Wednesday, 30 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 87-116

Family Income Supplement Data

Questions (87)

John Brady

Question:

87. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families in receipt of the family income supplement in which a Department was detailed as their employer, by Department. [37813/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

At the end of October 2016 there were 56,163 families in receipt of family income supplement in respect of over 124,300 children. Of those families, the principal earners in approximately 3,720 cases are recorded as being in public service employments. Statistics are not maintained at a more detailed level which would enable a breakdown by government Department as requested by the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (88)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

88. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37814/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The application for disability allowance (DA), based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and this man was notified in writing of this decision on 29 September 2015.

The person in question requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional evidence for consideration. The review was concluded by a DO and the decision to refuse on medical grounds was confirmed. The person in question was notified directly of the outcome of this review on 26 November 2015. They were advised of their right to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office. No appeal of this decision was received.

A new application for DA was received on 29 September 2016 from this man. On completion of all necessary investigations, a decision on his eligibility will be made. Notification of this decision will issue directly, in writing, to the person concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (89)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

89. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37815/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

This man has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 5 October 2016. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 4 January 2017.

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.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (90)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

90. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37817/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I confirm that an application from this man for disability allowance (DA) was received by my department on 11 August 2016. The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Services Programme

Questions (91)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

91. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of first-time applications submitted seeking funding from the community services programme in the past 12 months; if there are plans to increase the number of community services programme funded projects; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37820/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Community Services Programme (CSP) is designed to address locally identified gaps in the provision of services to communities. Funding is provided to support the employment of staff to deliver these services.

Pobal is contracted by my Department to undertake the financial and contract management for the CSP. To date, in 2016, 10 new social enterprise proposals were selected for further engagement. These 10 organisations have now progressed to working with Pobal to undertake an in-depth business planning process to determine the overall suitability and the resource requirements of their proposals, in line with CSP criteria.

Following the announcement of an additional €1m for the CSP as part of the social welfare budget package for 2017, funding of €46m will be provided for the programme in 2017. The increased funding will allow for a small number of new companies to be supported. Further information on the criteria for these new projects will be finalised over the coming weeks.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (92)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

92. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37822/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

This man submitted an application for disability allowance on 11 October 2016.

The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 28 November and of his rights of review and appeal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Family Income Supplement Applications

Questions (93)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a family income supplement application will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37824/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Further to my response to PQ ref. 35336 of Wednesday 16 November, I am pleased to confirm that my department will review the eligibility to FIS of the lady in question upon receipt of the additional information referred to in the details attached to this question.

Depending on the specific circumstances, my department advises that it may be necessary to refer the case to a local social welfare inspector for a report before the review can be completed. Once the review is complete, the outcome will be notified directly to the lady concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (94)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

94. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37827/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 8 November 2016.

Further evidence was received on 18 November 2016 and this is currently being reviewed by a deciding officer. The person in question can expect a decision on the review of her DA application shortly. If the decision to refuse the allowance is confirmed following review, the person concerned will have the right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (95)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

95. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37829/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 28th November 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.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (96)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

96. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37830/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 8 December 2016. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (97)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

97. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37831/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from this man on 5 September 2016.

On 23 November 2016 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (98)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

98. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37833/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I can confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 22 August 2016.

On 22 November 2016 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (99)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

99. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37839/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from this lady on 26 September 2016.

On 28 November 2016 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (100)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

100. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37841/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 6th December 2016. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (101)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

101. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37842/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from this man.

On 19 August 2016 the application was referred by a deciding officer (DO) to a social welfare investigative officer (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The SWI has confirmed that following a meeting on 10 November 2016, some documents are still outstanding. The SWI contacted the person in question on 28 November 2016 to advise that these documents are required in order to complete the means assessment.

Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to the DO, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Contributory)

Questions (102)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

102. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to address the inequality experienced by persons that fall short of the number of PRSI contributions to qualify for a full State pension and are then refused the non-contributory State pension based on their spouse’s income; when he will address this inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37845/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The State Pension Contributory (SPC) is a social insurance payment. Entitlement is based on 520 PRSI contributions having being paid since first starting work and the rate payable is based on the average yearly number of PRSI contributions made over a working life. A person who does not qualify for the full rate of SPC would generally qualify for a reduced rate of payment of SPC. It should be noted that people with a yearly average number of PRSI contribution of 40 or more will qualify for a weekly rate of SPC which is in excess of the weekly maximum rate of the equivalent social assistance payment – the State Pension Non-Contributory (SPNC).

The latter payment is one of a range of means tested social assistance payments. The means test takes account of the income and assets of the person and any spouse/partner, if applicable. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.

For the State Pension Non-Contributory, the means of the claimant are taken to be one-half of the means of the couple.

The purpose of the means test is to ensure those individuals and couples with limited or no income or assets receive the most support from the State, while those with higher levels of income or assets provide for their own needs to a greater extent. It is in the nature of means tested schemes that there is no entitlement to a payment once the means of an individual or couple exceed a given amount. Finally, where one of a couple is entitled to a SPC, an increase may be payable in respect of a spouse or partner who has income of less than €310 per week. Any such increase is paid directly to the spouse or partner.

Homemakers Scheme

Questions (103)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

103. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will apply the homemaker's credits to persons who were homemakers pre-1994 in view of the fact that not doing so ultimately results in older persons being dependent on the lower-rate non-contributory pension or as qualified adults on their spouse's contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37846/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The State pension contributory is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement. Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating the rate of pension entitlement. Entitlement is banded based on the average yearly contributions made during a working life. Those with a yearly average of 48+ contributions receive a 100% pension, where, for example, those with only a yearly average of 20 contributions receive an 85% pension (not means-tested). Even if someone has only 10 years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they would generally qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances, and it will not always be their most advantageous payment to claim.

The homemaker’s scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for State pension contributory (SPC) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or incapacitated people, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being calculated for pension purposes. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which the person’s contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average, making it easier for them to qualify for a maximum rate SPC. It does not involve the award of credits, and was not back-dated for periods of homemaking prior to its introduction.

My Department reviews these and other provisions on an ongoing basis and has estimated that the cost of extending the Homemakers scheme to allow people to avail of the full 20 years currently allowed under the scheme, encompassing periods prior to 1994, could cost €290m in 2017. This figure would increase in subsequent years.

Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives cannot qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. Therefore, if their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), the maximum personal rate of which is €222 (95% of the maximum contributory pension).

It is worth noting that the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund in 2012 confirmed that the Fund provides better value to female rather than male contributors. This is due to the distributive nature of the Fund. For example, those with a yearly average of only 20 contributions (38% of the maximum) may qualify for 85% of the maximum rate. Following examination of the changes in the contribution rules and the associated rates of payment introduced in September 2012, the Review found that those with lower earnings and those with shorter contribution histories still obtain the best value from their contributions.

The National Pensions Framework (2010) proposed that a “Total Contribution Approach” (TCA) should replace the yearly average approach for new pensioners from 2020. The aim of this approach is to make the rate of contributory pension more closely match contributions made by a person. Officials of my Department are currently working on the detailed development of the TCA with a view to making proposals for consideration in the first half of next year. It’s worth noting that this is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical elements in its implementation. An important element in the final design of the scheme will be the position of people who have gaps in their contribution records for various reasons, and this factor is being considered very carefully in developing this reform.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Questions (104)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

104. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the back to education allowance will be awarded without delay as the person (details supplied) has no financial means. [37871/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person mentioned made enquiries about accessing the back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) at her local Intreo Centre. She was given an application form and subsequently returned the completed form. Her application was examined by a deciding officer and she was refused a back to education allowance because she did not meet a basic qualification of the scheme, i.e., that a person must be in receipt of a jobseekers payment for at least 234 paid days prior to the commencement of the first year of the course the person wishes to pursue. The person in question had been paid jobseekers allowance for a total of only 97 days up to the 16 August 2016. The person therefore did not qualify for the BTEA scheme and was informed of this in writing on the 16 August 2016.

I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobs Initiative

Questions (105)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

105. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount that will be paid in 2016 to external companies that provide services under the JobPath programme; if it is intended to carry out a review of the efficacy of this programme; when the current contracts with the external companies will come to an end; if it is intended to continue with this approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37876/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

As the Deputy will be aware, JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. Two companies, Seetec and Turas Nua, have been contracted to deliver the service. These companies have established over 80 service locations around the country and employ nearly 600 staff. Over 60,000 jobseekers have commenced their engagement with the JobPath companies.

The service is being delivered through a payment by results model and all initial costs are borne by the companies i.e. the model is so structured that the contractors cannot recover their costs or make a profit unless they successfully place jobseekers into full time, paid and sustainable employment. Contractors are paid via a combination of an initial registration fee and thereafter job sustainment fees which are paid in respect of 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks of sustained employment of at least 30 hours per week.

The overall cost of the service will be determined by the number of people who engage with the service and the number of jobseekers who successfully obtain and sustain employment. It is not intended to publish the individual payments to the companies as these are commercially sensitive and to do so would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts now in place and any future procurement that may be undertaken.

Both companies are subject to regular on-site inspections to ensure that the service is delivered in accordance with contractual obligations. My department has also commissioned a customer satisfaction survey to independently assess whether customers who are referred to the service are satisfied with the level, and quality, of service delivered by the contractors. The results of the survey are expected in the coming weeks. Payments to contractors can be reduced if the results of the survey or of the inspections indicate that the quality of service is not satisfactory.

Given that the engagement period on JobPath is 12 months and also that rollout was phased it will take time to accumulate a sufficient number of completed engagements to support a robust impact evaluation. Nevertheless the department intends to carry out a preliminary econometric counterfactual impact evaluation of JobPath over the coming months, this work is expected to be completed in mid-2017 and will be followed in early 2018 by an independent third party evaluation. In addition, my department has agreed to facilitate the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) to conduct an external review of client experience with JobPath. This is expected to be undertaken early next year.

The JobPath service commenced in 2015 and the contracts are for six years comprising two consecutive phases: phase one entails four years’ of client referrals while phase two entails a ‘run off’ period during which time no additional clients will be referred, but services will be delivered to completion for those clients referred during phase one. The contracts include options to extend phase one for further periods (up to a maximum of 24 months) at the Department’s discretion. Any decision to do so will be taken nearer to the time.

It is estimated that payments in 2016 to JobPath providers will amount c. €25m.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Questions (106)

Tom Neville

Question:

106. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37899/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

This lady was notified on the 28th November 2016 that her domiciliary care allowance has been backdated on appeal, by 6 months, to 1st June 2015. Arrears due for this period will issue with her December payment, on the 20th December 2016. As a result of the backdating decision, the 2015 Carers Support Grant is now also payable and this payment will issue on the 8th December 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Questions (107)

Clare Daly

Question:

107. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the implications for workplace pension funds here as a result of the passing of the revised IORP directive by the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37905/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The first EU Directive 2003/41/EC on the Activities and Supervision of Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP I) established the basic EU requirements for occupational pension funds and their supervision, including rules obliging schemes to invest their assets prudently. It is anticipated that the revised IORP directive (IORP II) will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the end of 2016 or in early 2017.

Transposition will be required within two years from the date of publication and will entail significant change to Irish pension legislation. The Department, supported by the Pensions Authority, will manage the transposition process of the IORP II directive.

The over-arching objective of IORP II is to facilitate the development of occupational retirement savings in the EU.

Many of the provisions contained within the IORP II directive will also support positive reform of the Irish occupational pension sector. The directive provides for a range of new requirements concerning governance, management standards in schemes, safekeeping of assets, the need for clear and relevant information to members, the removal of obstacles to cross-border provision of pension services and the facilitation of cross border transfer of schemes. There are also provisions that will enhance the powers of the pension regulators for effective supervision of IORP.

Implementation of the directive requires legislative change and the Department will ensure that the necessary law, regulation or administrative provisions or necessary changes to existing laws, regulations or administrative provisions will be made to give full effect to the directive. The Pensions Act 1990, as amended, together with regulations made under that Act, is the legislation pertaining to occupational and private pensions and therefore relevant to the transposition of the directive.

Standards in relation to occupational pension schemes will be enhanced by the transposition of the IORP II directive.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rural Social Scheme Eligibility

Questions (108)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

108. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which the proposed six-year limit for future RSS participants will be applied to existing participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37912/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

As the Deputy will be fully aware RSS provides opportunities for farmers and fishermen and women who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities.

As part of the social welfare budget package for 2017, I announced an increase of €5 a week in the personal rate of payment for rural social scheme (RSS) participants from March 2017. I also announced an additional 500 places on the scheme to be rolled out in 2017. This will increase the overall number of places to 3,100. My Department intends allocating these places as early as possible in 2017, taking into account a number of factors. These include the number of places already allocated, the demand for places in particular areas, work opportunities available and the numbers of farmers and fishermen and women in receipt of income support.

Eligibility for participation on the scheme will continue to remain limited to those in receipt of certain specified social welfare payments and all participants must be also actively engaged in farming or fishing. In future, all new entrants to the RSS will have to be over 25 years of age and, in addition, a 6 year overall participation limit will be introduced on the scheme in 2017. This will ensure that there will be a throughput of places available and that younger people will have an opportunity to explore other training or education options in the first instance before participating on a long term-work programme. In this context, the Deputy should note that almost 50% of the current participants have been on the RSS for over 10 years.

Existing RSS participants will remain on the scheme as long as they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions of the scheme and the new conditions outlined above will only apply to new RSS entrants.

Legislative Reviews

Questions (109)

Catherine Martin

Question:

109. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection if, when a review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 is commenced in September 2017, members of the transgender and intersex communities and those that provide services directly to transgender persons, particularly transgender youth and non binary persons, will be represented in the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37926/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The precise format of the review, under Section 7 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 has not, as yet, been decided. However since the commencement of the Act my Department has been working with other relevant Departments, particularly the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the implementation of the legislation. I am aware that both of those Departments are already working with the various stakeholders on issues regarding transgender persons and in particular, transgender child issues. This engagement with the relevant stakeholders will continue to inform and greatly assist the review when it begins in 2017.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (110)

Robert Troy

Question:

110. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [37950/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th September 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 14th November 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.

Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Applications

Questions (111)

Michael Harty

Question:

111. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a partial capacity benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38071/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a Social Welfare scheme which allows a person return to employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. A person who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a medical assessor who will assess the restriction on their capacity for work.

The PCB application in respect of the person concerned was received in my Department on 21 Nov 2016. The matter was referred to the Department’s Medical Assessors on 25 Nov 2016 to give an opinion on the level of work restriction which would apply in this case. Once a reply is received, the matter will be considered further and the person concerned will be notified of the position.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 112 withdrawn.

Northern Ireland

Questions (113)

Brendan Smith

Question:

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37951/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am keenly aware of the issues cited in the correspondence supplied and my Department has met with WAVE as part of the consultations I mandated earlier this year on legacy issues. WAVE has previously received support from my Department’s Reconciliation Fund, most recently in 2011.

The Good Friday Agreement exhorts us not to forget those who have been injured as a result of the Troubles, as well as those who died, and makes specific reference to both services and resourcing for victims. It has already taken too long to give practical expression to that commitment. I am very conscious, as I work with the Northern Ireland parties and the British Government to establish the Stormont House legacy institutions, that the crucial question of a pension for the injured remains outstanding.

I will seek an update on this specific issue at the earliest opportunity from the First and deputy First Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as part of my regular contact with them on legacy and victims and survivors issues.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (114)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to make available both purchase and transfer arrangements in the single public service pension scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37799/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

While there is a facility for the purchase of additional pension benefits under pre-existing public service pension schemes, there is no specific provision in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 which established the Single Pension Scheme, to provide for the purchase or transfer of additional pension benefits by Single Scheme members.  Notwithstanding this, a commitment has been given that a purchase and transfer facility would be provided by way of Regulations under the Single Scheme Act.   

Appropriate Regulations are being drafted and these will set out the rules of the new scheme.  It is intended that the Regulations will allow Single Scheme members to purchase additional pension and lump sum referable amounts. The Regulations will also provide for the transfer of pension entitlements accrued in certain other Revenue approved pension schemes to the Single Scheme. The pricing of purchased benefits will be based on the actuarially calculated cost of paying out those benefits at retirement and will operate on a cost neutral basis to the Exchequer. The draft scheme is currently subject to detailed legal considerations and the intention is to bring forward Regulations on the new scheme as soon as these legal considerations have been settled.

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (115)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

115. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make the scope of works being carried out on a monument (details supplied) in County Kerry available to the public; if all future works to monuments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37821/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The works currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works at St. Brendan’s Oratory, Kilmakedar site are designed to address structural instability in the Monument and a partial collapse in the front wall and a gable wall of the building. The intention of the works is to ensure that these structures do not suffer further collapse and irreversible damage.

The project involved the insertion on a temporary basis of heavy structural timber supports within the building to maintain the integrity of its shape and prevent further collapse and loss of fabric. At this stage, the core reconstruction/stabilisation work is practically complete and all that remains to be done is to remove scaffolding and make good the site. This will be carried out over the next few months as weather conditions and resources allow.

Projects of this type are initiated in response to a significant threat to a Monument and constitute a normal maintenance activity for the Office of Public Works National Monuments staff. There is no requirement for the Office of Public Works to publish details of such works. However, the execution of all such works must be given Consent by the Minister for the Department of Arts Heritage Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department is consulted fully in relation to any such proposals.

National Monuments

Questions (116)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

116. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if works to national monuments are subject to planning permission or public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37825/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Planning permission is obtained for works undertaken by the Office of Public Works at National Monuments in State care where appropriate. However, all such works are subject to individual scrutiny under the National Monuments Consent process as defined at Section 14 of the National Monuments Act, 1930, as amended.

While public consultation does not form part of the section 14 consent process, the director of the National Museum of Ireland is consulted in each case.

I will separately forward for the Deputy’s information a copy of a Guidance Note on this process issued by the Department of Arts Heritage Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.