Written Answers Nos. 262-284
262. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta cén méid airgid a caitheadh in 2013 ar aistriú doiciméad ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge nó ó Ghaeilge go Béarla, agus ó theangacha eile go Béarla agus ó Bhéarla go teangacha eile, faoi seach; cad ba chaiteachas iomlán riaracháin na Roinne sa bhliain 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [16139/14]
View answerThabhaigh mo Roinn agus a cuid Oifigí €10,544 i dtaobh doiciméid a aistriú ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge agus ó Ghaeilge go Béarla le linn 2013.
Laistigh den Roinn, tá socruithe i bhfeidhm trínar thairg baill foirne a bhfuil inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge acu a gcuid seirbhísí maidir leis an aistriú doiciméad go Gaeilge agus éascaíonn sé sin bainistiú na Roinne ar chostais sa réimse seo.
Thabhaigh mo Roinn agus a cuid Oifigí €74 i dtaobh doiciméid a aistriú ó theangacha eile go Béarla agus ó Bhéarla go teangacha eile le linn 2013.
263. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration has been given to developing an online tool to allow prospective new employers to efficiently ascertain data on education and skills levels in a particular local area as part of a pre investment due diligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16379/14]
View answerWhilst there are no plans to develop an online tool such as that described by the Deputy, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has conducted analysis of regional labour markets. The Group recently launched its second report looking at the labour market at regional level. “The Regional Labour Markets Bulletin 2013”, produced by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) of SOLAS on behalf of the EGFSN, identifies variations in skills supply and demand by region and provides an analysis of the key labour market indicators for each of Ireland's eight administrative regions. The EGFSN’s regional labour markets bulletin is available on the EGFSN website and I understand that 3,500 stakeholders, including the CEOs of IDA & EI, receive an email alert on publication of the bulletin. Both the IDA and EI are members of the EGFSN and I understand that the SLMRU provide regional/local labour market qualifications profiles to the Development Agencies on request. The SLMRU also provide data to IDA in the context of marketing to foreign direct investors looking at particular regions in which to invest.
264. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for further job creation in Tallaght Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16553/14]
View answerThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity through the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, which recognises the need for measures to support the unemployed and keep jobseekers close to the labour market. In this context, the major elements of the Government’s response are set out in the Department of Social Protection’s strategy, “Pathways to Work” , which is aimed at ensuring that as many as possible of the job vacancies that are created as the economy recovers, are filled by people from the Live Register - with a particular focus on those who are long-term unemployed or at risk of long-term unemployment.
The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs builds on the 2012 and 2013 Action Plans. This year’s Plan includes targets for Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the new Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to support a total of 30,500 direct new jobs during 2014.
In this context, South Dublin County Enterprise Board (CEB) offers a suite of supports, comprising business information and advice, financial supports, networking, mentoring and training to start-up and existing micro-enterprises in the County. In addition, South Dublin CEB works to promote an enterprise culture through one of the largest schools enterprise programmes in the country, covering Primary, Second Level and Third Level education. These supports are aimed at facilitating job creation at the micro-enterprise level throughout the South Dublin County area. Since its inception in 1993, South Dublin CEB has paid out over €10m in financial support to its clients, helping to create a total of 2,830 net additional full time equivalent jobs. In 2012 alone, 2,091 jobs were created in companies supported by the four CEBs operating in Dublin. 168 of these were created in companies based in South Dublin – including Tallaght – and supported by South Dublin CEB. South Dublin CEB operates a number of regional enterprise support programmes in partnership with the other three CEBs in the Dublin region, details of which are available on the CEBs’ website www.enterpriseboards.ie .
The Deputy will be aware that the system for delivery of State supports to micro and small enterprises is being reformed and that 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 CEBs will be legally dissolved and the LEOs will come into being from 15 April 2014. When established, the LEOs will become the first-stop-shop through which information on national and local supports for business can be accessed, where new start-up and micro-enterprises can be grant-aided, where small businesses can receive training and mentoring, and where businesses with clear high growth potential can be fast-tracked to the next level of support from Enterprise Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland activity in Tallaght and South Dublin is focussed on job creation and export growth and offers a broad range of supports to industry to support growth in jobs and exports including funding for Business Development Managers for Bolbrook, Killinarden and Bawnogue Enterprise Centres, under the CEC Funding Scheme. In 2012, 4,097 jobs were created in Enterprise Ireland client companies based in Dublin. Further information on supports available from Enterprise Ireland can be obtained on the Agency’s website www.enterprise-ireland.com .
As is evidenced with IDA Ireland investment announcements over the past number of years, a significant number locate in Dublin so it is reasonable to expect that this trend will continue. In 2012, 6,389 jobs were created in IDA-supported companies in Dublin. In 2013, of the total number of announcements of investments made by the Agency, approximately 50% of them were for Dublin. In 2014 to date, there have already been six company announcements for Dublin. Typical examples of these include the announcement in January 2014 by Aspen, a global pharmaceutical company, in City West expanding its Irish operation by adding 42 new high quality jobs.
In addition, on 3 April 2014, Alexion announced plans to expand its operations in Ireland following the acquisition of a new site in West Dublin. The company expects that this expansion will create approximately 200 new jobs as part of an investment of approximately €75m over the next number of years. There have also been announcements by four high growth start-ups for Dublin with a combined total of 102 jobs requiring a variety of skillsets.
I am confident that these announcements, together with the delivery of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 and the other initiatives outlined will have a positive impact on job creation in Tallaght and the greater Dublin area.
265. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the costs to his Department to process and respond to a priority, an oral and a written parliamentary question. [16594/14]
View answerData is not kept in my Department on the specific costs of processing and responding to Parliamentary Questions. Answering Parliamentary Questions is an activity which is integral to my Department’s activities, and the costs are spread across a wide number of business units; there are also costs arising in the Oireachtas for which my Department would not be accountable. In the two most recent calendar years for which statistics are available, a total of 1,806 Parliamentary Questions were asked to my Department in 2012, and a total of 1,534 Parliamentary Questions were asked in 2013.
No staff in my Department are assigned full time to dealing with Parliamentary Questions. Parliamentary Questions are dealt with by staff in the sections that have responsibility for the particular issue(s) raised in individual Parliamentary Questions and processing is undertaken as part of the normal day to day work of that particular section. The amount of staff time spent on an individual answer depends on the nature and complexity of the issue raised, and the form in which the information exists within my Department.
266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the supports his Department is currently offering to small and medium enterprises in particular accessing capital to expand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16688/14]
View answerThe main sources of direct support to small and medium enterprises, delivered 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 in the start-up and expansion phases and stimulate enterprise potential at local level. They are the first port 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 .
The Deputy may wish to note that the system for delivery of State supports to micro and small enterprises is being reformed and that 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 CEBs will be legally dissolved and the LEOs will come into being from 15 April 2014. When established, the LEOs will become the first-stop-shop through which information on national and local supports for business can be accessed, where new start-up and micro-enterprises can be grant-aided, where small businesses can receive training and mentoring, and where businesses with clear high growth potential can be fast-tracked to the next level of support from Enterprise Ireland.
Entrepreneurs can access a range of pre-investment supports from Enterprise Ireland which enable them to investigate the viability and potential of a business idea and to help accelerate their business development. These supports are accessible to entrepreneurs who come forward with strong innovative business ideas.
When companies have reached the stage where they are investor ready, they can access Competitive Start Fund Funding which is awarded through a competitive call for applications, or Enterprise Ireland’s “High Potential Start Up” offer which provides equity investment to support the implementation of company business plans.
In addition to taking direct equity stakes in companies, the State through, Enterprise Ireland has invested heavily in stimulating and facilitating Business Angel investment through the Business Angel HALO programme and in providing access to finance for new and established enterprises through the Seed & Venture Capital Schemes, the Development Capital Schemes and Innovation Fund Ireland. Further information on supports available from Enterprise Ireland can be obtained on the Agency’s website www.enterprise-ireland.com .
In order to deal with specific market failures, my Department introduced two targeted schemes in 2012 to support an additional flow of credit into the economy, namely the Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme – for microenterprises with less than ten employees - and the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) to positively impact on job creation, retention and sustainability. Both are available to the locally traded sectors, in view of their crucial role in job creation.
The CGS, in particular, supports SMEs who, because of lack of collateral or because of an inadequacy of understanding of the novelty of a business model, market, sector or technology, face difficulties in accessing traditional bank credit. Commercially viable, well-performing micro, small and medium enterprises that have a solid business plan and a defined market for their products or services, and can demonstrate their ability to repay the loan are the target of this scheme. The CGS provides a 75% guarantee for eligible loans to eligible SMEs between €10,000 and €1m.
267. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with current Irish representation on the EU committees that determine the work packages of Horizon 2020 initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16747/14]
View answer268. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the action being taken to coordinate the spacing of Irish applications for Horizon 2020 funding in order to maximise chances of success for Irish bids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16748/14]
View answer269. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if steps are being taken to encourage Irish applications for Horizon 2020 funding to focus on areas in which Ireland has a competitive advantage on account of its geography, border, or industry clustering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16749/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 to 269, inclusive, together.
Horizon 2020 is the EU’s programme for research and innovation with a budget of just under €80 billion and covering the period 2014 to 2020. Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis by investing in future jobs and growth, addressing people’s concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment and strengthening the EU’s global position in research, innovation and technology.
Ireland is well positioned to benefit from Horizon 2020, building on an excellent performance by Irish researchers, agencies and companies in the preceding programme – the Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Innovation - from which almost €600 million in funding to participants in Ireland has been allocated to date.
In December 2013 the Government approved a national strategy for participation in Horizon 2020 together with an ambitious target of €1.25 billion in funding to Ireland over the lifetime of Horizon 2020. The strategy sets out a comprehensive range of actions designed to maximise Ireland’s participation in the programme and achieve the target, involving all of the key Departments, agencies and research performers. A Horizon 2020 High Level Group (HLG) under the chairmanship of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has been established to oversee the implementation of the national strategy for engagement with Horizon 2020. This includes identifying key areas of opportunity where Irish researchers, agencies and companies can maximise their participation in the programme.
A national support network, coordinated by Enterprise Ireland, has been established, comprising knowledgeable and experienced practitioners from relevant Departments and agencies, charged with helping companies and academics access the funding opportunities presented by Horizon 2020.
Horizon 2020 is implemented through 2 year work programmes. The first work programme covering the years 2014-2015 was adopted by the Commission following consultation with the relevant Programme Committees, comprising Member State delegates. The Irish delegates, comprising experts from the relevant Departments and agencies, played an active role in influencing and in finalisation of the relevant components of the 2014-2015 work programme. The strategy provides for the relevant Departments and agencies concerned to allocate the necessary resources for the implementation of the Horizon 2020 strategy and the High Level Group on Horizon 2020 will monitor Ireland’s participation in the programme as well as implementation of the national strategy.
270. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department supports Science Foundation Ireland proposals to develop Ireland as a research testbed; if he will fund this proposal by allocating a percentage of the costs of appropriate State funded infrastructure programmes; the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance or the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16750/14]
View answerIreland has a number of natural and infrastructural advantages which could be leveraged as research test beds. Test beds can provide a unique opportunity for users to demonstrate, in an open and unbiased manner, how working technology actually operates in a live country-scale environment.
SFI in its strategy Agenda 2020 has identified opportunities for Ireland as a research test bed in such areas as the smart grid, telecommunications, hospitals, etc. SFI’s funding programmes such as the SFI Research Centres, the SFI Spokes Programme and SFI Partnerships can facilitate test bed collaborations between industry and researchers.
The current proposals by my Department in support of the development of Ireland as a research test bed are set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2014 as follows:
Promote Ireland as a test bed in the areas of renewable energy and grid development and work with industry and researchers to develop opportunities for test-bedding Smart Grid technologies.
In order to deliver on this objective the following specific action has been identified as necessary:
The National Smart Grid Implementation Advisory Group will develop a structured access and contracting framework for a distributed national smart grid test bed and assist a number of companies in developing Smart Grid test bedding projects.
Responsibility for the delivery of this particular action by Quarter 4 2014 lies with the following bodies: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI); Enterprise Ireland; the IDA; and Science Foundation Ireland.
271. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency visits to County Donegal in the first three months of 2014; the number of confirmed planned visits to County Donegal for the remainder of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16771/14]
View answer272. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on whether the targets set out by the Industrial Development Agency Ireland in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 of winning more than 130 new investments, securing 500million in research and development and creating 13,000 in IDA client companies were achieved; the element of new investment, research and development expenditure and new jobs that related to County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16777/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together.
2013 was one of the best years in recent times for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the creation of jobs in IDA Ireland client companies. During the year a total of 13,367 new jobs were created in IDA Ireland client companies and 164 investments won thereby exceeding the targets set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013. Of the 164 investments won, 78 came from companies investing in Ireland for the first time, with 59 expansions and 27 Research, Development and Innovation projects. R&D capital investment remains very strong and in 2013, IDA Ireland achieved 93% of the target of R&D investments. This is a strong performance given the general market caution for large capital projects which includes significant R&D activities. R,D&I remains significantly important to Ireland’s FDI landscape embedding existing employment and putting in place the framework for future employment creation. There are now over 166,000 people directly employed in IDA Ireland client companies nationwide, the highest number in the history of the agency.
There are 13 IDA Ireland-supported companies in Donegal employing 2,381 people in full and part time employment in Software Development, Systems Development and the Medical Technology industry. In 2013, 177 new jobs were created in Donegal. Companies such as Pramerica and United Health (PacifiCare) which have located in County Donegal are continuously growing and recruiting. IDA Ireland actively engages with its existing base of companies in Donegal, highlighting the ongoing importance of upskilling/reskilling and the need to add high value activities in order to ensure sustainability and ongoing development.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that in the first three months of 2014 there were 2 IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to Co. Donegal. Donegal’s industry base is transforming from the clothing and textile industry into high tech, high skill activity and IDA Ireland actively promotes Donegal as a successful location for high-end manufacturing mainly to companies in the medical technologies sector. In addition to boost regional development in the area and win new business IDA Ireland has announced its intention to erect a new office facility in Letterkenny.
Another focus for IDA Ireland in Donegal is the designated linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry. This focus involves developing stronger economic links with Invest Northern Ireland, which includes initiatives like the North West Business & Technology Zone (NWBTZ). The NWBTZ is aimed at promoting the linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry in line with the NI Regional Development Strategy 2025.
273. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific measures included in the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 to target unemployment in County Donegal in view of the fact that 2014 is designated the year for jobs and in view of the fact that County Donegal has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16819/14]
View answerThe Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity through the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, which recognises the need for measures to support the unemployed and keep jobseekers close to the labour market. In this context, the major elements of the Government’s response are set out in the Department of Social Protection’s strategy “Pathways to Work” , which is aimed at ensuring that as many as possible of the job vacancies that are created as the economy recovers, are filled by people from the Live Register - with a particular focus on those who are long-term unemployed or at risk of long-term unemployment.
The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs builds on the 2012 and 2013 Action Plans. This year’s Plan includes targets for Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the new Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to support a total of 30,500 direct new jobs during 2014.
In terms of specific initiatives in Donegal by these agencies, the Donegal County Enterprise Board (CEB) has been active in providing supports to micro-enterprises throughout the County. In 2013, the Board approved grant aid for 29 projects, with a value of €577,000 and an associated potential of 126 jobs. The CEB also ran a range of training and management development programmes with over 870 participants, and approved access to mentoring services for over 90 businesses. The latest figures available indicate that there are 2,434 people employed on a full-time and part-time basis in companies supported by the CEB in Co. Donegal. Already in 2014, the Board has run the Annual Donegal Business Week with over 780 participants attending the 19 events held during the week. The week was organised by the CEB in conjunction with Udarás na Gaeltachta, Donegal Local Development Company, WestBic, Letterkenny IT/CoLab and Enterprise Ireland.
As the Deputy will be aware, the CEB will shortly be dissolved and established as a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) within Donegal County Council, as part of the reform of the model of supports for the micro-enterprise sector. The LEO will integrate the business support and enterprise development functions of the Council with an enhanced range of existing CEB functions, such as making it easier to obtain the full support of agencies including Revenue, Social Protection, Microfinance Ireland, the Credit Review Office, Skillnets and the Education and Training Boards. This reform will result in the provision of the best possible service to people who have a business idea.
There are 165 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Donegal employing 3,342 people on a full-time and part-time basis. Enterprise Ireland runs many initiatives to help sustain existing jobs and to create new jobs in the region and provides funding to the Institute of Technology in Letterkenny to build the research capabilities in the region. In addition, the Community Enterprise Centres, funded through Enterprise Ireland, are providing enterprise space to cater for micro and small enterprises throughout Donegal. Enterprise Ireland approved over €3.2m in 2013 for companies, entrepreneurs and Third Level institutes in Donegal and to date in 2014, the Agency has made payments of over €281,000 to companies in Donegal. There are 13 IDA Ireland-supported companies in Donegal employing 2,381 people in full and part time employment in Software Development, Systems Development and the Medical Technology industry. Donegal’s industry base is transforming from the clothing and textile industry into high-tech, high-skill activity and IDA Ireland promotes Donegal as a successful location for high-end manufacturing mainly to companies in the medical technologies sector. In addition IDA Ireland engages with its existing base of companies in Donegal, highlighting the ongoing importance of upskilling/reskilling and the need to add high value activities in order to ensure sustainability and ongoing development.
274. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department that the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17107/14]
View answerAll correspondence received in my office is acknowledged and responded to appropriately, having particular regard to my roles and responsibilities as Minister in relation to the issue or issues being raised.
Any correspondence containing allegations of wrongdoing is brought to the direct attention of the relevant authority for appropriate follow up.
275. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions she will take to stop the discrimination by private landlords against rent allowance tenants as they are ending up homeless and on the housing waiting lists and unable to get a home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16118/14]
View answer286. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions she will take under existing legislation to stop landlords discriminating against rent allowance tenants as many are facing eviction and will end up homeless. [16117/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 286 together.
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are currently approximately 78,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.
Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department’s relationship is with the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their accommodation needs. The tenant’s engagement with the Department usually takes place after the tenant has reached an agreement with the landlord. There is no contractual relationship established between the landlord and the Department. The fact that approximately 78,000 people are currently in receipt of rent supplement proves that a significant number of landlords are accommodating applicants of the scheme and that rent supplement recipients are able to access accommodation.
Discrimination on the basis of an individual’s personal characteristics is prohibited in respect of nine specified grounds in the access to and supply of goods and services, including housing, by the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2012. These grounds are gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Travelling community. The prohibition applies to direct discrimination, whereby a person is treated less favourably than another is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation on any of the grounds specified.
However, also prohibited is indirect discrimination, where an apparently neutral provision puts a person of a specified gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Travelling community at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons, unless the provision is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.
It is therefore open to a person, including a person in receipt of rent supplement, who has been refused a private tenancy and who feels that this refusal is directly linked to his or her gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Travelling community to refer a discrimination complaint to the Equality Tribunal under the Equal Status Acts. Information and advice in this regard is available from the Equality Authority.
Question No. 276 withdrawn.
277. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15959/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 23rd January 2014. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the person concerned submitted additional evidence which was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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.
278. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection if the definition of a member under the occupational pensions schemes (Member Participation in the Selection of Persons for Appointment As Trustees) (No. 3), 1996 (SI number 376 of 1996) can be amended to include deferred members, particularly as deferred members make up a large percentage of members in all pensions schemes taking into consideration the fluid nature of the workplace now compared to when the legislation was drafted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15976/14]
View answerThere are no plans at the moment to amend the definition of a member under the occupational pensions schemes (Member Participation in the Selection of Persons for Appointment As Trustees) (No. 3), 1996 (SI number 376 of 1996) to include deferred members. While the point made has been noted, it is important to recognise that all trustees, no matter how appointed, have an obligation to act in the interests of all members and not as representatives or advocates for a particular subset.
279. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of motor vehicles in the possession of her Department or agencies of her Department that are not required to hold motor tax; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16034/14]
View answerNeither the Department nor any agencies of the Department possess motor vehicles that are not required to hold motor tax.
280. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of motor vehicles in the possession of her Department or agencies of her Department that do not hold an insurance policy; the manner in which insurance claims arising in respect of vehicles in the possession of her Department or its agencies are handled; the amount of insurance claims paid on behalf of her Department in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16050/14]
View answerNeither the Department nor any agencies of the Department possess motor vehicles that do not hold an insurance policy.
281. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16079/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15th October 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 were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 13th March 2014 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on the 31st March 2014 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.
282. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the fact that her Department has estimated the reform of the State pension contributory eligibility in September 2012 would save €0.5 million, €2.8 million in 2013, €5.5 million in 2014, €8.2 million in 2015, if she will provide a breakdown of savings achieved by rate band since 2012 and 2013; and planned savings by rate band for 2014 and 2015. [16098/14]
View answerThe Deputy has requested information that is not readily available. It is not possible to provide this information today.
However, I will be in touch with the Deputy as soon as the reply is complete.
283. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a rate band analysis of all State pension contributory awards since 1 September 2012, broken down by number of awards, gender and percentage of overall awards (details supplied). [16099/14]
View answerThere were 47,136 State Pension Contributory claims awarded in the period since September 1st 2012. A breakdown of these claims by rate band and gender is provided in the tabular statement below. The claims are further broken down to identify mixed rate, EU and other bilateral awards, where the rate of payment is a percentage of the relevant rate for the full amount in each band.
|
- |
Rates Band € |
Male SPC rate banding |
Female SPC rate banding |
Male mixed/EU rate banding |
Female mixed/EU rate banding |
% Male claims in band |
% Female claims in band |
|
48 or over |
230.30 |
17,604 |
6,061 |
1,470 |
464 |
66% |
36% |
|
40-47 |
225.80 |
2,956 |
921 |
531 |
337 |
12% |
7% |
|
30-39 |
207.00 |
2,418 |
2,581 |
333 |
524 |
9% |
17% |
|
20-29 |
196.00 |
2,125 |
4,284 |
205 |
563 |
8% |
27% |
|
15-19 |
150.00 |
859 |
1,356 |
77 |
223 |
3% |
9% |
|
10-14* |
92.00 |
505 |
611 |
36 |
92 |
2% |
4% |
|
Total |
- |
26,467 |
15,814 |
2,652 |
2,203 |
100% |
100% |
* Half rate pre 53 and self employed claims are included in this band as it is close to their actual rate.
284. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost to the State if the home credit scheme had been in place, based on claims for State pension contributory from Sept 2012 to date in 2014. [16100/14]
View answerThe homemaker’s scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. It does this by disregarding years spent outside the workforce on such duties when calculating the average contributions per year on the pensioner’s record.
To be eligible for the homemaker's scheme, a person must:
- Permanently live in the State (exception may be made where EU regulations apply),
- Be aged under 66,
- Have started insurable employment or self-employment before the age of 56,
- Not work full-time, although for the purposes of this scheme, a person can work and earn less than €38 gross per week,
- Care for a child (under 12) or an incapacitated person on a full-time basis.
The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, and/or an incapacitated person, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes.
However, it is important to note that the scheme will not, of itself, qualify a person for a pension. The standard qualifying conditions, which require a person to enter insurance ten years before pension age, pay a minimum of 520 contributions at the correct rate and achieve a yearly average of at least 10 contributions on their record from the time they enter insurance until they reach pension age, must also be satisfied. For those who do not satisfy these conditions, and have an income need, a means-tested State pension may be available.
The introduction of homemaker credits would be an alternative approach. Instead of disregarding years outside the labour market, reducing the duration of the insurance record, and thereby increasing the average number of contributions paid per year, a homemakers credits scheme would involve the award of credits for the period(s) spent outside the labour market in a caring capacity. A homemaker credit would improve the likelihood of qualifying and of receiving a higher rate of pension for those affected.
However, the introduction of homemaker credits raises a number of issues, most notably cost. If they were awarded from a current date, the cost initially would likely be low, at less than €100,000 per annum, based on 2010 estimates. Costs in relation to current homemaker’s disregard scheme are expected to increase in the coming years due to the 20% increase in female employment rates between 1994 and 2008.
A further factor impacting on possible costs would be the date from when such credits were effective. The 2007 Green Paper on Pensions indicated that to back-date the current homemaker’s disregard scheme to 1953, the year when the unified system of social insurance was introduced, would cost the Exchequer some €160 million per annum.
Another factor is the number of possible eligible people previously employed in Ireland, who are now resident in other countries such as the UK and for which no estimates are available but which could add significantly to costs, given the general increase in female employment.
It is planned that a total contributions approach to pension qualification will replace the current average contributions test for State pension (contributory). The proposed date for the introduction of this change is 2020, but this may be subject to change.
The total contributions approach (whereby the pension payment will be based on the number of contributions paid and credited) will remove the current anomaly whereby people can achieve a higher average contribution rate, and thus a higher level of pension, even where they have a lower total number of contributions paid. This move will bring transparency and fairness to the eligibility for pension. Issues such as the introduction of homemaker’s credits will be considered in the context of this reform.
