Written Answers Nos. 51-71
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Written Answers Nos. 51-71
51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which science and innovation supports have been made available to small and medium enterprises in each of the past five years to date; the number of jobs created under this heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23966/14]
View answerEnterprise Ireland’s mission is to work with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, and competitiveness with the ultimate objective of employment and export growth. Enterprise Ireland’s support is targeted primarily at exporting companies, delivered by working directly with businesses, and the research and investment communities to build sustainable competitive advantage for our economy and assist companies in achieving success in global markets. Assistance is available from Enterprise Ireland for all stages of company development from, for example, small projects under the Innovation Voucher Scheme to larger projects under the Innovation Partnership Scheme and the R&D Fund. Over the last five years, Enterprise Ireland has made payments of €199 million to companies in respect of a range of direct research and innovation activities as follows:
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Total R&D Payments* |
€51m |
€49m |
€35m |
€32m |
€32m |
*The reduction in R&D payments over the period 2009 – 2013 is due mainly to the impact of the recession.
In addition to the direct supports for research and innovation activities Enterprise Ireland also funds industry focused Technology Centres with over 300 member companies at present and the Technology Gateways programme which generates over 200 collaborative research projects completed for industry each year to provide interfaces between the academic research community and companies in Ireland.
All of Enterprise Ireland’s business development supports, including research and innovation funding, contribute to the overall export and employment figures of Enterprise Ireland’s client companies, the majority of which are SMEs. The following table shows the total number of jobs created by Enterprise Ireland client companies from 2009 to 2013. This data is based on the Annual Employment Survey carried out by Forfás in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland. The survey results do not provide a breakdown by company size or type of support received.
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Permanent Full Time |
133523 |
137241 |
141228 |
145460 |
149718 |
|
Other |
16011 |
19336 |
21464 |
23991 |
26032 |
|
Total |
149534 |
156577 |
162692 |
169451 |
175750 |
This steady increase in employment growth demonstrates the positive impact of Enterprise Ireland’s direct support for SMEs. The growth in employment also reflects increasing levels of exports from EI client companies which reached €15.2 billion in 2011, €16.2 billion in 2012, and €17.1 billion in 2013. Enterprise Ireland supported companies, directly and indirectly, are estimated to account for more than 300,000 jobs in the Irish economy or approximately 16% of the total number at work.
Information on all supports for research and development is available on the Enterprise Ireland website – www.enterprise-Ireland.com.
52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which foreign direct investment has resulted in job creation in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23967/14]
View answer54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which foreign direct investment continues to play a role in enterprises here resulting in job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23969/14]
View answer58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he expects job creation to continue arising from foreign direct investment here over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23973/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 54 and 58 together.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of Ireland’s economic development strategy. Foreign-owned firms contribute substantially to Ireland’s exports, jobs, expenditure in the Irish economy and to Exchequer funds. FDI plays a key role in stimulating the development of ‘new’ sectors in Ireland, in enhancing our research, development and innovation performance and in accelerating the achievement of critical mass within sectors. Every 10 jobs in an IDA Ireland client company supports 7 jobs in the wider economy.
I am glad to say that the numbers employed in companies supported by IDA Ireland has steadily increased in the five year period 2009 to 2013 inclusive. Total employment in IDA Ireland client companies (including companies that were formerly clients of Shannon Development) has risen from 144,843 in 2009 to 166,184 in 2013.
The Action Plan for Jobs is a key component of the Government’s response to the unemployment problem and its specific ambition is to have 100,000 more people in work by 2016. The Government has set out an objective to create a positive environment to support business start-ups and growth, drive exports and facilitate job creation and retention by the enterprise sector.
Under the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs, IDA Ireland is tasked with the creation of 13,000 new gross jobs (yielding approximately 6,000 net new jobs) during the year. Significantly, under the Plan additional resources are committed to IDA Ireland aimed at achieving an increased market presence and consequential delivery of an additional 10,000 new jobs (6,000 direct and 4,000 indirect) over and above the year’s target of 13,000, intensifying employment growth over a five year period.
In addition the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands region, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.
Under the 2014-2020 Regional Aid Guidelines, which will enter into force on 1 July 2014, areas accounting for 51.28% of Ireland’s population will now be eligible for assistance. This represents a substantial increase from the 25% originally proposed by the Commission, and an increase from the 50% under the 2007-2013 Map. Another key issue for Ireland in the negotiations on the Regional Aid Guidelines with the Commission was the prospect of not being allowed to grant aid large enterprises. Ireland was part of a group of Member States that successfully negotiated a compromise with the Commission whereby it will be possible to provide investment aid to large enterprises for new economic activities and diversification of existing enterprises into new products or new process innovation. Aid intensity rates were also maintained at their current levels.
While the global outlook for FDI continues to be challenging, I am satisfied that IDA Ireland will continue to deliver on its target of creating a further 13,000 jobs this year as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2014.
53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which major foreign direct investors here have been in a position to access EU supports in terms of science and innovation grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23968/14]
View answerEuropean research programmes provide valuable opportunities for Irish-based firms to engage in high-level international research, while also being a critical source of non-exchequer funding for this important economic activity.
Running from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of almost €80 billion, Horizon 2020 is the EU’s new programme for research and innovation and is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe. Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis through 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 our excellent performance in the last EU programme for research and development, the Seventh EU Framework Programme (FP7), where some €600m in funding was awarded to companies and academics in Ireland. Irish-based foreign multinationals are actively supported to engage in collaborative international research. In FP7 there were over 400 participations by 70 IDA Ireland client companies, with over €32m of funding awarded to such companies.
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, under the chairmanship of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, has been established to oversee the implementation of the national strategy. This includes identifying key areas of opportunity where researchers, agencies and companies in Ireland can maximise their participation in the programme.
A national support network of National Contact Points 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.
I am confident that, building on our successful performance in FP7 and supported by our national strategy and a strong national support network, Irish companies and multinational corporations based in Ireland will continue to have excellent support to compete for Horizon 2020 funding.
56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which science and innovation continues to play a role in the setting up of new or supporting existing enterprises here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23971/14]
View answerThe importance of investment in science, technology and innovation to Ireland’s ongoing and future economic and social development has been well recognised by the Government. Our focus has and continues to be very much on prioritising public investment in research while better exploiting results in order to lead to an acceleration of growth and job creation. This investment in scientific research is having many positive impacts including powering an innovative and enterprising economy, creating high-value jobs, attracting, developing and nurturing business, scientists and talented people and ensuring Ireland is connected and respected internationally.
In order for companies to grow their employment, they need to increase their competitiveness and grow their sales and export growth; to achieve success on the global market they must be innovative in order to differentiate themselves. Investment is based on a dual approach. Firstly, investing in people, infrastructure and associated facilities to build the science base and secondly, direct support to the enterprise sector to build their capacity for research and development.
Enterprise Ireland, together with the IDA and Science Foundation Ireland, provide a spectrum of science, technology and innovation development programmes that deliver financial, technical and experiential support to help companies become more innovative, encourage and support competitiveness, and help them grow their sales and exports in order to create a climate in which sustainable employment will grow and expand.
Employment by companies supported by Enterprise Ireland increased by a net 5,442 in 2013. This represents the highest level of job growth in a decade and is a positive indication of a productive indigenous enterprise sector where investment in science, technology and innovation continues to play a key role. Similarly, IDA Ireland saw a fourth consecutive year of employment growth with 7,071 net new jobs in 2013 and 164 new investments won, with 27 of these specifically in Research, Development and Innovation. Science Foundation Ireland is a key part of the enterprise ecosystem and in 2013 SFI had links to 41% (2,618) of 6,449 jobs (90 company announcements) announced by the IDA in all fields.
The commercialisation of research represents one of the most direct ways a return from the investment in science and innovation can be seen and this return is most recognisably evidenced by the number of commercially valuable technologies transferred from the higher education sector to industry and the number of spin out companies created that are based on academic research. Enterprise Ireland has responsibility for the commercialisation of all research funded in the State and it employs two main approaches in this regard; by funding the commercialisation & technology transfer infrastructure in the State and by operating a commercialisation funding programme.
Enterprise Ireland’s research commercialisation activities helped to create thirty-four spin-out companies from higher education research and facilitated the transfer of over 100 pieces of commercially valuable technology to companies in 2013. Over 100 companies were created via its on-campus entrepreneurial training initiative, New Frontiers. These activities were supported by the extensive campus incubation facilities which housed 350 companies employing over 1,500 people in 2013.
The recent launch of Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) - the state funded central technology transfer office - further advances the Government’s plan to strengthen and standardise the Irish knowledge transfer infrastructure.
KTI is the first resource of its kind in Europe and offers businesses the ability to search research and expertise available in Irish HEIs, find opportunities to licence new technology and IP, and access practical guides and model agreements - all of which can be used by business as a starting point to engaging with the research sector.
The 2014 European Commission’s Innovation Union Scoreboard, published recently shows Ireland increasing its position from tenth to ninth in the overall ranking of 28 Member States. It is also particularly encouraging to see that Ireland is the overall leader in the indicator for the economic effects of innovation. This captures the economic success of innovation in employment in knowledge-intensive activities, the contribution of medium and high-tech product exports to the trade balance, exports of knowledge-intensive services, sales due to innovation activities and licence and patent revenues from selling technologies abroad.
The Action Plan for Jobs gives a clear mandate to Enterprise Ireland to drive entrepreneurship and new business start-ups. 2013 was a very strong year with many highlights, including the big increase in female led start-ups and the strong showing of new start-ups from overseas and spin-outs from Irish Universities and Institutes of Technology. In 2013, Enterprise Ireland invested in 104 new High Potential Start Up companies and also provided critical funding to 85 early stage entrepreneurs under its Competitive Start Funds. These companies come from a wide range of sectors including key areas that the Government has targeted for growth, including the financial services, ICT, games, pharmaceutical and medical devices.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 emphasises the importance of innovation and the use of technology as core drivers of job creation in Ireland’s key sectors during 2014 and into the coming years. Research and development support programmes and initiatives remain key to the setting up of new and supporting existing Irish business in order to drive growth, sustainability, exports and employment. My Department and its enterprise agencies will continue to promote the application of research, development and innovation to gain competitive advantage and to build on the strengths that have emerged from the investment to date in Science, Technology and Innovation.
57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he expects jobs to be created in the small and medium enterprise sector in the coming years; the way this compares with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23972/14]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs is the Government’s main policy instrument to support job creation. The Action Plan has set a target of supporting the creation of an additional 100,000 jobs in the economy by 2016 by improving the operating environment for businesses.
Over 99% of all businesses in Ireland are SMEs and it is estimated that 72% of all employees in Ireland work in SMEs. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that a significant number of the jobs that are created through the Action Plan process will be in the SME sector.
The most recent labour market statistics published by the Central Statistics Office, show that over 63,000 jobs have been created since the Action Plan for Jobs process was introduced at the start of 2012.
A significant number of initiatives have been introduced through the annual Action Plans to support the SME sector. These include:
- the introduction of new financing models for SMEs, such as the Microfinance Loan Fund for start-ups and the Partial Credit Guarantee scheme;
- the reform of support structures for SMEs through the establishment of the new Local Enterprise Offices;
- Corporation Tax exemption to the end of this year for companies that commenced trading in 2012, 2013 or 2014;
- the introduction of the JobsPlus scheme that provides a subsidy to employers who recruit a person who has been unemployed for 12 months or more;
- the launch of a new National Step Change initiative to improve the productivity of manufacturing companies
- an increase in the cash receipts threshold for VAT, which will improve cash-flow for businesses;
- tackling the issue of late payments by transposing the EU Late Payment Directive into Irish legislation;
- the introduction this year of a new subsidised Financial Training programme for SMEs.
We will continue to seek new actions to further support SMEs through the Action Plan for Jobs process in the coming years.
59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing services sectors that have qualified for State or EU support in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23974/14]
View answerThe Development Agencies and the new Local Enterprise Offices operate a range of supports and services, including assisting companies in both the manufacturing and services sectors, as both of these sectors are crucial to the economy and to job creation. In addition, it can be possible for companies to also access State or EU supports from other sources. However many companies are not exclusively in either the manufacturing or services sectors and not all such companies are eligible for assistance, depending on complex rules. For these reasons, there is considerable difficulty in providing clearly defined data as sought by the Deputy and the information requested is not easily available in the format requested.
The Forfás Strategy for the Manufacturing Sector, which I commissioned and which was published last year, identified that an additional 20,000 jobs can be created in the sector by 2016. To this end, the enterprise agencies and other relevant players have been tasked with working to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturing in Ireland by working with companies and implementing the recommendations in the Strategy. Some of this assistance will take the form of mentoring and management development, rather than financial support. That sector lost 50,000 jobs in the years up to 2010 but at the end of 2013, there were a total of 215,900 people directly employed in the sector, which was an increase of 10,000 on the numbers identified at the time the Strategy was published. This sector also supports a similar number of jobs indirectly, only some of which would be State supported.
Foreign-owned firms contribute substantially to Ireland’s exports, jobs, expenditure in the Irish economy and to Exchequer funds and IDA Ireland has been very successful in attracting these foreign companies, many of which have manufacturing or service-related activity, or even both, but not all of whom would qualify for financial support. It has been established that every 10 jobs created in multinational companies lead to approximately 7 jobs being created elsewhere in the economy in supply and service businesses, so the employment generation is very significant.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) works in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales on global markets. That Agency works with about 3,500 client companies and those clients include many in Manufacturing and Internationally Traded Services sectors, but also others in the innovation space, which are not as easy to exclusively categorise.
The Services sector accounts for two thirds of total employment within Ireland. While the majority of service firms are not supported by the State, in respect of agency supported companies, the job creation trend is very positive. A range of sectoral initiatives have been devised to facilitate new and established services companies to grow, with particular focus on International Financial Services, Business Process Outsourcing/Shared Services, Education Services, Retail and Wholesale, Tourism, Construction Services and ICT Services.
Both the manufacturing and services sectors are therefore important sectors for job growth potential and there will be a continued focus on their development, but inevitably only some of this support will be financial.
61. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which there are incentives to encourage entrepreneurship among young persons currently; if the strategy employed is sufficiently effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23976/14]
View answerYoung entrepreneurs and third level students are a seed bed for future business start-ups and as such they should be part of Ireland getting back on its feet, and the drive to stimulate more entrepreneurship, micro and small business activity. It is not only important to support existing entrepreneurs but also to work towards encouraging greater levels of entrepreneurship in the future. Using additional funding secured, my Department is continuing its work on developing a range of new initiatives in 2014 to support youth entrepreneurship and young people with a business idea to start their own business, to be delivered through the local enterprise offices (LEOs) and Enterprise Ireland.
On 15 May I launched a new competition to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, with a total fund of €2 million available to invest in winning businesses and entrepreneurs in every county in the country. The competition is open to individuals aged 30 and under and will be judged under three distinct categories:
- best new idea
- best start-up business
- best established business with new add-on.
Mentoring, marketing and other supports will also be available to participating businesses at various stages of the competition from the LEOs.
On 29th May I launched a new €500,000 Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund targeted at stimulating new start-up business activity for graduates. This fund will provide for up to €50,000 in support for each successful applicant. This Fund is the first of its type for graduates and will provide a package of financial and developmental supports. Applications will be considered on a competitive basis and the financial support will be in the form of equity investment. The support will be towards costs associated with developing the business and achieving key milestones.
Within the context of the Action Plan for Jobs, I have also committed to:
- roll out an enhanced Student Enterprise Awards initiative targeting a greater number of students from the third level sector and increasing the quality of applications.
- Support the voluntary youth work sector by facilitating links between local youth services and the LEOs and Microfinance Ireland so that young people, especially those who are furthest from the labour market, can be supported and mentored in entrepreneurial initiatives.
The LEOs will be shortly completing their comprehensive Enterprise Development Plans for each Local Authority area for review by the Enterprise Ireland Centre of Excellence. A specific element of these plans is the LEOs’ efforts to promote entrepreneurship in schools. As with all elements of the LEOs’ activities, the intention of the Centre of Excellence will be to identify best practice across the LEOs and promote this for adoption across the country. In this specific area, this should over time lead to increased participation and impact as approaches are developed and fine-tuned.
62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created or lost in major industries or small and medium enterprises in County Kildare in each of the past five years to date; the extent of the investment under each heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23977/14]
View answerAs regards jobs created and lost, the only figures available to my Department are those in respect of jobs created and lost, on a county basis, in client companies of the Enterprise Development Agencies under the aegis of my Department. Tables 1 and 2 which follow provide details of jobs created and lost, since 2008 in companies in Co. Kildare that were supported by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland and, from 2010 to 2013, in the case of companies supported by Kildare County Enterprise Board.
Details of investment in companies supported by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Kildare CEB/LEO Kildare for the years 2008 to 2012 inclusive are set out in Table 3. Figures for 2013 will be available in the relevant Annual Reports and Accounts to be published later this year.
With effect from 15 April 2014, supports for job creation and retention for the micro-enterprise sector are being provided by Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), which replaced the City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs). As the Deputy will be aware, the CEBs had supported the indigenous micro-enterprise sector in the start-up and expansion phases and stimulated enterprise potential at local level and the LEOs will continue and, indeed, enhance these services.
*Table 1 : Details of Jobs Created in companies Supported by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and LEO Kildare
|
- |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
IDA Ireland |
113 |
30 |
1,228 |
398 |
176 |
298 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
439 |
522 |
281 |
439 |
491 |
820 |
|
Kildare CEB/LEO |
N/A |
N/A |
169 |
106 |
133 |
217 |
|
Total |
552 |
552 |
1,678 |
943 |
800 |
1,335 |
* Table 2 : Details of Jobs Lost in companies Supported by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and LEO Kildare
|
- |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
IDA Ireland |
626 |
1,513 |
418 |
507 |
489 |
320 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
743 |
540 |
616 |
311 |
253 |
246 |
|
Kildare CEB/LEO |
N/A |
N/A |
130 |
208 |
160 |
59 |
|
Total |
1,369 |
2,053 |
1,164 |
1,026 |
902 |
625 |
* Figures in relation to jobs in Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland client companies are sourced from the Forfás Annual Employment Survey, which is an active time series and the source for the data relating to EI and IDA-supported companies, can change year-on-year. For example, companies that enter the population or have transferred agency, have the opportunity to revisit numbers for the previous year when they are completing the Survey.
Table 3 : Details of Investment in companies Supported by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and LEO Kildare
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
IDA Ireland |
€9,691,781 |
€4,981,549 |
€4,281,933 |
€1,767,566 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
€11,927,953 |
€5,701,483 |
€2,105,622 |
€1,423,661 |
|
Kildare CEB/LEO |
€133,636 |
€291,608 |
€406,750 |
€285,256 |
|
Total |
€21,753,370 |
€10,974,640 |
€6,794,305 |
€3,476,483 |
63. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider making funding available for the purchase of a site or sites in the south east area, particularly County Carlow, for the procurement of an advance factory in view of the high level of unemployment in this area. [23979/14]
View answerUnder the Industrial Development Acts, the management of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio, including the provision of buildings for client companies, is a day to day operational matter for the Agency.
In order to boost regional development and win new business, IDA Ireland proposes to build advanced manufacturing facilities in both Waterford and Athlone.
In the current economic climate coupled with the limited availability of funding for all capital projects, investment must be targeted to potential investment wins and associated job creation opportunities.
IDA Ireland has informed me that although there are no plans at present to include County Carlow in this particular property initiative, which was announced in January this year, the Agency will continue to assess the requirements in other regional locations on an ongoing basis.
64. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to allow college students on their summer holidays to apply for jobseeker's allowance or another social welfare payment, as they are finding it difficult to secure work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23963/14]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides that a person must satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work in order to be entitled to jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance. Any person who fails to satisfy these conditions is not entitled to a jobseeker’s payment.
A student undergoing a full-time course of study, instruction or training is disqualified for receiving jobseekers' allowance or benefit. This disqualification also extends to the holiday periods, including the summer holidays. The disqualification for receipt of jobseeker’s benefit or allowance does not apply in the case of mature students during the period between two academic years. During this period a mature student can apply for jobseeker’s benefit or allowance, subject to satisfying the standard qualifying conditions, including that of being available for full-time work. There are no plans to change these aspects of the jobseeker’s schemes.
65. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidity allowance payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the person is entitled to enter the application; and, if so, its present status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23985/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an invalidity pension appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 1 May 2014. 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 19 May 2014 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
66. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of public service employees that have been forced out of employment at age 65, from 1 January 2014 to date, who do not have a contributory pension entitlement until age 66; and if any of these persons have been adversely effected by the PRSI band changes. [23988/14]
View answerAt the outset, the Deputy may wish to note that the terms and conditions of employment of civil and public servants, including the age at which they may be required to retire, and the public service pension they may qualify for, are the responsibility of my colleague, Mr Brendan Howlin, T.D. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the standardising of State pension age for all at 66 years and the cessation of State pension transition. The State pension age will increase to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
I am informed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the specific compulsory retirement age and minimum pension age provisions which affect an individual public servant will reflect his or her particular employment sector and time of original recruitment. Public servants who must retire at age 65 can draw their public service pension at age 65. The State pension changes have no impact on such persons where they are in the modified social insurance category.
Where alternatively they are in the full social insurance category their public service pensions (and contributions) are, as with many occupational schemes, integrated (or co-ordinated) with social welfare benefits. This means the occupational pension paid is based on the assumption that the pensioner also receives the State pension. The State pension (contributory) entitlement is calculated with reference to the complete PRSI record, including contributions made while working in the public and private sectors, and it would not be possible for my Department to state how many, if any, such retirees have been impacted by changes to the State pension (contributory).
In the case of retirements of fully insured public servants at age 65, a discretionary supplementary pension may be payable under the rules of the public service scheme to bridge the gap until State Pension commencement at age 66 years. This supplementary pension is only payable where the individual, through no fault of his own or her own, does not qualify for social welfare benefit or qualifies at less than the maximum personal rate.
It is therefore necessary to claim the available social welfare benefits in order to receive a supplementary pension. This situation is not new and already applies to public servants with a retirement age below 65 years.
67. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on her Department's review of the free travel scheme; her proposals to alter the current scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24002/14]
View answer71. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the review of free travel, which her Department is currently undertaking, if the intention of the review is to restrict the free travel arrangement currently in place; and when a decision is likely. [24040/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 71 together.
The current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by almost 90 private transport operators. There are currently over 780,000 people in receipt of free travel.
Funding for the free travel scheme was capped by the previous Government as outlined in the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014. During this period it has not been possible to accept additional routes or providers within the scheme.
Given the increasing number of recipients and the funding pressures, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and I established a working group with representatives from the two Departments, as well as the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the National Transport Authority to review the free travel scheme. The purpose of this review is to examine and report on the current operation and future development of the free travel scheme. The work of this group is expected to conclude shortly.
I will examine the report of the working group as soon as it is available. I appreciate the importance of the scheme and the value it provides to the hundreds of thousands of mostly elderly people who use it.
68. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently examine family income supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24015/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 08th April 2014. 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 01st May 2014 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
69. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [24022/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 January 2014. 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 15 May 2014 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 21 May 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.
