Written Answers Nos. 33-50
33. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's role in awarding a contract to a company (details supplied) to carry out a two-year investigation into the safety of hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16288/15]
View answerAs part of its statutory remit, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides, when requested by a Minister of the Government, information or advice or makes recommendations for the purposes of environmental protection to any Minister on any matter relating to his functions or responsibilities. The former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Pat Rabbitte, requested such advice from the EPA with respect to the potential environmental impacts from unconventional gas exploration and exploitation.
Pursuant to this request the EPA established a Steering Group to determine the scope of the research to be undertaken. Membership of this Committee includes representatives from amongst others, the EPA, my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The draft terms of reference drawn up by this Committee for the research programme were subsequently the subject of a public consultation process. Key among the responses received was a request that human health be included in the scope of the research project. This request was been accepted and a member from the Health Services Executive has joined the Steering Group.
The contract was awarded following a robust evaluation process in full compliance with procurement guidelines. The contract award procedure chosen for this competition was by open procedure. Six tenders were received. The Evaluation panel was constituted to include personnel with the capacity to make informed decisions on the tenders received. The constitution of the evaluation panel was approved by the project Steering Committee.
This research programme is a multi-agency transboundary programme of research on the potential impacts on the environment and human health from Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction projects/operations. It is co-funded by the EPA, my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. My Department is represented on the Steering Group which was responsible for the award of the contract and which is overseeing the project and my officials are engaged in the review of the work being produced by the consortium of consultants engaged to carry out the research programme.
34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he or his Department have carried out any research into the cost-benefit analysis of using waste-to-energy facilities as part of our future energy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16281/15]
View answerIreland’s energy policies recognise the importance of waste as an energy resource and both the Alternative Energy Requirement and Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff schemes support electricity generated from anaerobic digestion, landfill gas and the biodegradable element of municipal solid waste. The process of identifying the renewable energy technologies to be supported considered the cost and wider environmental benefits that could be delivered by utilising waste as an energy resource. These are now established technologies and are making a contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy targets.
Ireland is regarded as having a stable and favourable investment environment for renewable energy production and the existing feed-in tariff is a very cost effective tool to support renewable energy production, as outlined in a report published by the Council of European Energy Regulators in January 2015.
My Department is considering the appropriateness of a new support scheme for renewable electricity, from 2016 onwards, and will examine the available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of support required. Any new scheme would be subject to State Aid clearance. The initial public consultation will commence in the coming weeks.
Waste materials can also be used in the production of biofuels to displace fossil fuels in the transport sector. Provisional figures for 2014 indicate that almost 59% of the biofuel placed on the market in Ireland, through the Biofuels Obligation Scheme, was produced from waste materials and residues such as used cooking oil and tallow.
In terms of further developing waste as an energy resource, the draft Bioenergy Plan recommends that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government would endeavour to optimise the availability of waste for energy and that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would continue its support for innovative energy uses for animal by-products.
35. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs that were created in County Limerick between 2011 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16369/15]
View answer36. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs that were created in County Limerick between 2008 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16371/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2014. Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 Mid-West region includes Clare, Limerick City, Limerick County and North Tipperary. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Limerick County estimates from the QNHS.
Table 1a below shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS3 Mid-West region in Q4 of each year 2008, 2011 and 2014.
Table 1b shows the three year change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS3 Mid-West region in Q4 of the years 2011 and 2014.
As Table 1a show the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question.
The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NUTS3 Mid-West region, Q4 2008, Q4 2011 and Q4 2014.
('000)
|
- |
Q4 08 |
Q4 11 |
Q 4 14 |
|
In employment |
168.5 |
154.6 |
152.8 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office. Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec.
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NUTS3 Mid-West region, Q4 2011 and Q4 2014 -Three year change.
('000)
|
Three year change to Q4 11 |
Three year change to Q4 14 |
|
|
In employment |
-13.9 |
-1.8 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office. Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec.
37. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Taoiseach the emigration figures between 2011 and 2014 in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16372/15]
View answer38. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Taoiseach the number of persons that emigrated from County Limerick between 2008 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16373/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
The Central Statistics Office publishes statistics on emigration and immigration in its annual Population and Migration Estimates release.The principal source of information for the estimation of the annual migration flows is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). It is not possible to provide estimates of emigration from Ireland at county level from this sample survey. The emigration estimates are also compiled with reference to other migration indicators such as the number of work visas issued to Irish citizens for the main countries of destination via the relevant embassies and agencies. However this data is only available at a State level and so is also unsuitable for the provision of county-based estimates.
The following table shows the estimated numbers of emigrants classified by all nationalities and Irish nationals from 2008 to 2014.
Estimated Emigrants (persons) classified by All Nationalities and Irish Nationals, 2008- 2014 1
|
Year ending April |
All Nationalities2 |
Irish |
|
2008 |
49,200 |
13,100 |
|
2009 |
72,000 |
19,200 |
|
2010 |
69,200 |
28,900 |
|
2011 |
80,600 |
42,000 |
|
2012 |
87,100 |
46,500 |
|
2013 |
89,000 |
50,900 |
|
2014 |
81,900 |
40,700 |
1 2012, 2013 and 2014 are preliminary and are subject to revision following publication of Census 2016
2 All Nationalities includes Irish
Source: CSO Population and Migration Estimates.
39. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Taoiseach the current live register figures for Ferrybank in County Waterford; and the live register figures for January 2011, January 2012, January 2013, January 2014 and January 2015 for the same place. [16707/15]
View answerThe Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection. Figures are published for each county and local social welfare office. The local office for Ferrybank is Waterford City.
The most recent Live Register figures available are for March 2015. There were 9,551 people signing on in Waterford City, on the last Friday of March 2015. The table contains the numbers signing on in Waterford City, on the last Friday of each January from 2011 to 2015. It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.
Persons on the Live Register in Waterford City, January 2011 - January 2015
|
Total persons |
Jan 2011 |
Jan 2012 |
Jan 2013 |
Jan 2014 |
Jan 2015 |
|
Waterford City |
11,793 |
12,193 |
11,968 |
11,246 |
9,695 |
Source: CSO Live Register.
40. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office provided all information required to EUROSTAT in respect of the classification of Government bodies, including Irish Water, in respect of the general Government sector, in relation to the way these bodies will be reflected in the excessive deficit procedure statement that is expected to be announced by EUROSTAT at the end of October 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16696/15]
View answerThe classification of Government Bodies is an on-going process. The CSO published the Register of Public Sector Bodies (including General Government Bodies) in Ireland in respect of 2014 on 1st April 2015. This register is compiled by the CSO and not all classification decisions are referred to Eurostat - this process is generally reserved for cases which are particularly complex, are the subject of new or changed guidance, or are material to deficit and debt measures. The register as published on April 1st shows Irish Water as having been provisionally classified to the government sector. This was in accordance with an approach agreed between CSO and Eurostat during the 2014 EDP dialogue visit, as a prudential measure, in the event that a final classification decision on Irish Water had not been reached by the time of the March EDP notification. This provisional classification was reflected in the EDP notification sent to Eurostat at the end of March and in the government finance statistics published by the CSO on Monday 20th April.
An initial classification proposal on Irish Water along with supporting documentation, as required, has been submitted by the CSO to Eurostat. In the submission to Eurostat, Irish Water is forecast to function as a market, publicly-controlled institutional unit, to be classified outside the General Government Sector in the non-financial corporations sector based on the current business plan and financial forecasts. The CSO and Eurostat are now engaging in a process of clarifications which may include the provision of additional material to Eurostat if required. The final classification decision will be made by Eurostat. The classification decision will be reviewed in later periods as actual results become available.
The Register of Public Bodies will be updated by the CSO in October 2015 to reflect any changes in classification of public bodies which may have been decided upon between the March and October EDP notifications.
41. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16529/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23 February 2015. 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 been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16 March 2015 and the case will now 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.
42. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16530/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded a disability allowance payment with effect from 12 November 2014. First payment will be on 13 May 2015 and any arrears due will follow shortly.
43. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the proposed cuts to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and the devastating impact cuts to this important localised resource will have on those who are in the depths of financial difficulty and avail of its services. [16619/15]
View answer65. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to revise the structure of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16349/15]
View answer96. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the Citizens Information Board has decided to make changes to the structures of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, which look set to increase the overall cost of providing the service for the taxpayer; the consequences of these changes on persons who use this service in their local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16621/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 65 and 96 together.
At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputies that the Government is totally committed to maintaining and strengthening MABS and its local delivery of services. While work is underway exploring how to optimise resources and governance arrangements to the greatest extent possible, I can also assure the Deputies that there will be no diminution of locally-provided services to the public, no closure of service locations, and no staff redundancies. In fact, the aim of this exploration is to ensure that any efficiencies and savings achieved in governance arrangements can be used to expand and enhance local service delivery.
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for providing information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through a network of delivery partners which includes 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) and 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS). In 2015 the CIB has been allocated a budget of €46m of which some €17.9 million is allocated to the MABS network of companies.
There are over 600 permanent staff, approximately 200 scheme workers and an estimated 2,000 volunteers working for the 93 independent companies in the network (51 MABS and 42 CISs). Each of these companies has a separate voluntary Board of Management, comprising an average of over 9 members per Board resulting in a governance structure of over 800 people. The maintenance of such an unwieldy company and Board structure is no longer sustainable from an organisational or governance perspective and the resource effort required could otherwise be directed towards improved service delivery to citizens. Therefore, as part of the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2012-2015, CIB commissioned a feasibility study to identify options for dealing with this issue through greater organisational consolidation and/or integration of its delivery partners. This work was carried out by a company called Pathfinder and overseen by a Steering Group, comprising national representatives from MABS staff and Boards, Citizens Information Services staff and Boards, and staff from the Citizens Information Board. The work included extensive and comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders, including representatives of CIB's delivery partner services (MABS and CIS) at local level. It identified a number of options for consideration. Following on from this, the Board of CIB agreed to the establishment of a Design Group tasked with outlining and recommending possible new structural models. The Design Group includes members of the voluntary boards and staff of a number of the MABS and CIS services, together with representation from CIB management. Submissions were sought by CIB from the representatives of Boards and staff of MABS and CIS, to inform the deliberations of the Design Group.
The Design Group recently furnished a progress report on its deliberations to the CIB executive, which in turn communicated an update to its network of service delivery partners. The Design Group has identified, as an option for consideration by the Board of CIB in due course, that the 51 Boards of MABS companies and the 42 Boards of CIS companies could be consolidated across six (6) regions, resulting in six (6) independent MABS companies and Boards, and six (6) independent CIS companies and Boards, all reporting to the board of CIB. However, it is important to note that any such consolidation would be at the Board level only. All existing MABS offices would remain unaffected. Local service delivery and personnel would not be impacted and would continue as before. The proposed option could provide a structure to ensure that advice and input in relation to local issues continues and for networking to maintain local connections. It may be possible to take any savings that arise and use them for enhancing local service delivery or indeed offering additional services. It is also important to note that neither this option nor any alternative has yet been considered by the Board of CIB. Accordingly, no decisions have been made by the Board and no proposal has been formally made by it to my Department for consideration. It is expected that the Design Group’s proposed option, when further developed, will be formally submitted to the Board of CIB for its consideration.
44. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16186/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
45. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied). [16231/15]
View answerThe guidelines for the Community Employment (CE) scheme provide that lifetime participation on CE for persons under 55 years of age is limited to 3 years (156 weeks). The person concerned commenced a CE scheme under the Part Time Integration (PTI) option on 28 May 2012. The objective of the PTI Option is to help ensure that participants find a job or enter full-time training/education, normally after one year on CE. Under this option, and as he is under 55 years of age, his participation on CE is limited to three years; this is due to expire on 22 May 2015.
The project Sponsor sought and was granted an extension for the person concerned on two occasions since he commenced CE in 2012. A request for a further one year extension to his term on the scheme was submitted by the project sponsor on 24 January 2015. Unfortunately this cannot be granted as the person concerned will have reached the maximum time limit allowable on the scheme.
46. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16232/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 20 February 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
47. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16233/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 20 March 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
48. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a living alone allowance application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16236/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded living alone allowance payment with effect from 19 November 2014. First payment was on 18 March 2015 and any arrears due will follow shortly.
49. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16237/15]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
A claim for IP was received from the person concerned on 9 February, 2015. In order to establish medical suitability two medical report forms for completion issued to the person concerned on 12 February, 2015. As the completed medical report forms were not returned to the Department within the given time frame, despite the issue of reminders, the claim was withdrawn as it was assumed that the person in question did not intend to proceed with it.
It is open to the person concerned to make a new application for IP at any time.
50. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [16238/15]
View answerThe application for carer’s allowance was awarded on 22nd April 2015. Any arrears of allowance due from 12th February 2015 to 8th April 2015 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on 22nd April 2015. The department would like to offer condolences to the family of the deceased.
