Written Answers Nos. 94-105
94. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount identified by her Department through the detection of overpayments in 2013; the amount of these moneys that has been recouped; the amount that is still outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19853/14]
View answerEnsuring that the right person is paid the right amount of money at the right time is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department of Social Protection. The Department processes in excess of 2.3 million claims each year and it makes payments to over 1.5 million people every week.
Overpayments are generally defined as money obtained contrary to - or in excess of - a valid decision. Most overpayments arise as a result of a revised decision regarding entitlement. Deciding officers decide the effective date of a revised decision having regard to the new facts or new evidence and the circumstances of the case. An overpayment is assessed for the period that a client was not entitled to a payment and the recovery of the overpayment is followed up by the relevant section of the Department.
The overpayments recorded in 2013 are part of the statutory accounts of the Department and are currently the subject of an audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
However, preliminary figures indicate that the total amount recorded in respect of overpayments in 2013 was approximately €127m, while recoveries were approximately €70m. It should be noted that not all recoveries made in 2013 are in respect of overpayments raised in that year.
95. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19866/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
97. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the rules of the State contributory pension under which many women have reduced contributions and pensions as they were obliged to remain at home to raise their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19883/14]
View answerThe State pension is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. This is particularly important given the challenges in relation to the future sustainability of the State pension, with increased numbers of older people living longer.
When assessing whether an individual is entitled to a State pension, and to ensure that they can maximise such entitlement, all contributions (paid or credited) from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account.
Once over 16 years of age, the date a person enters into insurable employment is taken as the date used for averaging purposes in order to qualify for a State pension.
To qualify for a state pension a person must –
- have at least 520 paid contributions and
- satisfy a yearly average condition (a yearly average of 48 contributions paid or credited is required for a full rate pension, and reduced rates of payment may be payable for pensioners with lower averages).
The yearly average test has been in existence since 1961 when contributory pensions were first introduced. The scheme was designed with a view to ensuring that people could qualify for contributory pensions immediately and to suit a system where social insurance coverage was limited. 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.
For those with insufficient contributions to qualify for a full or partial State pension (contributory), the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. The 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. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age or incapacitated people to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes. In addition, persons who have insufficient contributions to qualify for a full State pension (contributory), may qualify for a means tested State pension (non-contributory). Furthermore, some affected persons may be entitled to a qualified adult increase on their spouse’s/partner’s pension payment. This increase is paid directly to the qualified adult.
The success of all of these measures in ensuring equality of outcomes for men and women is evidenced by the poverty statistics, which show that women over the age of 65 are less likely to be in poverty than men of the same age. The most recently published Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund confirms that the Fund provides better value to female rather than male contributors. It also examined the changes in the contribution rules and the associated rates of payment which were to be introduced in September 2012. It found that those with lower earnings and those with shorter contribution histories will continue to obtain the best value from their contributions.
A total contributions approach to pension qualification will replace the current average contributions test for State pension (contributory) in 2020, although that date is subject to change. Issues such as equality of outcomes for women and men, including those who spend some years outside the labour market on caring duties, will be considered carefully in the context of that reform.
99. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil anailís déanta aige ar na costais a bhaineann le doiciméid a aistriú ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge agus an moladh á chur i gcuntas atá déanta aige i gcinn Bhille na dteangacha oifigiúla (leasú) na dualgais reachtúla a bhaineann le doiciméid a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge a laghdú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [19766/14]
View answerFoilsíodh an t-athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 mar aon le Scéim Ghinearálta agus Ceannteidil Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2014 ar an 4 Aibreán 2014. Ba í aidhm an athbhreithnithe, a sonraíodh i gClár an Rialtais 2011-2016, chun a chinntiú go mbaintear an leas is fearr as caiteachas ar an nGaeilge chun an teanga a fhorbairt agus chun a chinntiú go bhforchuirtear dualgais go cuí de réir éilimh ó shaoránaigh. Sonraítear i gCeannteideal 4 den Scéim Ghinearálta an leasú atá beartaithe a dhéanamh ar alt 10 den Phríomh-Acht i dtaca le cúrsaí aistriúcháin de. Is é atá i gceist ná fáil réidh leis an bhforáil reatha in alt 10(a) lena gceanglaítear “aon doiciméad ina leagtar amach tograí beartais phoiblí” a chur ar fáil i ngach ceann de na teangacha oifigiúla. Leis an leasú atá beartaithe, ceanglófar ar an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, le toiliú an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe agus aon Aire nó Airí eile, de réir mar is cuí, na doiciméid ina bhfuil tograí beartais phoiblí agus atá le cur ar fáil i ngach ceann de na teangacha oifigiúla a fhorordú.
Leis an tsolúbthacht seo, rachfar i ngleic le ceann de na príomhábhair imní atá tagtha chun cinn maidir leis na costais fhorfheidhmithe a ghabhann leis an Acht, i.e. an costas a bhaineann le doiciméid nach bhfuil éileamh an phobail orthu a aistriú. Fanfaidh an riachtanas doiciméid shonraithe faoi leith ar díol spéise poiblí iad a chur ar fáil go dátheangach (i.e. tuarascálacha bliantúla, cuntais iniúchta agus ráitis straitéise).
Creidimse go léiríonn an leasú atá molta cur chuige straitéiseach praiticiúil a rachaidh chun tairbhe don Ghaeilge sa todhchaí.
100. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on whether the bilateral co-production treaty with Luxembourg has been successful; if so, the way he measures that success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19860/14]
View answer101. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of co-productions there have been with Luxembourg since 1994; if he will provide the names and dates; and if he will specify which came under the European convention on co-production and which under bilateral agreement. [19861/14]
View answer102. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of co-productions there have been with Germany since 1994; if will provide the names and dates; and if he will specify which came under the European convention on co-production. [19862/14]
View answer103. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of co-productions there have been with France since 1994; if he will provide the names and dates; and if he will specify which came under the European convention on co-production. [19863/14]
View answer104. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of co-productions there have been with the UK since 1994; if he will provide the names and dates; and if he will specify which came under the European convention on co-production. [19864/14]
View answer105. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he favours a bilateral co-production treaty with Germany; the steps that have been taken to advance same; and the Government's position regarding such a bilateral agreement. [19865/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 to 105, inclusive, together.
Ireland's bilateral co-production treaty with Luxembourg commenced in June 2013 and is intended to promote closer mutual co-operation in the production of films, TV and animation projects, to enhance the prestige of the audio-visual industries of both countries and to promote relationships between the participating countries. I trust the Deputy will agree that it is too soon after the commencement of the co-production treaty to determine how successful it has been and that it should be given a chance to prove itself.
As the Deputy will be aware, treaties are made between Governments, while the actual operation of the treaties is undertaken by appointed agencies or Government Departments. In Ireland, the competent authority for the operation of co-production treaties is the Irish Film Board.
Ireland, like all other EU member states, is a party to the European Convention on Cinematograph Co-Production, which is a Council of Europe initiative. The Convention was established in 1993 and Ireland as a party in 2000.
The significant difference between the European Convention on Cinematograph Co-Production and the bilateral treaty with Luxembourg is that the former treaty allows TV projects to be included. Such projects are not covered by the European Convention on Cinematograph Co-Production.
I am open to the idea of completing a bilateral co-production treaty with Germany and I recently wrote to the German Ambassador to Ireland indicating that I would be pleased if the possibility of completing the treaty could be examined again.
The following list sets out details of the multilateral and bilateral co-productions with Luxembourg, Germany, France and the UK that have taken place since 2000.
Multi-Lateral Co-Productions between Ireland, Luxembourg, UK, France and Germany
H3 - Metropolitan Films (2001) Ireland/Germany/UK/Portugal
KAOS – Blue Light Productions (2001) Ireland/Germany/UK/Denmark
NOW (aka THE REAL THING) - Wide Eye Limited (2002) Ireland/Germany/UK
THE ACTORS – Company of Wolves (2002) Ireland/Germany/UK
MOBY DICK – Terraglyph (2003) Ireland/UK/Germany/Sweden
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS – Company of Wolves (2003)
Ireland/Germany/UK
WAITING FOR DUBLIN – Merlin Films (2003) Ireland/UK/Belgium
SHORT ORDER – Igloo Productions (2004) Ireland/UK/Germany
UGLY DUCKLING AND ME – Magma Limited (2004) Ireland/Denmark/France/Germany
THE SECRET OF KELLS – Cartoon Saloon (2005) Ireland/France/Belgium
TRUE NORTH – Samson Films (2005) Ireland/UK/Germany
THE FRONT LINE – Wide Eye Films (2005) Ireland/UK/Germany/Sweden
JOHNNY WAS – Iarlaith Films Limited (2005) Ireland/ UK/Denmark
LASSIE – Element Pictures Limited (2005) Ireland/UK/France
WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY – Element Pictures (2005) Ireland/UK/German/Spain/Italy
DOT COM – Zanzibar Films (2006) Ireland/UK/Portugal/Spain/Brazil
LIVING NEON DREAMS – World 2000 (2006) Ireland/UK/Hungary/South Africa
MR. LONELY – Octagon Pictures (2006) Ireland/UK/France/US
SECRET REALM – Zink Films Ltd (2006) Ireland/UK/Belgium/India
SHROOMS - Treasure Entertainment Ltd (2006) Ireland/UK/Denmark
WAY TO THE STARS – Magma (2007) Ireland/Germany/Finland/Denmark/Sweden
DAS VATERSPIEL – Newgrange Pictures (2007) Ireland/Germany/Austria/France
TRIAGE – Parallel Films (2008) Ireland/France/Spain
VASHA – Wide Eye Film Ltd (2008) Ireland/Germany/Finland/Estonia
ALL GOOD CHILDREN – Element Pictures (2009) Ireland/France/Belgium
THOR – Magma (2009) Ireland/Germany/Iceland
THE HIDEAWAYS – Octagon Films (2010) Ireland/France/Sweden
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE – Element Pictures (2010) Ireland/France/Italy
NIKO 2 – Tidal Niko Films Ltd (2011) Ireland/Germany/Denmark/Finland
MOON MAN – Cartoon Saloon (2011) Ireland/France/Germany
SHADOW DANCER – Element Pictures (2011) Ireland/UK/France
ADVENTURE TIME – Element Pictures (2012) Ireland/France/Belgium
DARK TOUCH – Element Pictures (2012) Ireland/France/Sweden
FOOD GUIDE TO LOVE – Parallel Films (2012) Ireland/France/Spain
SONG OF THE SEA – Cartoon Saloon Limited (2012) Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Denmark/Belgium
GHOSTHUNTERS – ON ICY TRAILS - Ripple World Pictures (2013) Ireland/Germany/Austria
THE LEGEND OF LONGWOOD – Grand Pictures Ltd (2013) Ireland/Germany/The Netherlands
JIMMY’S HALL – Element Pictures (2013) Ireland/UK/France
MISS JULIE – Subotica Entertainment (2013) Ireland/UK/Norway/France
QUEEN & COUNTRY – Merlin Pictures (2013) Ireland/UK/France/Romania
Irish-UK Co-Productions
INSIDE I’M DANCING – Octagon Films Ltd (2003)
KING ARTHUR – World 2000 (2003)
LAWS OF ATTRACTION – Hell’s Kitchen (2003)
MAN ABOUT DOG – Treasure Entertainment (2003)
OMAGH – Hell’s Kitchen (2003)
SPIN THE BOTTLE – Grand Picture (2003)
STRAIGHT TO VIDEO – Wildfire Film & Television (2003)
WHITER SHADE OF PALE – Ignition Films (2003)
BOY EATS GIRL - Element Pictures Ltd (2004)
BREAKFAST ON PLUTO – Parallel Films Ltd (2004)
DEAD LONG ENOUGH – Grand Pictures Ltd (2004)
ISOLATION - Element Pictures Ltd (2004)
PUSHERS NEEDED – Parallel Films Ltd (2004)
ROYSTON VASEY – Element Pictures Ltd (2004)
TURF – Grand Pictures Ltd (2004)
THE MIGHTY CELT – Treasure Entertainment (2004)
IN LIKE FLYNN – Subotica Entertainment (2005)
MIDDLETOWN – Green Park Films (2005)
13/BOTCHED – Barraboy Films (2005)
BECOMING JANE – Octagon Films Ltd (2006)
HOLY WATER – Grand Pictures (2006)
HOW ABOUT YOU? – Ferndale Films (2006)
KINGS – Newgrange Pictures (2006)
KNIFE EDGE – Octagon Pictures (2006)
THE TIGER’S TAIL - Greengate Productions Ltd (2006)
THE DAISY CHAIN – Subotica Entertainment (2007)
THE ESCAPIST – Parallel Film Productions (2007)
CRACKS – Element Pictures (2008)
PERRIER’S BOUNTY – Parallel Films (2008)
WIDE OPEN SPACES – Grand Pictures (2008)
LITTLE MATADOR – Element Films (2009)
OUTCAST – Fantastic Films (2009)
CITADEL – Blinder Films (2010)
DREAMS OF A LIFE – Soho Moon Pictures (2010)
GRABBERS – Samson Films (2010)
BYZANTIUM – Parallel Films (2011)
GOOD VIBRATIONS – Treasure Entertainment (2011)
I WAS A SOLDIER II – Soho Moon Pictures (2011)
JUMP - Blinder Films (2011)
KELLY & VICTOR – Venom Pictures (2011)
PERVERTS GUIDE TO IDEOLOGY – Blinder Films (2011)
CALVARY – Octagon Films (2012)
LAST DAYS ON MARS – Fantastic Films (2012)
GENTLEMEN (MEN IN UNIFORM) – Venom Limited (2013)
Irish-French Co-Productions
DOROTHY MILLS – Octagon Films Ltd (2007)
Irish-German Co-Productions
32A – Janey Pictures Ltd (2006)
SWAN SONG OF OCCI BYRNE – Zanzibar Films Ltd (2008)
THE RACE – Grand Pictures Ltd (2008)
HAPPY EVER AFTERS – Newgrange Pictures Ltd (2008)
DEATH OF A SUPERHERO – Grand Pictures Ltd (2010)
RUN & JUMP – Samson Films Ltd (2012)
