolved, the exchequer funding allocation will be delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) within Local Authorities and overseen by Enterprise Ireland. Budgets will be allocated on an annual basis under the existing Measure 1, Measure 2 and administration (pay and non-pay) headings. The funding will be monitored using the agreed Service Level Agreement (SLA) between Enterprise Ireland and each Local Authority. In accordance with the SLA, the LEOs will provide services under four headings, namely, Business Information and Advisory Services, Enterprise Support Services, Entrepreneurship Support Services and Local Enterprise Development Services. The on-going drawdown of budgets by LEOs will be contingent on reaching agreed targets. There are no immediate plans to change budget methodology, grant eligibility, or grant assistance rates.
The Exchequer allocation, as secured by my Department, will continue to be the primary source of funding for the LEOs. A total of €29.4m has been allocated for the CEBs/LEOs in 2014 and this includes an additional €3.5m which will be primarily targeted at a new initiative focussed on youth entrepreneurship and young people with a business idea who wish to start their own business.
In addition to financial supports, this fundamental reform aims to ensure that other State supports to enterprise are properly promoted and targeted. The LEOs will be the First Stop Shop for micro and small businesses for the range of supports available. The combination of the restructuring of enterprise supports and additional Exchequer funding will result in the enhancement of the support service to the sector in a variety of ways including the development of Protocols relating to information and guidance, mutual contacts, and client referrals to other key agencies such as the Department of Social Protection, Revenue, Microfinance Ireland, Skillnets, etc.
In short, the LEOs will engage with all business ideas with the objective of providing information, guidance or support (financial and non-financial), as appropriate.
472. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update in tabular form of the commitments in the programme for Government that relate to his Department; and the progress that has been made in the implementation of each commitment. [14117/14]
View answerThe timeline for delivery of commitments under the programme for Government is over the lifetime of this Government. The position in relation to progress under each commitment, within the remit of my Department, is set out in the following link. Table
473. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the salaries, including pensions and any other bonus-related additions, including company cars, of chief executive officers of commercial State bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14481/14]
View answerMy Department does not have any commercial State bodies under its remit.
474. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the liability the Exchequer has for redundancy payments at a company (details supplied) in the event of redundancies being made prior to the sale of the business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13198/14]
View answerIt is the responsibility of the employer to pay statutory redundancy to all its eligible employees. Where an employer can prove to the satisfaction of the Department that he/she is unable to make statutory redundancy payments to his/her eligible employees the Department will make lump sum payments directly to those employees. This raises a debt against the employer which the Department will seek to recover.
I am advised that the company referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a court-appointed Examinership process under the supervision of the High Court. The number of redundancies, if any that may arise from the company is not known and, therefore, it is not possible to estimate the liability that may accrue to the Social Insurance Fund arising from any such redundancies.
475. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding employment in respect of a person (details supplied). [13769/14]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection is committed to supporting people with disabilities to participate more fully in society and become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter at work.
To this end, the Department provides a comprehensive range of employment supports for people with disabilities who wish to enter the open labour market.
For example, the supported employment programme (“EmployAbility”) provides the services of a job-coach for those wishing to take up employment opportunities.
I would encourage the person concerned to engage with her nearest Employment Services or Intreo office to obtain guidance and advice on all options as to how she might proceed on completion of her studies.
476. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form for 2013 and 2014 information regarding jobs clubs funded by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12791/14]
View answerThe Department contracts for the provision of job clubs with local development companies and community organisations, the details of which are set out in the tabular statement hereunder.
Job clubs provide structured support to “job-ready” job-seekers to secure paid employment in the open labour market. They are regarded as a final transition mechanism for job-seekers. The term “job-ready” is defined as “a person who has the necessary training, education and motivation to pursue work”.
Job clubs provide services primarily for clients within their local and surrounding areas but are not limited in that regard. The nature of the services provided can vary between job clubs. The total budget for 2014 is €6m.
|
Job Club Contracts |
- |
- |
2013 |
- |
- |
- |
2014 |
- |
|
Contractor |
Job Club Name |
FTE Posts * |
No of Participants to be referred to Formal Inputs by Division/Capacity for Formal Workshops |
Target No of 1-1s (Participants) |
Total Placements (from workshops and 1-1s |
FTE Posts * |
No of Participants to be referred to Formal Inputs by Division/Capacity for Formal Workshops |
Target No of 1-1s (Participants) |
|
Tolka Area Partnership Limited (Finglas & Cabra Dublin) |
Tolka Area Partnership |
2 |
242 |
27 |
97 |
2 |
288 |
0 |
|
Glin Jobsclub Limited (Coolock Dublin) |
Glin Centre Job Clubs |
2 |
160 |
85 |
89 |
2 |
264 |
240 |
|
Northside Partnership Ltd (Dublin 3, 5,13 and 17) |
Le Cheile |
2 |
168 |
80 |
60 |
2 |
480 |
96 |
|
Ballymun Job Centre Co-Operative Society Ltd |
Ballymun |
1.8 |
168 |
336 |
179 |
2 |
264 |
48 |
|
Fingal LEADER Partnership Co Ltd |
Swords (commenced 24th June 2013) |
2 |
340 |
160 |
17 |
2 |
480 |
0 |
|
Balbriggan Enterprise Development Group (BEDG) Ltd |
Balbriggan (commenced 1st July 2013) |
1 |
440 |
0 |
10 |
1 |
480 |
120 |
|
South Inner-City Community Development Association (Dublin 8) |
SICCDA Job Club |
1.5 |
132 |
200 |
34 |
1.5 |
150 |
150 |
|
Blanchardstown Area Partnership Ltd |
Blanchardstown |
1.5 |
169 |
31 |
124 |
1.5 |
156 |
150 |
|
Bluebell Inchicore Islandbridge Kilmainham Rialto (BIIKR) Partnership Co Ltd (Dublin) |
Canal Job Club |
2 |
144 |
30 |
80 |
2 |
200 |
200 |
|
Jobcare Ltd (Dublin, Pearse St) |
Job Care |
4 |
280 |
250 |
299 |
4 |
460 |
340 |
|
Larkin Unemployed Centre (Dublin 3) |
Larkin Job Club |
3 |
160 |
1000 |
138 |
3 |
240 |
432 |
|
Dublin 12 Centre for the Unemployed |
Dublin 12 Job Club |
1.5 |
180 |
180 |
22 |
1.5 |
150 |
150 |
|
- |
Brookfield Job Club |
2 |
160 |
30 |
12 |
2 |
224 |
48 |
|
- |
Tallaght Village |
1.5 |
160 |
30 |
71 |
1.5 |
224 |
48 |
|
- |
Fettercairn (closed 30th April 2013) |
1.5 |
54 |
40 |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
SDC South Dublin County Partnership Limited |
Lucan (commenced 1st Sept 2013) |
2 |
56 |
20 |
0 |
2 |
224 |
48 |
|
Bawnogue Unemployed Group Ltd (Dublin 22) |
DBD Job Club (closed 29th March 2013) |
2 |
|
|
0 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Southside Local Employment Service/Southside Partnership DLR (Dublin14,18,south Co Dublin) |
Southside Job Club |
1.8 |
140 |
30 |
35 |
1.8 |
168 |
48 |
|
Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership Co Ltd |
Ballyfermot |
2 |
140 |
30 |
87 |
2 |
140 |
48 |
|
Carlow County Development Partnership Company Ltd |
Carlow Job Club |
2 |
160 |
180 |
39 |
2 |
266 |
384 |
|
St. Mary's & St. Peter's CE Arklow |
Arklow Job Club |
2 |
180 |
150 |
95 |
2 |
224 |
300 |
|
Sports Development Project Ltd |
Meath Job Club ** |
3 |
264 |
60 |
86 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Northwest Roscommon CDP |
County Roscommon Job Club |
2 |
192 |
75 |
30 |
2 |
192 |
96 |
|
Westmeath Community Development Ltd |
WCD Job Club |
2 |
144 |
120 |
52 |
2 |
144 |
120 |
|
Laois Community and Enterprise Dev Co t/a Laois Partnership Co |
Portlaoise Job Club |
2 |
140 |
200 |
49 |
2 |
140 |
200 |
|
Portarlington Community Development Association Ltd |
Portarlington Job Club |
2 |
140 |
100 |
46 |
2 |
180 |
200 |
|
- |
Tullamore Job Club |
2 |
132 |
380 |
75 |
2 |
132 |
336 |
|
Offaly Local Development Company |
West Offaly Job Club (Birr) |
2 |
132 |
450 |
96 |
2 |
132 |
336 |
|
- |
Nenagh Job Club |
2 |
132 |
240 |
91 |
2 |
220 |
336 |
|
North Tipperary Leader Partnership |
Roscrea Job Club |
2 |
132 |
200 |
368 |
2 |
220 |
288 |
|
St Canice's Community Action Ltd |
Kilkenny Jobs Club |
2 |
132 |
250 |
130 |
2 |
250 |
300 |
|
Ferdia Community Development Co Ltd |
Ardee Drogheda (Ferdia) |
2 |
140 |
100 |
43 |
2 |
158 |
200 |
|
Drogheda Job Club Ltd |
Drogheda |
2 |
150 |
400 |
59 |
2 |
158 |
250 |
|
Louth Leader Partnership |
Dundalk |
2 |
143 |
80 |
60 |
2 |
156 |
90 |
|
Monaghan Integrated Development Ltd |
Monaghan |
2 |
160 |
75 |
59 |
2 |
180 |
104 |
|
Donegal Local Development Company |
Letterkenny Job Club (DLDC) |
1.6 |
132 |
60 |
44 |
1.6 |
140 |
120 |
|
Inishowen Development Partnership |
Inishowen Job Club |
2 |
132 |
200 |
145 |
2 |
200 |
192 |
|
County Sligo Leader Partnership Co Ltd |
Sligo |
2 |
135 |
95 |
45 |
2 |
135 |
144 |
|
Leitrim Integrated Development Company |
Co Leitrim Job Club |
1.4 |
132 |
40 |
40 |
1.4 |
136 |
67 |
|
Ballinasloe Community Resources Ltd |
Ballinasloe |
2 |
180 |
500 |
77 |
2 |
192 |
480 |
|
Galway People Resource Centre Co. Ltd Job Club |
Galway City |
2 |
180 |
20 |
38 |
2 |
180 |
96 |
|
Mayo North East Leader Partnership |
Mayo North East/Ballina |
2 |
144 |
144 |
22 |
2 |
144 |
144 |
|
Ballyhoura Jobs Club (Limerick) |
Ballyhoura Job Club |
2 |
368 |
100 |
151 |
2 |
280 |
160 |
|
West Limerick Resources Ltd |
West Limerick Job Club |
2 |
240 |
150 |
71 |
2 |
260 |
192 |
|
Congress Information & Opportunities Centre Ltd |
Ennis Job Club |
2 |
240 |
80 |
182 |
2 |
240 |
80 |
|
People Action Against Unemployment Ltd (Limerick) |
Jobs Club (PAUL) |
2 |
330 |
120 |
179 |
2 |
460 |
96 |
|
Moyross Development Company Ltd (Limerick) |
Millennium Job Club |
2 |
140 |
270 |
149 |
2 |
376 |
192 |
|
Integrated Development Southill Ltd (Limerick) |
Southill Job Club ** |
2 |
150 |
160 |
78 |
- |
- |
- |
|
First Employment Services Ltd t/a Employability Service Cork |
Cork Job Club |
2 |
160 |
160 |
67 |
2 |
168 |
144 |
|
South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd |
Killarney Job Club |
2 |
160 |
110 |
53 |
2 |
160 |
110 |
|
Cumann Iosaef Teoranta |
Tralee Job Club |
2 |
160 |
160 |
88 |
2 |
160 |
160 |
|
North & East Kerry Leader Partnership Teoranta |
Listowel Job Club |
2 |
160 |
114 |
73 |
2 |
160 |
114 |
* FTE - Full Time Equivalent Posts are counted as 1, 4 days per week 0.8, 3 days 0.6 etc.
** Details for 2014 being finalised.
477. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for invalidity pension will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12801/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 20 March 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 the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
478. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the recent coverage whereby a family was identified as entitled to qualify for in excess of €70,000 per annum in social welfare entitlements, her plans to review the schemes. [12828/14]
View answerThe maximum amount of social welfare paid to any family depends on the composition of that family and the type of welfare support appropriate to that family. In this regard, it is self-evident that a family with more child dependants, for example, or with caring requirements, will receive more than a family with none and so on.
In some cases, families receive larger volumes of supplementary payments and therefore have a higher level of welfare income. This is usually because one or more family members require caring or have a disability, in which case the Department of Social Protection provides extra supports to assist the families in question.
It should be noted that, as regards people of working age receiving welfare payments, the vast majority of those on the Live Register receive only a single personal weekly payment of €188 or less and no additional benefits of any kind. Those individuals therefore have a very strong incentive to work.
In a small percentage of cases where a disincentive to work does exist, I am overseeing extensive reforms to remove such disincentives and assist people back to work and towards financial independence. For example, the Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to introduce Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), to replace Rent Supplement. HAP will subsidise rent for people on welfare and in low-income employment so that they will not lose housing assistance when they move from welfare to work.
In addition, the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare is currently progressing its final module of work on the issue of working age income supports and the interaction of the tax and social welfare systems. The aim of the Group’s work is to determine how the social welfare system can best achieve its goals of supporting persons through periods of involuntary unemployment while also incentivising work and disincentivising welfare dependency.
479. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the advice she would offer in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [12844/14]
View answerThe Department has noted the medical circumstances in the case mentioned. The manager of the Mid Leinster Rents Unit will contact the Deputy directly and the client or their agents, to discuss the case later today.
480. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12893/14]
View answerCarer’s allowance was stopped on 26 February 2014 in respect of the person in question as, following a review, it was decided that the medical criteria were no longer satisfied. The person in question was notified of this decision on 20 of January 2014, the reason for it and of her right of review or appeal. To date, no request for a review of this decision has been received. There is no record of appeal registered with the social welfare appeals office.
