Written Answers Nos. 97-107
97. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the success or otherwise of the south east jobs plan; if he will consider such a move for other geographic regions such as the south west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/14]
View answerThe establishment of the South East Region Employment Action Plan was initiated in 2011 as a result of a major and unexpected company closure, i.e. the Talk Talk call centre, with the loss of 575 jobs. This company had been one of the most significant employers in Waterford City.
In addition, in 2011, the South East Region had the highest Unemployment rate in the State, significantly higher than most of the other Regions. For these reasons, I considered that a special and focussed effort was warranted to address the deep seated economic problems facing the region. Accordingly, I asked Forfás to develop a Strategy for the region and the resultant South East Region Employment Action Plan was published in December that year.
To pursue implementation of the Plan, I established a South East Forum , which comprises representatives of key State stakeholders from the region. This was a unique opportunity for key Agencies and bodies to work together in a coordinated way to actively pursue the initiatives to facilitate development and job creation in the region. I have chaired several meetings of the Forum and it is committed to drive economic development and address blockages. There has been significant progress in terms of job creation by the development agencies, with notable successes by both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. In addition, infrastructural improvements, progress on educational initiatives and several other developments have also been achieved.
However, the circumstances giving rise to the initiation of the South East Plan were unique. Accordingly, I consider that it is not practicable or effective to establish jobs task forces or specific jobs plans around the country as a general mechanism to address high unemployment. I believe that to embark on such a course would involve diverting the various State Agencies from their on-going efforts to create jobs. A considerable administrative commitment is involved in servicing any additional committees and groups which may be set up and, given the constrained staff resources facing all public sector bodies at present, I am strongly of the opinion that establishing such additional groups, except in very exceptional circumstances, would not be in the best interests of using the State’s resources effectively.
98. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of defibrillators that are located in Government offices and buildings under the remit of his Department and those under his aegis throughout the country; if these are available in emergency cases outside of office hours in the community in the locations where they are based; the number and cost of same; if he will consider putting some arrangement in place whereby these defibrillators can be located where the public can get access to them during out-of-office-hours times in the interest of health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22381/14]
View answerThe provision of Automated External Defibrillators (‘AEDs’) in the workplace is recommended by the Irish Heart Foundation and the Health and Safety Authority, and is a facility which has been made increasingly available by employers, including the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI).
The use and maintenance of AED is covered by my Department’s AED Policy, which was adopted in 2011. The following Table sets out the information requested, in respect of the Department’s 12 workplace locations in Ireland. These AED facilities have been in place, variously since at least 2008.
|
DJEI building/ Office |
Location |
No. AEDs maintained |
Initial cost € |
Annual maintenance (approx.) |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
€ |
|
Headquarters |
Dublin |
3 |
3,900 |
see below |
|
Davitt House |
Dublin |
3 |
3,900 |
see below |
|
Earlsfort Centre |
Dublin |
3 |
3,900 |
1,300 |
|
Tom Johnson House |
Dublin |
3 |
6,014 |
450 |
|
Harcourt Rd. |
Dublin |
1 |
1,210 |
150 |
|
Parnell House |
Dublin |
1 |
2,443 |
150 |
|
Parnell Square |
Dublin |
1 |
1,744 |
150 |
|
NERA & CRO |
Carlow |
2 |
see below |
- |
|
NERA |
Sligo |
1 |
see below |
- |
|
NERA |
Shannon |
1 |
see below |
- |
|
NERA |
Cork |
1 |
16,175 |
1,000 |
|
Patents |
Kilkenny |
0 |
- |
by OPW |
|
Totals |
- |
20 |
39,286 |
3,200 p.a. |
The use of AEDs at the Department’s workplace locations is confined to staff personnel specifically trained in the use and application of external defibrillation. The availability of AEDs is also subject to the availability of such trained personnel during working hours, as well as access to the building at the workplace in question.
The use of AED in the event of emergency is available equally to staff and visiting members of the public, at any of the Department’s locations.
The question of my Department making AEDs available to the public out of office hours entails additional considerations relating to building access and security as well as potential liability and insurance issues and is not contemplated at this time.
As the Deputy will glean from the data provided, my Department has, particularly in recent years, made a significant investment of resources in, and added to the response available in a medical emergency.
I am satisfied therefore that my Department has made a positive contribution to, and continues to maintain an emergency medical response, in line with best practice in workplace Health and Safety.
99. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of income earners exempt from PRSI as their income is below the threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22053/14]
View answerEmployees whose income does not exceed €38 per week are not liable to pay Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI). It is estimated that for 2014 the number of income earners with income below this threshold will be 8,610.
Where an employee’s weekly earnings exceed €38 but do not exceed €352 per week, he or she has no liability to PRSI but the employer is liable to pay 8.5%. Where an employee’s weekly earnings exceed €352 per week, he or she is liable to pay PRSI at 4%. It is estimated that for 2014 the number of income earners with income greater than €38 per week but below €352 per week will be 585,430.
Information for self-employed persons whose income is below the annual insurability threshold of €5,000 is not available in my department.
100. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the total PRSI yield from self-employed persons in each year from 2008 to 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22054/14]
View answer101. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the total yield from employers’ PRSI in each year from 2008 to 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22055/14]
View answer102. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the total yield from employee PRSI in each year from 2008 to 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22056/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 to 102, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Social Insurance Fund (SIF) |
PRSI Income from 2008-2013 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Year |
Employers |
Employees |
Self-Employed |
TOTAL* |
|
- |
,000 |
,000 |
,000 |
,000 |
|
2008 |
€5,944,892 |
€1,633,708 |
€405,582 |
€7,984,182 |
|
2009 |
€5,290,403 |
€1,559,416 |
€314,787 |
€7,164,606 |
|
2010 |
€5,000,275 |
€1,377,140 |
€330,603 |
€6,708,018 |
|
2011 |
€5,460,786 |
€1,617,352 |
€348,342 |
€7,426,480 |
|
2012 |
€4,995,971 |
€1,479,983 |
€310,386 |
€6,786,340 |
|
2013** |
€5,331,152 |
€1,579,545 |
€397,079 |
€7,307,776 |
* The total represents PRSI receipts only and is exclusive of Health and Training Levies.
** Please note that 2013 is provisional pending completion of statutory audit.
103. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker's allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21874/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision which was communicated to the person concerned on 6th February 2014.
In his decision, the Appeals Officer concluded that the assessment of means from self-employment, which was based on accounts provided by the person concerned for the year ending December 2012, was correct. In making his decision, the Appeals Officer advised that it was open to the person concerned to provide up to date accounts to the Department that may indicate a decrease in his earnings from self-employment for the year ended December 2013. On receipt of this information his means assessment could be reviewed by the Department.
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.
104. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received his fuel allowance for the 2013-14 fuel season. [21876/14]
View answerThe person concerned commenced on Tús on 30 September 2013 with Údarás na Gaeltachta. Prior to commencement on Tús, the person was paid €156.40 per week. This was increased to €208 per week on Tús and further increased to €266.80 per week in January 2014 due to changes in family circumstances. The person concerned had no entitlement to fuel allowance on the basis that their spouse was in receipt of a separate social protection payment which included the fuel allowance.
Participants on Tús are paid a fuel allowance where they were in receipt of the allowance prior to commencing on the scheme and where they continue to satisfy the conditions for that payment. A person who was not in receipt of a fuel allowance prior to commencement on any of the Department’s work placements schemes cannot qualify for that payment during their placement. All social welfare and work placement schemes, including the fuel allowance and Tús, are operated on the basis of publically available guidelines, which ensure fairness and consistency in determining eligibility. Full details on the criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that a child care service (details supplied) remains open as it is a critical service for families in the area and its closure would result in the loss of 55 jobs and a number of community employment, Tús and training positions. [21879/14]
View answerDarndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Services has a substantial allocation of workers from Community Employment and JobBridge assisting in the delivery of services. Funding is provided for the wages of Community Employment participants, associated materials costs and training costs.
The provision of child care is not a function of Department of Social Protection, as responsibility for issues pertaining to child care rests with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
107. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding social welfare entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21900/14]
View answerThe person concerned is receiving jobseeker’s allowance at the full rate for a single person. She should contact her nearest DSP Intreo Office or Citizens’ Information Centre whereupon any other possible social welfare entitlements can be outlined to her.
