Tom Neville
Question:123. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance appeal by a person (details supplied). [33922/16]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance Appeals
Questions (123)
Written answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17th October 2016, 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times
Questions (124)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for social protection applications for various schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33930/16]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
|
Social Welfare claims by average time to award October 2016 |
|
|
Scheme |
Average Waiting Time (weeks) |
|
Carer's Allowance |
19 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
23 |
|
State Pension Contributory (Domestic) |
6 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
14 |
|
Disability Allowance |
14 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
9 |
|
Social Welfare Appeals (year 2015) |
21 |
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Questions (125)
Martin Heydon
Question:125. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if the extension of treatment benefits to self-employed persons from March 2017 will include the cost of hearing aids; if these benefits will be available to retired persons as well as active self employed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33949/16]
View answerWritten answers
The announcement made in Budget 2017 provides for the extension of treatment benefits to self employed contributors, including cover for the hearing aid grant, from March 2017.
When the proposed changes are legislated for, PRSI contributions paid at Class S will be reckonable for dental, optical and audiological (hearing aid) benefit in the same way as is currently the case with Class A contributions. Retired people who have paid Class S PRSI may also qualify, providing they meet the relevant PRSI contribution conditions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If you require any further information please don’t hesitate to contact Philip in my office.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Questions (126)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal on a carer's allowance decision in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33950/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26th October 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.
Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals
Questions (127)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal on a rent allowance decision in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33952/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th October 2016. 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 have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24th October 2016 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Benefit Appeals
Questions (128)
Brendan Ryan
Question:128. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's benefit appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33962/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s benefit from the person concerned on 27 April 2016. The person concerned was refused carer’s benefit on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care and attention as required.
The person concerned was notified on 19 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
A review of this decision was requested and following this review the deciding officer decided that there was no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified on 29 August 2016 of the outcome, the reason for it and of her right of appeal within 21 days.
There is no record of an appeal against this decision being made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
If the lady in question believes she may qualify, she may make a new claim for carer’s benefit and it will be considered and decided upon by my Department as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Eligibility
Questions (129)
Tom Neville
Question:129. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection when carer's allowance payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the appeal was successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33967/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 25 January 2016.
The application was disallowed on 31 May 2016. The person concerned appealed this decision and the case was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals office for determination on 12 July 2016.
An appeals officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence has allowed the appeal and the decision has been returned to my Department for implementation. The case is currently being processed and, once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the relevant details.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Applications
Questions (130)
Tom Neville
Question:130. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34000/16]
View answerWritten answers
Following a successful appeal, this lady has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 4 May 2016. The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 30 November 2016.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Questions (131)
John McGuinness
Question:131. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an invalidity pension will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited. [34002/16]
View answerWritten answers
The gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 28 July 2016. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 24 November 2016. Any arrears due from 28 July 2016 to 23 November 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 08 November 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Records
Questions (132)
Seán Fleming
Question:132. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a list of all contingent assets in his Department and in agencies under his Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if he will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34082/16]
View answerWritten answers
The following contingent assets are recorded in the Department of Social Protections (DSP) books of account as at 31 December 2015:
DSP Contingent Assets at 31/12/2015
|
- |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
Category |
Social Insurance Fund (SIF) |
Vote 37 Appropriation Account |
TOTAL |
|
Scheme Debt |
90,225 |
376,851 |
467,076 |
|
Redundancy Debt |
335,671 |
- |
335,671 |
|
Insolvency Debt |
111,342 |
- |
111,342 |
|
TOTAL |
537,238 |
376,851 |
915,089 |
The definition of a contingent asset as defined by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is as follows:
“A contingent asset is a possible asset that arises from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain events not wholly within the control of the entity (IPSAS 19)”.
In accordance with IPSAS 19 and standard Government cash accounting practice the contingent assets as detailed in the table are not recognised in the balance sheet of DSP’s statutory accounts.
DSPs accounts are prepared on a cash basis as opposed to an accruals basis. Social welfare benefits and allowances (including Redundancy & Insolvency (R&I)) are recognised when the payments are made. Receipts in relation to amounts recovered from welfare benefits and allowances (including R&I) are recognised in the period in which the amount is recovered.
Consequently the related debt is not recognised as an asset in either DSP’s Vote Appropriation account or in the SIF account. In the case of the above mentioned contingent assets, the book value of the debt is disclosed in notes 4 and 5 in SIF account and 6.1 in the Vote Appropriation account.
Departmental Records
Questions (133)
Seán Fleming
Question:133. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of all contingent assets in his Department and in agencies under his Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if he will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34077/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for two Votes, Vote 27 (International Co-operation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). There are no agencies under the aegis of the Department.
Insofar as Vote 27 is concerned there are no contingent assets held by the Department.
Regarding Vote 28, the only contingent asset is a very small one relating to arrangements whereby citizens are repatriated at State expense in exceptional situations. The types of situations are varied and usually relate to persons with serious illness, destitution or where there is a serious concern for the welfare or safety of individuals.
Persons assisted are obliged to sign an undertaking to repay the amount advanced to the Department, with every effort made to recover the amounts advanced.
In 2016, eight citizens have received assistance to-date under the repatriation budget at a total cost of €3,325. €1,672 has been recouped so far this year and has been remitted as Exchequer Extra Receipts.
In 2015, six citizens received assistance under the repatriation budget at a cost of €2,697. €2,215 was recovered in 2015 and remitted as Exchequer Extra Receipts.
Public Sector Staff Recruitment
Questions (134)
Clare Daly
Question:134. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 2 November 2016, if he will confirm that there are currently plans for recruitment at assistant principal level in 2016. [33902/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the last open and interdepartmental standard Assistant Principal Officer competitions were held in June 2015 and is currently being used to fill existing vacancies at Assistant Principal Officer level in the Civil Service. Such panels usually last for a period of between eighteen months to two years.
A competition for Human Resource Managers at Assistant Principal Officer level was advertised by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) last Thursday 4 November 2016.
While my officials and officials in PAS are discussing the possibility of further competitions including at Assistant Principal Officer level, it is not possible at this time to confirm when such a competition may be held.
Appointments to State Boards
Questions (135)
Clare Daly
Question:135. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he changed his position on the reappointment of a person (details supplied) to Horse Racing Ireland following a request from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to sanction the reappointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33951/16]
View answerWritten answers
The appointment of the Chief Executive is a matter for the Board of Horse Racing Ireland under the relevant legislation. The Board of Horse Racing Ireland formally reappointed the Chief Executive Officer on the 21st of July on terms and conditions approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and I, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The case made for the reappointment was supported by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The case made indicated that the reappointment was required because of the substantial importance of the role played by the CEO HRI in the thoroughbred horse industry, the expertise, experience and qualifications brought by the current CEO to the post and the continuity the appointment would provide for the implementation of the strategic plan for the development of this important industry.
Lansdowne Road Agreement Implementation
Questions (136)
Dara Calleary
Question:136. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of the implementation of the Lansdowne Road agreement in 2017; if that cost has been revised in view of recent Labour Court recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34060/16]
View answerWritten answers
The provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015, which implements the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement, partially unwind the pay reductions imposed on public servants, and are prudent and sustainable in the fiscal space currently available to Government. The estimated overall gross cost of these pay measures (inclusive of the previously committed costs attributable to the Haddington Road Agreement) in each year of the Agreement is €267m in 2016, €290m in 2017, and €287m in 2018 or a cumulative total of €844m in 2018. Budget 2017 allocated €290 million to implement the terms of the Landsdowne Road Agreement in 2017,
The cost of the Labour Court's proposed settlement (which remains subject to ballot by the relevant Garda Associations) will be met from within existing budgetary allocations.
Public Service Pay Commission Establishment
Questions (137)
Dara Calleary
Question:137. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe for the Public Service Pay Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34061/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has established the Public Service Pay Commission which held its first meeting yesterday and is now up and running. The Commission will be advisory in nature and provide an initial report in the second quarter of 2017. For its initial report, the Commission has been asked to provide input on how the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest legislation should proceed. This will inform any future engagement with staff representatives in relation to pay. The Commission is chaired by Mr Kevin Duffy, who has a deep knowledge of Irish Industrial Relations after nearly 20 years serving on the Labour Court.
The Government will retain the ability to negotiate directly with its employees in respect of pay. The Commission's role will be to provide evidence-based objective analysis on pay matters to assist Department of Public Expenditure and Reform officials in discharging their negotiation function on behalf of Government.
Departmental Records
Questions (138)
Seán Fleming
Question:138. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all contingent assets in his Department and in agencies under his Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if he will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34081/16]
View answerWritten answers
While contingent assets are provided for in international accounting standards, they only apply to entities that use the accruals basis of accounting. The Vote for my Department and the other Votes within the Public Expenditure and Reform Vote group are accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts on a cash basis in accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866. Notes to the annual accounts are provided on foot of policies specified in the circulars issued by my Department.
In accordance with these accounting requirements, there is no reporting in relation to contingent assets. In the case of agencies under my Department that are required to use the accruals basis of accounting, I am advised that they do not have any contingent assets that must be accounted for under the relevant accounting standards applying to them.
National Museum
Questions (139)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:139. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the major changes being made to the National Museum buildings to facilitate another organisation in view of the enormous and unnecessary disruption to the work of the museum in conserving, protecting and exhibiting the historic artifacts of the nation and the world. [33917/16]
View answerWritten answers
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the request from the Houses of the Oireachtas Service to the Government that the Ceramic Room in the National Museum, Kildare Street, be made available on a temporary basis for Seanad Éireann in order to allow essential fire protection and health and safety works to be carried out in Leinster House. Such a temporary relocation of the Seanad is, of course, a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas in the first instance, while issues relating to the works to be carried out are proper to the Office of Public Works, which has overall responsibility for the State’s accommodation needs.
My role, on behalf of Government, was to request the National Museum to facilitate the relocation request and the Board of the Museum has agreed to so facilitate it. As the Ceramic Room is used primarily for education purposes, additional funding is being made available to provide alternative accommodation within the Museum for its education programme and for the installation of a new lift, which will provide disability access to the upper level of the Museum for the first time.
I understand that the Board of the Museum in engaging in a proactive way with the Oireachtas and a wider oversight group with a view to facilitating the temporary relocation of the Seanad while ensuring that the Museum can continue to deliver its full range of services.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (140)
Noel Grealish
Question:140. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she expects to notify local authorities which applications under the town and village renewal scheme are to go ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33985/16]
View answerWritten answers
On 9th August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million in funding for this year. A sum of €380,000 was made available to each of the 26 counties for 2016 under this initial phase of the scheme. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.
Following an assessment of the proposals received, on 4th November I announced the details of 172 towns and villages which will benefit from the funding available under this year’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The full list of towns benefiting under the scheme is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/more-than-170-towns-and-villages-benefit-from-funding-under-e10m-town-and-village-renewal-scheme-minister-humphreys/
My officials will be in contact with the relevant Local Authorities shortly to finalise arrangements and enter into funding agreements for the proposed projects.
Towns and villages are the heart of rural communities in Ireland and I am committed, through this scheme, to making them more attractive and more sustainable places in which to live and work. I have secured increased funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme as part of Budget 2017. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million. Under the 2017 scheme, I intend to run a pilot to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres. Details of this scheme are currently being prepared by my officials.
Commemorative Events
Questions (141)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:141. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the 2017 Famine Memorial Day will take place. [33927/16]
View answerWritten answers
Arrangements for the 2017 National Famine Commemoration will be considered shortly by the National Famine Commemoration Committee, which I chair. Details of the venue and location will be announced early in the New Year.
Invasive Plant Species
Questions (142)
Noel Grealish
Question:142. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of invasive species of plants and weed detected in Connemara National Park, Letterfrack, County Galway; the extent of their presence there; the kind of threat they pose to the natural environment; the plans in place to tackle them, including an estimated cost of any such action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33983/16]
View answerWritten answers
At present, there are three species of invasive plants identified within the boundaries of Connemara National Park. These are Lesser Knotweed (Persicaria campanulata), Giant Rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) and Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum). Each of these poses its own particular challenge and requires a specific plan of action to control, manage and, where possible and practicable, eradicate.
Lesser Knotweed is present in a small area of Connemara National Park and is not considered a major threat. A plan has been developed, in conjunction with Letterfrack Tidy Towns Committee, to eradicate this species within the village and the National Park. Due to the small area involved, costs will be minimal and total eradication is expected.
A small number of Giant Rhubarb plants have been identified within the confines of the National Park. Due to identification of this species in the adjacent Letterfrack village area, it has been included in the plan, formulated with Letterfrack Tidy Towns, to eradicate invasive species from the area. As with Lesser Knotweed, it is expected that the costs involved will be low, being limited mainly to the cost of the herbicides used.
Rhododendron occurs in important habitats in Connemara National Park such as oak woodlands, bogs and heath, and is considered a problematic invasive species. My Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of Rhododendron in the Park. The extent of the problem varies from area to area within the Park and, having regard to the very dynamic nature of this invasive species, the targeted management programme is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring optimum efficacy.
If left unchecked, this invasive species can grow in dense thickets and replace native shrub, exclude native vegetation, and constrain native woodland regeneration. The management programme has made significant inroads into the problem and large areas of previously infested areas are now clear of the plant. Since 2012, over €13,000 has been spent by my Department on Rhododendron clearance in Connemara National Park.
Ultimately the plan is to clear all Rhododendron ponticum from our National Parks and, as part of that plan, the annual Rhododendron management programme is intended to create conditions in the Park that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, our native woodlands. My Department is committed to continuing this important and challenging work into the future.
In this regard I would like to recognise the important contribution of volunteer groups to this work, and also to acknowledge the excellent work of my Department’s staff in Connemara National Park who, along with their colleagues in National Parks around the country, have been instrumental in developing new methods to increase the effectiveness of our efforts to control this plant and other invasive species.
General information on invasive species and what the public can do to help is available on the invasive species section of the National Biodiversity Data Centre website at http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/.
Foras na Gaeilge
Questions (143)
Seamus Healy
Question:143. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of budget for Foras na Gaeilge for 2017; if this funding is an increase or decrease on the 2016 figure; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately 120 jobs are dependent on this budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33990/16]
View answerWritten answers
As I indicated in my reply to Questions Nos 285, 287 and 288 on 8 November 2016, the budget for Foras na Gaeilge is subject to approval by the North South Ministerial Council, given its status as an agency of An Foras Teanga, which is a North South Implementation Body co-funded by my Department and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
An indicative provision of €13.239m has been provided within my Department’s Vote for An Foras Teanga in 2017. The comparative provision in 2016 was €13.201m.
Hare Coursing
Questions (144)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:144. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the mauling of a hare at a hare coursing event in Ballinagar, County Offaly, on 29 October 2016 (details supplied); if her Department is investigating the incident; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34013/16]
View answerWritten answers
Staff of my Department were present at this coursing event to monitor it and I have asked for a report on the matter.
Departmental Records
Questions (145)
Seán Fleming
Question:145. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a list of all contingent assets in her Department and in agencies under her Department where amounts can be owed but are not listed in the national accounts as an asset; if she will further provide a full breakdown of each category of contingent assets and the estimated amounts in the category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34070/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that while contingent assets are provided for in international accounting standards, they only apply to entities that use the accruals basis of accounting. The Vote for my Department is accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts on a cash basis in accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act. Notes to the annual accounts are provided on foot of policies specified in the circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and, in accordance with these accounting requirements, there is no reporting in relation to contingent assets.
In relation to those agencies under the aegis of my Department, I am advised that they do not have any contingent assets that that would come within the scope of the Deputy's Question.