Written Answers Nos. 176 - 199
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to monitor the time taken to process applications for various social protection payments; if she has identified any particular issues in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40588/15]
View answerThe Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. Each scheme area is continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure customers are responded to and claims are processed as quickly as possible. In this regard, the Department has had major success in clearing backlogs especially in the disability related schemes. It is acknowledged that carers allowance applicants have been experiencing longer processing times over recent months, due in the main to an increased volume of claims. To address this, the Department has assigned additional resources to ensure that the processing time in carers allowance claims is reduced over the remainder of 2015.
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she will improve the waiting times of appeals against decisions regarding social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40589/15]
View answerThe average appeal processing time for 2014 and to date in 2015 broken down by all social welfare scheme types as outlined in the tables.
Appeal processing times generally peaked in 2011 when the overall average time for an oral hearing was 52.5 weeks and 25.1 weeks for a summary decision. In 2014 average appeal processing times for an oral hearing had almost halved to 28.6 weeks and the average time taken to process appeals involving summary decisions had also significantly reduced to 21.1 weeks. This downward trend in overall appeal processing times has continued to date in 2015 to 25.9 weeks for an oral hearing and 18.3 weeks for a summary decision. Appeal processing times are closely monitored on an ongoing basis.
The reduction in processing times reflects the significant resources which have been invested in the Social Welfare Appeals Office over the last number of years.
In addition the Department has undertaken a process of reform in many of its scheme areas aimed at reducing the time taken to respond to requests for submissions in relation to appeals. Appeal processing times are kept under continual review in the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
In addition to the improvement in processing times, these measures have also led to a significant reduction in the number of appeals on hand from 20,414 at 1 January 2013 to 9,454 at 9 November 2015.
Appeal processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period including time spent awaiting any clarification from the appellant, time in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. The system is flexible and accessible and allows multiple reviews and submissions of fresh evidence at all stages. For logistical reasons the process takes longer when an oral hearing is required.
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.
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 31/12/14
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
17.1 |
- |
|
Blind Pension |
20.5 |
24.9 |
|
Carers Allowance |
30.1 |
34.4 |
|
Carers Benefit |
22.9 |
23.1 |
|
Child Benefit |
23.8 |
32.9 |
|
Disability Allowance |
20.8 |
26.7 |
|
Illness Benefit |
29.5 |
34.8 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
22.6 |
29.1 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
- |
64.7 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
41.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
23.2 |
28.3 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
25.6 |
31.9 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
26.0 |
32.6 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
25.9 |
31.2 |
|
Liable Relatives |
21.5 |
33.2 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
24.4 |
33.5 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
22.4 |
44.7 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
48.5 |
48.5 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.2 |
41.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Cont) |
20.3 |
29.4 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
27.0 |
35.1 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
33.6 |
33.7 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.6 |
30.6 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
- |
53.9 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
21.5 |
59.6 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
25.9 |
24.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-con) |
19.7 |
30.3 |
|
Pre Retirement Allowance |
17.3 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
18.1 |
27.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16.2 |
21.1 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
12.1 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
16.7 |
21.1 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
20.8 |
- |
|
Respite Care Grant |
24.9 |
27.1 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
45.0 |
62.3 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
14.4 |
22.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
20.2 |
32.5 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con) |
24.7 |
24.6 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
22.2 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
21.1 |
28.6 |
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/10/2015
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Blind Pension |
21.1 |
35.2 |
|
Carers Allowance |
20.9 |
26.9 |
|
Carers Benefit |
20.0 |
22.4 |
|
Child Benefit |
24.9 |
35.5 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15.9 |
21.6 |
|
Illness Benefit |
25.9 |
33.6 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
27.0 |
43.4 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
21.2 |
28.1 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
19.7 |
24.9 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
16.2 |
|
Farm Assist |
19.3 |
29.7 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
65.7 |
26.0 |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
- |
22.6 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
20.3 |
27.3 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
25.8 |
28.3 |
|
Liable Relatives |
22.5 |
31.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
20.6 |
17.5 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
23.5 |
34.8 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.9 |
48.2 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
20.0 |
29.7 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
80.1 |
53.4 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
21.6 |
38.8 |
|
Disablement Pension |
23.8 |
33.2 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
37.7 |
51.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
18.6 |
27.8 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.9 |
31.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
16.3 |
26.2 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
15.6 |
21.7 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
- |
46.1 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
11.4 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
10.7 |
- |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
12.7 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
14.8 |
21.9 |
|
Pre Retirement Allowance |
15.0 |
- |
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.9 |
- |
|
Respite Care Grant |
20.6 |
25.3 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
41.1 |
67.6 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
13.2 |
24.2 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
29.9 |
25.9 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
23.7 |
38.3 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
20.4 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
18.3 |
25.9 |
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a basic supplementary social protection payment; the extent to which the numbers dependent on such payments have fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40590/15]
View answer190. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a sufficient number of community welfare officers are in place to deal with their increased workload in recent years; if vacancies arising from retirement or long-term illness are being filled to ensure that persons depending on these services are able to avail of them in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter [40729/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 190 together.
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides a "safety net" within the overall social welfare system and provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. The Government has provided over €70 million for basic SWA in 2015. The SWA scheme is demand led and Government continues to ensure that the necessary funding for the scheme is available.
There has been a substantial reduction in the number of claims and expenditure on SWA schemes since 2010, including weekly basic SWA as set out in the tabular statement. The reduction in the number of recipients can be attributed to improved processing times in determining entitlement to weekly social welfare schemes, the overall reduction in the Live Register and the general improvement in the economy.
The Department continues to examine the operation of all its services, including the administration of the Community Welfare Service (CWS), in the context of the efficient delivery of services nationally. Where the CWS has been restructured, alternative arrangements have been put in place to ensure that customers are provided with ongoing access to the supports provided by the Department. In the event that a customer has difficulty attending a clinic, for example due to illness, there is the facility to phone the CWS and, if required, a visit to the client’s residence may be arranged.
The Department has developed a comprehensive Workforce Plan, in which the staffing needs for all business areas are reviewed regularly, including those administering SWA. As part of this process, account is taken of workloads, management priorities, competing demands arising and the capacity to redeploy staff within areas, in order to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
Number of recipients of Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Expenditure from 2010 to 2015.
|
Year |
Recipients |
Expenditure (€000) |
|
2010 |
37,499 |
206,570 |
|
2011 |
34,597 |
174,393 |
|
2012 |
32,358 |
180,291 |
|
2013 |
23,127 |
108,315 |
|
2014 |
19,798 |
85,347 |
|
2015 (end October) |
16,455* |
70,200** |
*Figures for end October 2015 do not include persons in receipt of Direct Provision Allowance (representing 2,850 cases).
**2015 Revised Estimates.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons whose application for dental benefit have been approved in each of the past five years to 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40591/15]
View answerThe number of people who received Dental Benefit over the past five years is set out in the table:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2010 |
388,938 |
|
2011 |
272,865 |
|
2012 |
270,602 |
|
2013 |
298,658 |
|
2014 |
310,350 |
|
2015 (to date) |
290,844 |
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons whose application for ophthalmic benefit have been approved in each of the past five years to 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40592/15]
View answerThe number of people who received optical benefit over the past five years is set out in the table:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2010 |
163,378 |
|
2011 |
135,593 |
|
2012 |
139,805 |
|
2013 |
141,972 |
|
2014 |
149,026 |
|
2015 (to date) |
147,497 |
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to focus on persons who are long-term unemployed, with a view to identifying the extent to which an ongoing reduction in numbers may be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40593/15]
View answerThe Government’s primary strategy to reduce long-term unemployment is through policies to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth. This strategy has been succeeding; in the year up to Q2 2015 the annual increase in employment was 57,100 (+3.0%).
The long-term unemployment rate peaked at 9.5% in Q1 2012 before falling to 5.5% in Q2 2015. At the latter date, the long-term unemployed accounted for 56.2% of all those unemployed, down from almost 65% in early 2012.
Despite these improvements, the level of long-term unemployment, and in particular the situation of those who are very long-term unemployed (more than two years), continue to be of concern. The Pathways to Work Strategy therefore provides for enhanced engagement services and additional activation measures to jobseekers while the recovery takes hold. In addition to ongoing reforms, the 2015 iteration of the strategy prioritises additional measures to enhance engagement with the long-term unemployed. This includes a structured process of engagement with long-term unemployed people being referred to the activation process (Group Engagement followed by regular one-to-one case officer contact). Second, a new employment services model for the long-term unemployed, JobPath began in the second half of 2015. It is a payment by results contract model with third party providers of employment services that will provide additional capacity in order to engage more systematically with long-term unemployed jobseekers.
In support of these enhanced engagement processes, 57,000 FET places will continue to be reserved for the long-term unemployed in 2015. A minimum of 16,000 places for the long-term unemployed will also be provided through key public employment programmes. This includes an expansion of the JobsPlus initiative, an employment subsidy that incentivises employers to recruit the long-term unemployed.
The next Pathways to Work strategy is being drafted for the period 2016-2020. Although not yet finalised, a core focus of this strategy will be continued prioritisation of those long-term unemployed.
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to be in a position to avail of European Union support to alleviate youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40594/15]
View answerThe Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan for Ireland, submitted to the EU, provided for over 28,000 programme opportunities for unemployed young people in 2014 and the same in 2015. This figure excludes some 24,000 places provided for young people through PLC courses and apprenticeships. These PLC and apprenticeship places, together with the wide range of vocational third-level courses provided for the young, although not reserved for unemployed jobseekers, nevertheless contribute to the spirit of the guarantee. The Plan also details how the Youth Guarantee is to be funded through the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and European Social Fund (ESF).
The YEI is being managed as part of Ireland’s relationship with the ESF under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020, for which the Irish Managing Authority is the Department of Education and Skills.
I am informed that he total amount of YEI funding for which Ireland is applying in relation to the years 2014-2018 is €68,145,419 in respect of overall relevant programme expenditure of €204,436,537. It is anticipated that the YEI funding will be matched by a similar amount of ESF funding, with the balance coming from matching domestic expenditure. In the normal course of events, this amount of YEI funding will be drawn down as final claims are made in respect of these years. However, I understand that an advance payment of €21,465,806.99 was made to Ireland under the YEI earlier this year.
Youth unemployment has fallen from 70,000 (an unemployment rate of 31.1%) in July 2012 to 36,800 (19.7%) in October 2015.
183. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a social protection benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow was recently cut. [40619/15]
View answerThe client applied for One Parent Family Payment (OFP) on 7th May 2015 and subsequently applied for a Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance on 11th May 2015. The OFP payment was awarded on 13th May 2015 and backdated to the date of application with the first payment issuing on 18th May 2015, subsequently no Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance was awarded.
184. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath to ensure the person is granted a top-up invalidity pension, given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40632/15]
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.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 28 October 2015. The person concerned was ineligible for IP under national legislation on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Her claim was then considered under EU Regulations and the person in question does not have an entitlement to IP as she has insufficient contributions paid or credited in Ireland. She was notified on the 06 November 2015 of the decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Disability allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
The person concerned made an application for DA. The application was refused on 12 June 2015 as the person’s means exceeded the statutory limit for the scheme. If the circumstances of the person concerned have changed, it is open to her to make a new application for DA and a decision on her eligibility will be made as soon as possible.
185. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40642/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 7 May 2015.
To qualify, the applicant must satisfy a means test and be providing full-time care and attention to a person requiring full-time care and attention.
Where an applicant can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer (DO) that adequate provision has been made for the care of the person requiring care, then the applicant can engage in employment, self-employment or educational training outside the home for no more than 15 hours per week and still be considered to be providing full-time care and attention.
This application was refused by a DO on the grounds that they are not providing full-time care and attention as they are working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.
The person concerned was notified on 25 September 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned has requested a review.
Once the review is completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
186. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress of the review of JobBridge; and when it is anticipated that the review will be published and considered by her. [40645/15]
View answerJobBridge, The National Internship Scheme, was introduced in July 2011 in response to the unprecedented collapse in the economy - particularly the sharp increase in unemployment.
The primary aim of the scheme is to give unemployed people the opportunity to secure work experience and prove their competence to prospective employers. To date, JobBridge has attracted the voluntary participation of over 44,000 interns and encouraged over 18,000 Host Organisations to offer them a wide range of work experience opportunities. There are currently over 4,800 people on internships.
A commitment was given in Pathways to Work 2015 to develop and implement a robust evaluation programme to assess the impact of Pathways to Work initiatives and identify potential areas for future attention. This includes an evaluation of the JobBridge scheme.
The aim of the review to assess the suitability, relevance and effectiveness of the JobBridge internship programme to date.
The tender evaluation process has just been completed. The Department has notified the preferred tenderer and, in accordance with procurement guidelines, is now observing the mandatory 14-day standstill period before a contract can be formally awarded.
It is anticipated that the project will formally commence on or about 24 November 2015. It will comprise:
- A comprehensive Qualitative Assessment of Host Organisation and participant perspectives on the quality and future of JobBridge, including one-to-one Case Studies
- A robust Assessment of deadweight and displacement, and
- a detailed Counterfactual Impact Evaluation
It is expected that the evaluation will be completed and a final report published in the first half of 2016. The results will provide an evidential basis upon which to consider how the scheme might best be improved.
187. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for farm assist granted and refused from 1 January 2015 to date, by county and in tabular form; the average waiting time for decisions on appeal; the number on appeal referred for independent oral appeal; and the percentage of these approved and refused. [40655/15]
View answer191. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for family income supplement granted and refused; the average waiting time for decisions on appeal; the number on appeal referred for independent oral appeal; and the percentages of these approved and refused, by county and in tabular form, from 1 January 2015 to date. [40735/15]
View answer192. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the domiciliary care allowance granted and refused; the average waiting time for decisions on appeal; the number on appeal referred for independent oral appeal; and the percentages of these approved and refused by county, from 1 January 2015 to date, in tabular form. [40736/15]
View answer193. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for disability allowance granted and refused; the average waiting time for decisions on appeal; the number on appeal referred for independent oral appeal; and the percentages of these approved and refused, by county from 1 January 2015 to date, in tabular form. [40737/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 191 to 193, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy (where available) is detailed in the tabular statements.
Claims Processing Statistics
1 January 2015 – 31 October 2015
|
Scheme |
Claims Awarded |
Claims Rejected |
Average time to Award (Weeks) |
|
Farm Assist* |
N/a |
N/a |
N/a |
|
Family Income Supplement (New Claims) |
18,195 |
7,531 |
4 |
|
Family Income Supplement (Renewals) |
28,209 |
9,131 |
N/a |
|
Domiciliary Care allowance |
3,448 |
1,773 |
14 |
|
Disability Allowance |
13,194 |
13,016 |
11 |
¥ Statistics in relation to claim processing are not segregated on a County basis.
* Farm Assist is an administrative scheme dependent on the customer satisfying the Jobseeker’s Allowance eligibility criteria in the first instance therefore there is no measurable claim processing statistics available of this scheme.
Appeals Statistics
1 January 2015 – 31 October 2015
|
- |
- |
Independent Oral Appeals |
||
|
Scheme |
Average time for Appeal Decision |
Number Referred |
Percentage Approved |
Percentage Refused |
|
Family Income Supplement |
19.3 |
35 |
51.4 % |
48.6 % |
|
Domiciliary Care allowance |
20.5 |
260 |
76.2% |
23.8 % |
|
Disability Allowance |
19.6 |
1,715 |
73.3 % |
26.7 % |
|
Farm Assist |
31.2 |
53 |
50.9 % |
49.1 % |
¥ Statistics in relation to appeals are not segregated on a County basis.
188. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if both parents of a child must apply for child benefit payments to receive them or any other form of social protection assistance related to the child; and if changes are planned to strengthen the duty of care of both parents to the welfare of the child. [40657/15]
View answerThere is no requirement for both parents to apply for child benefit or for any other child related payment.
According to Irish legislation the person with whom a child ordinarily resides is considered the qualified person to claim child benefit. Where a child is residing with both parents, the mother is the qualified person to claim child benefit. There are no plans to amend the current legislation.
189. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review and expedite a request by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, which was made in August 2015. [40689/15]
View answerThis application for a career break is being reviewed in accordance with normal procedures.
194. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding insurance claimants against Setanta Insurance Company; when payments will be made to these claims; the reason for the delay; the steps he is taking to expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40672/15]
View answerIn my role as Minister for Finance, I have responsibility for policy and legislation governing financial services, including regulation. However, specific arrangements for payments under the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland Agreements with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport are not under my remit. Similarly, while I have responsibility for the legislative framework, administration of payments from the ICF is a matter for the Accountant of the Courts of Justice who is independent in this role.
The liquidation of an insurance company is a legally complex and time consuming process. Setanta is a Maltese incorporated company and the Setanta liquidation is being carried out under Maltese law.
Progress in the liquidation of Setanta has been awaiting the outcome of the High Court case of The Law Society of Ireland versus The Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland. On 4th September 2015, the High Court held that the MIBI is liable in respect of claims against the policy holders of Setanta. This decision was appealed by the MIBI and a temporary stay was put on that Order. My understanding is that this stay is now lifted. It would be a matter for the Setanta Liquidator and the MIBI to consider the implications of this decision on arrangements to progress claims.
The Office of Accountant of the Courts of Justice has advised my officials that it is of the view that a small number of Setanta claims would not fall to be paid by the MIBI and may be due for payment from the Insurance Compensation Fund. The Accountant states that he has been engaging with his legal advisors and the Setanta liquidator to identify these claims and that his objective is to bring to them before the High Court at the first opportunity.
195. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the current qualifying criteria for access to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme for persons with disabilities; if he has given consideration to provide for additionality to the scheme to allow for applicants with other conditions to access it; his views on the huge benefit that access to the scheme would provide to those currently excluded from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40053/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, a fuel grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax.
To qualify for the Scheme, an applicant must have a permanent and severe physical disability within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations (S.I. 353 of 1994) and satisfy one of the six medical criteria outlined in the Regulations. These are that a person must:
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
- be without both hands or without both arms;
- be without one or both legs;
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
The Scheme represents a significant tax expenditure. Between the Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT foregone, and the repayment of excise on fuel used by members of the Scheme, the Scheme represented a cost of €48.6 million to the Exchequer in 2014. This figure does not include the revenue foregone to the Local Government Fund in the respect of the relief from Motor Tax provided to members of the Scheme. In terms of the numbers of claims to the Scheme in 2014, there were 4,936 claims for Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT relief, and 12,338 claims in respect of the repayment of excise on the fuel element of the Scheme.
I recognise the important role that the Scheme plays in expanding the mobility of citizens with disabilities, and I have managed to maintain the relief at current levels throughout the crisis despite the requirement for significant fiscal consolidation.
I frequently receive correspondence from applicants who do not meet the qualifying criteria but feel that they could benefit from the Scheme. While I am sympathetic to those who do not qualify for Scheme, I cannot at this time, in the still challenging fiscal environment and given the scale and scope of the Scheme, expand the medical criteria beyond the six currently provided for in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
196. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the procedures in place to ensure that those who are not tax resident here do not breach the conditions of non-residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40072/15]
View answerI assume that the Deputy's Question relates to individuals who have a connection with this country but do not meet the tests of tax residence.
An individual's residence status for Irish tax purposes is determined by the number of days he or she is present in the State during the year. Section 819 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 prescribes two alternative tests for determining an individual's residence for tax purposes for any year. An individual is resident if he or she is present in the State either:-
1. for 183 days or more in that year (the 'current year' test); or
2. for 280 days or more days in that year and the preceding year taken together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that residence status is a feature of their risk-based compliance programmes. The procedures adopted in validating non-residence in any given instance are a matter for Revenue but I am advised that those procedures will have regard, inter alia, for the circumstances of the particular case and include a range of tests and intelligence-based verifications.
197. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the commencement of the Consultation Paper 88 regulation. [40119/15]
View answerThe Government recognises the distinct and important role that credit unions play in Irish society and the financial sector and is committed, with the Central Bank, to achieving our vision of financially strong, well governed credit unions providing services to current and future members.
I have met with the three main credit union representative bodies and discussed with them issues of concern surrounding the perceived impact of implementing the regulations. While I am very aware of concerns raised by the credit union sector in relation to the proposed regulations, the implementation of regulations is a matter for the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank, in her role as independent regulator for credit unions. However, I have asked the Registrar of Credit Unions to consider the views of the credit union movement as regards the draft regulations and their implementation and come back to me before I commence the remaining sections of the Credit Union and Co-operation with overseas Regulators Act 2012 on 31 December 2015, in line with the introduction of the regulations. These sections of the 2012 Act, when commenced, will replace, amend or supplement existing sections of the Credit Union Act 1997.
The purpose of the International Credit Union Regulators' Network (ICURN) review was to assess the performance of the Central Bank's performance of its regulatory functions in relation to credit unions. ICURN made a number of recommendations for refinements. I am aware of the suggestion made in the ICURN report that a review to evaluate the implementation of the original recommendations of the Commission on Credit Unions could be undertaken by the Credit Union Advisory Committee and am currently considering this suggestion.
198. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the status of negotiations with the European Union on Ireland's corporation tax rate and the proposed centre for competition and consumer policy of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40135/15]
View answerCorporate tax rates are a matter of national sovereignty and Ireland's 12.5% corporate tax rate is non-negotiable. Therefore, there are no negotiations with the European Union on Ireland's Corporation Tax rate.
I can inform the Deputy that the European Commission are planning to launch proposals in 2016 for a common corporate tax base. This proposal however would not impact Ireland's corporate tax rate. While we have yet to see the exact details of the proposal, and won't see them for some months, Ireland will engage constructively in these matters, as we always do, while holding a firm line that matters of direct taxation remain a member state competence and that unanimity in tax matters is maintained.
I am not aware of any proposals for the organisation which the Deputy refers to. Any such organisation would not be of any relevance to Ireland's corporate tax rate.
199. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the cost and moneys received from the European Union in each year since 2011; the likely net cost or benefit to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40136/15]
View answer220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the contribution of Ireland to the European Union budget in each of the years 2012 to 2015 and the projected contribution in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40713/15]
View answer221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of European Union funding received by Ireland in each of the years 2012 to 2015 and the projected contribution in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40714/15]
View answer222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance when Ireland will become a net financial contributor to the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40715/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 220 to 222, inclusive, together.
EU Budget payments and public sector receipt data are published annually by the Department of Finance in the Budget Statistics bulletin. The latest edition from October 2015 contains these data up to 2014. The public sector receipt measure captures funds under 'shared management' between national and EU authorities. In addition, the EU also pays some additional receipts directly to private beneficiaries under 'centralised direct management', most notably under the EU research funding programme. Under this wider measure, Ireland became a net contributor to the EU budget in 2014, the first time since accession in 1973. These data are contained in the table below. Final receipts figures for 2015 will not available until Quarter 3 2016.
Separately, member states contributions to the EU Budget are based upon a complex formula which includes Traditional Own Resources (customs duties), a VAT-based payment and a residual balancing component paid in accordance with each Member State's (MS) share of EU Gross National Income (GNI). Ireland's projected contribution estimates for 2015 and 2016 are also set out in the tables below. However, it should be noted these estimates will be subject to change arising from expected EU legislative and expenditure developments including agreement of the 2016 EU budget, and a draft amending budget for 2015. These will have a knock-on impact on EU budget contributions.
Whilst Ireland's specific earmarked allocations from areas including CAP, cohesion and fisheries under the 2014 2020 Multiannual Financial Framework remain unchanged, the emergence of a number of economic and budgetary developments mean that over the 2014-2020 period, it is expected we will be an overall net contributor to the EU Budget, mainly as a consequence of our stronger-than-expected economic performance relative to the rest of Europe.
|
Year |
EU Budget Payment |
Public Sector Receipts |
Direct Management^ |
Total Receipts* |
|
- |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2011 |
1,350 |
1,950 |
80 |
2,030 |
|
2012 |
1,393 |
1,838 |
109 |
1,947 |
|
2013 |
1,726 |
1,673 |
113 |
1,786 |
|
2014 |
1,686 |
1,426 |
84 |
1,509 |
|
2015 (e) |
1,940 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
2016 (e) |
1,975 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
(e) Estimate
^ Research receipt data is as published by the EU Commission.
* Rounding may affect totals.
Sources: Department of Finance, Paying Authorities & EU Commission
