Written Answers Nos. 126-140
126. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 19 May 2016 the current status of the situation at a location (details supplied), where an unfinished shopping centre has been the subject of protracted hearings involving the council, the National Asset Management Agency and other third parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20214/16]
View answerAs I indicated in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions tabled on this matter, the management of the development concerned is primarily a matter for Kildare County Council in the first instance, and I have no function in the matter.
However, I understand from Kildare County Council that the securing of a satisfactory conclusion to the development of the site in question has been a particular focus of the Council’s efforts over the last number of years. On foot of arbitration procedures, Kildare County Council recently successfully completed an agreement with one of two site owners, relating to the provision of roads infrastructure to service the town centre site. The arbitration case relating to the second site owner remains to be heard by the Property Arbitrator, the hearing of which is not scheduled to take place until April 2017, due to the Property Arbitrator’s caseload. In parallel with these arbitration cases, the Council has also been involved in ongoing discussions with the owner of the town centre site, and his agents, with a view to advancing development of the site as early as possible.
With relevant processes underway involving NAMA and arbitration, it would be inappropriate for me as Minister to become involved or make any further comment on the matter.
127. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is within the terms of the price freeze agreed by the Government with waste companies for a company (details supplied) to demand that customers who wish to stay on their existing plan and not transfer to pay-by-weight have €199 credit in their accounts by 1 August 2016, despite those customers having already paid an annual service charge at the beginning of the year to cover all of 2016. [20242/16]
View answer129. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the actions of a waste company (details supplied) and his proposed actions to ensure that the company is honouring the agreement reached between his Department and waste companies with regard to charges; the steps he will take to ensure that this company honours the agreement that was reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20285/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 129 together.
The Government secured an agreement with all major waste collection companies to freeze charges, so that customers pay no more than they are currently paying for waste collection over the next 12 months for the same level of service.
I have also been clear that the operation of the price freeze by the industry will be closely monitored, indicating that, if there was evidence of the agreement being breached, I would look at whether further legislative measures were necessary to enforce it. In this regard, my Department met with representatives of the waste industry earlier this week and will continue to liaise with operators as necessary with regard to the consistent implementation of the agreement.
128. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide a breakdown for each of the years 2015 to 2021 of the Irish Water capital programme funding by equity and debt portions in nominal and percentage terms. [20246/16]
View answerThe following table provides details of Irish Water's capital investment programme, as presented in Irish Water's Business Plan 2014 - 2021 as well as the level of capital contribution from the State in the period to 2016.
|
Funding of Irish Water |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Totals 2014 - 2021 |
|
Capital Programme: |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Capital Investment Plan (Core Infrastructure) |
343 |
391 |
522 |
533 |
595 |
777 |
728 |
806 |
4,694 |
|
Metering |
220 |
277 |
77 |
|
|
|
|
|
574 |
|
Irish Water Programme |
28 |
13 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
43 |
|
LA Balance Sheet |
53 |
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
203 |
|
Total Capex |
644 |
831 |
601 |
533 |
595 |
777 |
728 |
806 |
5,514 |
|
Funded by |
|||||||||
|
- Capital Contribution/Equity from Government |
239 |
222 |
184 |
Equity contributions in this period [2017-2021] will be subject to budgetary decisions.
- The balance is funded by a mix of debt and income from operations, with the investment programme for the period from 2017 subject to future review by the CER, and Government funding being subject to future budgetary decisions.
Note: The capital contribution provided by Government for Irish Water in respect of 2015 was paid to Irish Water in 2014.
130. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff dedicated to managing Ireland's response to the decision of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union; the structure of this team; how they will work with teams in other Departments; who has overall responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20301/16]
View answerA senior official has been nominated to oversee my Department’s input to management of the national response to the outcome of the UK referendum on withdrawal from the European Union. That input is managed primarily through the participation of my Department in the work of both the Interdepartmental Group of senior officials which is addressing bilateral and national interests affected by a UK withdrawal, and the Senior Officials Group which supports the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs. Both the Interdepartmental Group and the Senior Officials Group are convened and chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach.
Management of the bilateral and national interests affected by a UK withdrawal is a matter of absolute priority and relevant members of staff are engaged on the issues involved on an ongoing basis. I am satisfied that the Management Board in my Department will continue to ensure, having regard to the discussions at the Interdepartmental Group of senior officials and the work of the Cabinet Committee, that appropriate arrangements on Department-wide oversight and action are in place.
131. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide, per annum, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March, 2011, in tabular form; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report and the publication date. [20345/16]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table and reflects the transfer of functions from my Department to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
|
Year Commissioned |
Consultant/Author etc. |
Name/Description of Report/Review/Study |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Amount Spent Since March 2011 |
|
2011 |
ARUP Consulting Engineers |
Study in respect of provision of fire detection and alarms systems in dwellings. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
€29,935 |
|
2011 |
Barrow Archaeological Services |
Archaeological reports on Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann is building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,210 |
|
2011 |
Building Research Establishment Ltd |
Retrofitting Code of Practice. |
Published March 2014. |
(1) €21,190 |
|
2011 |
Certification Europe Ltd. |
Compost Quality Assurance Scheme. |
Published October 2012. |
€139,142 |
|
2011 |
Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of the Homeless Strategy 2008-2013. |
Published November 2012. |
€6,000 |
|
2011 |
Housing & Sustainable Communities Ltd. |
Toolkit for Local Authorities on regeneration. |
Not intended for publication. This was a report intended to provide assistance to Local Authorities in drawing up proposals for the regeneration of their areas. |
€12,300 |
|
2011 |
Indecon |
Regulatory Impact Analysis of proposed regulations for household food waste. |
Published June 2012. |
€24,725 |
|
2011 |
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
EIS Screening Report for site at Valentia. |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann is building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€6,336 |
|
2011 |
Marine Institute |
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (1) Initial Assessment; (2) Development of a Monitoring Programme; and (3) Development of a Programme of Measures necessary to achieve Good Environmental Status in Irish Marine Waters. |
(1) Initial Assessment - the technical report was published on the Department's website in Q2 2013 and the summary report was published in Q4 2013. (2) Monitoring Programme – sent to the EU Commission in April 2015. (3) Drawing up of programme of Measures to be completed early July 2016. |
(2) €2,676,479 |
|
2011 |
Murtagh & Partners |
Review of Dublin Region Homelessness Services and Funding in 2011. |
Published October 2011. |
€27,800 |
|
2011 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
Audit reports for ISO9001:2008 in 2011 and 2012. |
Not intended for publication. |
€6,699 |
|
2011 |
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
Independent assessment on establishment of National Water Utility. |
Irish Water - Phase 1 report and appendices published January 2012. Implementation Strategy published December 2012. |
€179,584 |
|
2011 |
Pyrite Panel |
Report of the Pyrite Panel - Independent report to provide options for the Minister to deal with the pyrite problem. |
Published July 2012. |
€22,719 |
|
2011 |
RPS Group |
Provision of expertise concerning Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment techniques for the evaluation and revision of Regional Waste Management Plans. |
No formal document due for publication. The work comprises principally advice, guidance documents and technical expertise. |
€45,223 |
|
2011 |
Secretariat to the National Economic and Social Council of Ireland |
Analysis on national climate policy. |
Interim report released October 2012; final report released in February 2013. |
Nil |
|
2011 |
SKM Enviros |
Irish Recycled Plastic Waste Arisings Study. |
Published September 2011. |
€37,566 |
|
2011 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2011 Report. |
Published April 2012. |
€61,077 |
|
2011 |
White Young Green |
Annual Dust Impact Assessment Report (2011) at the Former Irish Steelworks Site, Haulbowline, Cobh, Co. Cork. |
Published March 2012. |
(3 ) See footnote |
|
2012 |
AECOM |
Cost optimal study for non-domestic buildings. |
Published March 2013. |
€53,517 |
|
2012 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. |
Published July 2013. |
€39,690 |
|
2012 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Analysis of Property Tax Options - a report to the Interdepartmental Expert Group on Property Tax. |
Published December 2012. |
€60,280 |
|
2012 |
Fehilly Timoney & Company |
Bulky Waste Reuse Best Practice - Feasibility Study. |
Published July 2013. |
€55,289 |
|
2012 |
Flynn Furney Consultants Ltd. |
Environmental Management Services re: review of CEMP at Valentia Site (Method Statement). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann is building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€3,167 |
|
2012 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management Plan (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann is building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€4,920 |
|
2012 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of leasing model. |
Date of publication to be decided. |
€1,937 |
|
2012 |
Indecon |
Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. |
Published November 2012. |
(4) €42,706 |
|
2012 |
Inter-Departmental Group |
Design of a Local Property Tax – Report of the Inter-Departmental Group. |
Published December 2012. |
Nil |
|
2012 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Evaluation of the Planning Review Report 2012. |
Published January 2013. |
€12,096 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the management by the Department of an application by Wicklow County Council for loan approval in respect of the compulsory purchase of land at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 1. |
Published March 2012. |
€19,680 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the compulsory acquisition of land by Wicklow County Council at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 2. |
Published April 2013. |
€49,200 |
|
2012 |
Munster Archaeology |
Report on archaeological investigation/survey of Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€47,289 |
|
2012 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Preparation of EIA Guidelines. |
Published March 2013. |
€7,200 |
|
2012 |
RPS Group |
Review of the Producer Responsibility Model in Ireland. |
Final report published in July 2014. |
€292,306 |
|
2012 |
RPS Group |
All Island Used Tyre Survey. |
Published March 2013. |
(5) €17,673 |
|
2012 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2012 Report. |
Published April 2013. |
€58,271 |
|
2012 |
Version 1 |
Evaluation of ICT Disaster Recovery configuration and capability. |
Not intended for publication. |
€9,363 |
|
2013 |
AP Env Econ Limited/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Ireland’s Environmental Data: Inventory, Assessment and Next Steps. |
Published April 2014. |
€35,178 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Affordability aspects of the provision of water services in Ireland and subsequent analysis. |
Published in May 2014 as Appendix 2 and Appendix 5 of the "Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Affordability Measures". |
€57,655 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC) |
Technical support for the purposes of advising Government on the proposed 2030 EU Framework for Climate and Energy Policies. |
This report was published in June 2015 as part of the consultation on the National Mitigation Plan to transition Ireland to a low carbon economy by 2050. |
€67,768 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC) |
Technical support on developing low carbon sector roadmaps for Ireland. |
The project relates to technical support, with no formal document due for publication. |
€107,552 |
|
2013 |
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Article 29(2) Report on Progress on Implementation of the EC (Good Agriculture Practices for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. |
Published April 2014. |
Nil |
|
2013 |
Garrett Fennell Solicitor |
Independent Review of the registration arrangements for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007. |
Published on the Department's website. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of CALF assessment process. |
Date of publication to be decided. |
€11,675 |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Business Process Design of the Housing Assistance Payment. |
Date of publication to be decided. |
€54,938 |
|
2013 |
Indecon |
Assessment of Potential Merits of New Initiative re Purchase of Local Authority Houses by Existing Tenants. |
Not intended for publication. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
KW Research & Associates |
NTACC Research into why Travellers leave Traveller-specific accommodation. |
Published on the Department's website April 2014. |
€11,938 |
|
2013 |
RPS Group |
Public consultation process on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and producing a report. |
Published November 2013. |
€9,000 |
|
2013 |
SLR Environmental Consulting (Ireland) Ltd/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Wind Energy in Ireland: Building Community Engagement and Social Support. |
Published July 2014. |
€50,451 |
|
2013 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2013 Report. |
Published June 2014. |
€52,014 |
|
2013 |
Userneeds |
Usage survey on the Met Éireann website. |
Not intended for publication - this was a report volunteered to Met Éireann by the survey company on a 'sample' basis. |
Nil - provided as a 'free sample' |
|
2014 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Socio-Economic Impact of a nuclear accident in the UK. |
The intention is that the report will be published, but the specific date is not yet known. |
€79,950 |
|
2014 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management follow up Report (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann is building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,599 |
|
2014 |
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) |
Peer review of Met Eireann's Operational and Strategic Review. |
This report is not intended for publication. |
€4,920 |
|
2014 |
MacCabe, Durney Barnes |
Independent Planning Review. |
Published December 2015. |
€94,521 |
|
2014 |
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment - Netherlands (RIVM) |
Electromagnetic Fields in the Irish Context. |
Published June 2016. |
(6) See footnote |
|
2014 |
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Environmental Policy Integration: Case Studies Research. |
Report is being considered by NESC Council. |
€38,222 |
|
2014 |
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Sustainable Urban Development. |
Published July 2015. |
€25,465 |
|
2014 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Westmeath. |
Published May 2014. |
€5,000 |
|
2014 |
Patricia Thornton Tom Philips Associates |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Limerick. |
Published August 2014. |
€4,151 |
|
2014 |
Ricardo-AEA |
NSMC Residential Solid Fuel Study. |
Published March 2016. |
(7) €39,739 |
|
2014 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2014 Report. |
Published July 2015. |
€52,014 |
|
2014 |
University College Cork (UCC)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Review of Environmental Social Policy Literature. |
Published July 2015. |
€4,305 |
|
2015 |
AECOM |
Additional cost optimal calculations for domestic and non-domestic buildings. |
Published February 2015 |
€33,683 |
|
2015 |
Behaviour & Attitudes Ltd. |
Market Survey to determine weather forecast consumption behaviour of the Irish public. |
Not intended for publication. Extracts may be published in the future. |
€19,865 |
|
2015 |
Deloitte |
Business Case Review for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). |
Date of publication to be decided. |
€28,939 |
|
2015 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Household Waste Management Costs in Ireland. |
Publication to be considered. |
€10,763 |
|
2015 |
Dr. Dagmar Stengel |
Best practice in relation to the sustainable exploitation and management of intertidal seaweed resources. |
Not intended for publication. |
€14,391 |
|
2015 |
Independent Review Group |
An Bord Pleanála - Organisational Review. |
Published March 2016. |
€18,760 |
|
2015 |
IT Executive Focus |
Review of the Structure and Delivery Model of the ICT Services for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. |
Not intended for publication. |
€55,289 |
|
2015 |
MartinPlan Consulting |
To consider the implications of the C-50 judgment in the context of waste water discharge licensing and to make any necessary recommendations. |
Not expected to be published. |
€1,750 |
|
2015 |
Mazars Consulting |
Independent Review of Homeless Services (2015). |
Published on the Department's website January 2016. |
€27,075 |
|
2015 |
Rory Mulcahy, Senior Counsel |
Review Report in relation to Certain Planning Matters in respect of Donegal County Council. |
Issue of publication to be considered following completion of report. |
€0 |
|
2015 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) services on the National Mitigation Plan. |
Draft for public consultation due November 2016. |
(8) €22,610 |
|
2015 |
Steering Group on Fire Safety Review (Chaired by Martin Riordan) |
Review of Fire Safety arrangements in multi-unit developments where concerns arise regarding non-compliance with statutory requirements. |
Date of publication to be decided. |
€34,905 |
|
2015 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2015 Report. |
Expected to be published July 2016. |
€49,077 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Louth. |
Published February 2016 |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Kildare. |
Published in June 2016. |
€0 |
|
2016 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2016 Report. |
Expected to be published July 2017. |
€24,589 |
(1) The contract was in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Total cost of the study is €169,302 (inclusive of VAT). My Department's contribution was €21,190 (inclusive of VAT) with the balance met by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (i.e. €148,112 inclusive of VAT).
(2) The Initial Assessment report, monitoring programme and programme of measures each arise from a broader process connected with Ireland’s obligation to implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The work primarily consists of a determination of the status of Ireland’s marine waters, the measures necessary to achieve, or maintain, the required Good Environmental Status by 2020 and a programme to monitor this. The preparation of a draft Initial Assessment (under Art. 8 of the MSFD), including proposals for Good Environmental Status (Art. 9) and for draft Environmental Targets (Art. 10), is underpinned by a suite of monitoring measures to measure the maritime environment against these targets (Art. 11). Where human activities are preventing these targets from being met, a Programme of Measures to mitigate the effect of these activities, or halt them as appropriate (Art. 13), is currently being finalised.
(3) My Department previously provided funding to Cork County Council to support the production of an annual Dust Impact Assessment Report at the former Irish Steel site at Haulbowline Island. Following a Government Decision in June 2011, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine assumed the lead role in relation to the remedial works necessary to be undertaken on the site. Accordingly, funding provided to Cork County Council for the annual Dust Impact Assessment Report 2011 and subsequent years is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
(4) This report was co-funded by my Department and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The cost to my Department of €42,706 represents 50% of the total cost.
(5) Survey jointly commissioned and funded by the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland and my Department.
(6) The cost of this project was €66,950 and was met in full by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
(7) This report was commissioned by my Department under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The cost was evenly split and the final charge to my Department was €39,739.
(8) The Report will cost €90,440 in total (including 23% VAT) and is being co-funded on an equal share basis by the Departments of Transport, Energy and Agriculture.
132. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total photography costs per annum for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance, in tabular form; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/16]
View answer133. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide, broken down per annum, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office, in tabular form; the external public relations firm used; to outline the internal Departmental policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20390/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
My Department has not engaged the services of any photographer or external PR firm since I came to office.
My Department’s Press Office generally provides photographic services when required. However, if external photography services are required, they are obtained in line with the Whole-of-Government Optional Framework for Photography Services, details of which are available from the Office of Government Procurement.
134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of small farmers making tax returns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20336/16]
View answer137. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of small farmers making tax returns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20335/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 137 together.
Self-employed workers, including farmers, whose annual income exceeds €5,000 are liable to pay PRSI at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. Similar to other self-employed workers, farmers pay PRSI, along with income tax and USC, with their annual return using Revenue's self-assessment system. The payment of the annual class S PRSI payment by self-employed workers means that 52 paid contributions are awarded to their social insurance record in respect of that contribution year.
Where farmers and other self-employed workers earn less than €5,000 in a particular contribution year, they are not liable to pay PRSI. To protect their social insurance record they may opt to pay voluntary contributions, subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions. To become a voluntary contributor, a person must have paid at least 520 weeks PRSI in either employment or self-employment and apply within 12 months of the contribution year in which they were last paid PRSI. The voluntary contribution payment for the self-employed is a single flat rate annual payment of €500, which results in 52 paid contributions being awarded to their social insurance record in respect of that contribution year. The majority of people paying voluntary contributions are former self-employed workers. Full details of the voluntary contribution scheme are provided on the Department's website www.welfare.ie and are also available from the Citizens Information Board (CIB).
The system of PRSI for employees differs, in that it applies on a weekly and not annual basis. In general, employees are liable to pay PRSI at 4% on weekly earnings in excess of €352, which is deducted at source and remitted through the PAYE system. In addition, their employers pay PRSI at 8.5% for weekly earnings between €38 and €376 and at the rate of 10.75% where weekly earnings exceed €376. Paid contributions are only awarded to employees’ social insurance record for each week they have been in insurable employment.
Employees also have the opportunity of applying to pay voluntary contributions in respect of weeks for which they are not working and for which no paid contribution is awarded to their social insurance record, subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions. Voluntary contributions for employees are based on their income in the previous year and the rate of payment depends on the nature of their employment. For most former employees, voluntary contributions are payable at rate of 6.6%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500.
135. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the family income supplement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20110/16]
View answerA claim for Family Income Supplement (FIS) was made by the person concerned on 17th June 2016.
My department has assessed the family income in this case, based upon the evidence available, and has decided that the assessable family income exceeds the prescribed income limit for the relevant family size. Therefore, the claim for FIS has been disallowed and the person in question was notified on 3 July 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.
I know that you have been in contact with staff in my office who are looking into this query for you. They will reply once they are in a position to do so.
136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20131/16]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people who have a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
The person concerned was refused CA in 2015 as she was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week. This decision was upheld on appeal.
The person concerned re-applied on 8 February 2016 and her application was again refused as she was working over 15 hours per week.
When the person concerned provided evidence to show that she was reducing her hours of employment to a maximum of 15 hours per week from 1 July 2016, CA was awarded to her with effect from the date the hours were reduced.
The first payment is due to issue to the person’s nominated bank account on 7 July 2016 and she was notified of these details on 28 June 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
138. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the payment of arrears under the family income support scheme to a person (details supplied). [20404/16]
View answerThe person concerned reapplied for family income supplement (FIS) and was awarded from 9 June 2016 to 7 June 2017 at a weekly supplement of €81.00.
This FIS claim was then suspended with effect from the 6 July 2016 as the person concerned was absent from work due to illness and receiving illness benefit (IB) from the 20 May 2016.
FIS may be paid in conjunction with IB for a maximum of 6 weeks.
FIS may be re-instated at the original rate awarded when the person in question resumes work after illness and provided that they continue to satisfy the FIS condition of working at least 38 hours per fortnight.
In order to ensure there is no delay in reinstatement of FIS payment, the person in question should contact FIS section when they have submitted their final medical certificate, stating the date they are fit to resume work, to IB Section, Store Street, Dublin 1.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
139. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20423/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 June 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be 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 appeal 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
140. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20427/16]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 12 May 2016. Payment will issue to her nominated account on 21 July 2016. Any arrears due from the 12 May 2016 to 20 July 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on 06 July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
