Written Answers Nos. 340-52
340. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if the private companies (details supplied) contracted to provide JobPath are in receipt of funding from his Department for courses provided by them; if so, the cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4392/17]
View answerAs 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.
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 only paid via a combination of an initial registration fee and thereafter job sustainment fees. Job sustainment fees are only paid when a jobseeker is successful in obtaining and sustaining employment for periods of 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks.
Contractors are not in receipt of funding from the department for the training or other interventions they may provide.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
341. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application for a person (details supplied). [4416/17]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 6 January 2017.
When the application form was examined, it was discovered that a large part was left incomplete. Accordingly the application could not be processed. My Department contacted the applicant on 27 January 2017 to request the missing information.
Once the outstanding documentation is provided, the application will be further processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If the Deputy requires further assistance with this query he should not hesitate to contact my office.
342. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of his Department's discussions on pay scales for rural social scheme supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4446/17]
View answerThe Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was introduced in 2004. It is managed by 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) and by Údarás Na Gaeltachta. As the Deputy will be aware, many rural areas benefit from the services provided by the RSS and the positive impact the scheme has on the livelihoods of farming families and rural communities.
Supervisors employed to support RSS participants have a contract of employment with the LDC employing them, in line with statutory requirements. The terms and conditions of supervisors, including issues regarding the pay rate, are a matter for the LDCs.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of appeal in the case of a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing can be arranged in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4467/17]
View answerI am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an appeal was registered on 22 November 2016, and in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Appeals Office contacted the person concerned and asked her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal.
The grounds of appeal were received in this case on 21 December 2016 and in accordance with the statutory requirements of the appeals process the relevant departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal have been be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will consider if the appeal can be determined on a summary basis based on the documentary evidence presented or if an oral appeal hearing is required.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
344. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection further to his commitment to review the issues and concerns for seasonal and part-time workers and their entitlement to jobseeker's benefit, the progress to date and the further steps he plans to take in order to solve the ongoing problems for these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4580/17]
View answerDuring the Dáil report stage debate on the Social Welfare Bill 2016 I agreed that I would ask my officials to examine the issue of jobseeker's benefit and the treatment of part-time and seasonal workers, including those categorised as having subsidiary employment.
Work has commenced with a view to having a report ready by the end of March/early April 2016. This report will be presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection for their consideration. This timeframe for this report is ambitious but I am committed to producing the report as quickly as possible so that it can inform Budget 2018 discussions.
Because this report is still being drafted, it is not yet possible to provide further information on the findings of the report.
345. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will take immediate steps to amend the regulations and rules pertaining to eligibility for participation in the Tús and Gateway schemes, to permit persons with disabilities to take up positions on these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4696/17]
View answerTús and Gateway are work placement initiatives which aim to provide work opportunities for those who are long-term unemployed and on the live register for a specific period. The eligibility criteria are in line with the Government’s policies to focus resources on maintaining the work readiness and employability of jobseekers on the live register. In order to maintain this focus, persons in receipt of disability/illness-related payments and certain other payments from the Department are not eligible for selection for Tús or Gateway. However, they are eligible for a range of other activation initiatives which include the rural social scheme, community employment, back to work and back to education allowances, as well as other education and training supports.
Additionally, a range of supports designed specifically to support people with disabilities and employers (to offer and maintain job opportunities for people with disabilities) are funded and delivered by my Department. These include a wage subsidy scheme and resources to offset the costs of providing reasonable accommodation for the employment of a person with disability or restricted mobility. People with disabilities who wish to engage in employment may contact their local Intreo Office to arrange an appointment with a case officer who will assist them.
Persons in receipt of illness payments also have the option of claiming jobseeker's allowance instead if they wish to be considered for schemes such as Tús and Gateway, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
346. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff under the aegis of his Department in the clerical officer, staff officer or equivalent grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4941/17]
View answerCurrently there is a total of 3,730 Clerical and Staff Officers in the Department and in the agencies under the aegis of the Department.
|
Clerical Officer |
Staff Officer |
Temporary Clerical Officer |
Total |
|
|
Department of Social Protection |
2796 |
616 |
279 |
3691 |
|
Pensions Authority |
15 |
15 |
||
|
Citizens Information Board |
24* |
|||
|
3730 |
*CIB Breakdown
CO: 3
Grade III: 8
Grade IV: 10
Grade V: 3
347. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he will undertake with the US Administration to normalise the status of the undocumented Irish in the USA and to help their cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4634/17]
View answer358. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet the new Administration in the United States of America to discuss the situation of the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4291/17]
View answer361. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to help the undocumented Irish in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4612/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 347, 358 and 361 together.
Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future migration between Ireland and the US are longstanding Government objectives. We continue to be committed to these objectives notwithstanding the immigration policy agenda of the new Administration.
The Government has raised the issue of immigration reform with US interlocutors – including at the highest levels – on many occasions. I personally raised the issue when I met then-Secretary of State John Kerry in Co. Tipperary, on 30 October 2016. I also raised it when I spoke to Speaker Paul Ryan by telephone on 23 November 2016.
The Government has also availed of every opportunity to sensitise the incoming Administration to our concerns and interests regarding immigration reform, and the plight of the undocumented Irish in particular. The Taoiseach raised the matter in his separate telephone conversations with President Trump and Vice-President Pence in the days following the Presidential election.
I am very conscious that this is a time of worry and uncertainty for our undocumented Irish citizens in the United States. This issue will therefore be high on the agenda for my visit to Washington DC later this week. In my engagements with the new US Administration and Congress, I plan to avail of all appropriate opportunities to raise the plight of the undocumented Irish citizens and to explore any viable way of providing them with some measure of reassurance and relief. Moreover, the forthcoming St. Patrick’s Day engagements will provide a further opportunity to express to senior figures in the new Administration and Congress our concerns and policy objectives in relation to the undocumented.
The Government will continue to use high-level visits to and from the US, as well as Ireland’s diplomatic representation in the United States, to advance these aims. The Embassy in Washington has worked closely with members of the US Congress - in both the House of Representatives and the US Senate, and on both sides of the aisle – to advance progress on this matter and will continue to do so. We are fortunate to be able to draw on the assistance of the Friends of Ireland in Congress and the many representatives of Irish-America, who appreciate our concerns. I will be meeting some of these senior leaders this week in Washington and will ask for their continuing support for our undocumented citizens.
In addition to these political efforts, our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the United States will continue to engage with Irish community groups in relation to their concerns. On 12 January, Ambassador Anderson convened a meeting of senior immigration stakeholders at our Embassy in Washington in order to hear directly from those who work most-closely with the undocumented Irish.
We will also continue to support organisations that deliver frontline advisory services and community care to Irish emigrants through the Emigrant Support Programme. More than 70% of the funds allocated through this programme are directed towards welfare services, including in support of the undocumented Irish in the U.S. In the last funding round for the Emigrant Support Programme, organisations in the U.S. were allocated more than €2.3 million in funding.
The Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassy in Washington continue to work closely with Irish-American community leaders in actively pursuing all viable opportunities to advance immigration reform. We will encourage and promote any realistic possibilities for a solution that may arise.
348. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff within his Department who are allocated to work on Brexit-related issues full time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3755/17]
View answerFollowing the outcome of the referendum in the UK in June 2016 and in line with the Government’s contingency plans prepared in advance, additional capabilities and resources are being assigned to cover the complex process of the UK exit from the EU.
I am happy to set out the resources which are in place in my Department as of today. Within my Department, the key Divisions are the European Union Division and the Ireland, UK and Americas (IUKA) Division, both headed at Second Secretary General level. Additional resources have been assigned to both Divisions to cover the issues arising from the UK exit process. The European Union Division contains a specific team focused on the EU-UK negotiations. Within the IUKA Division, there are teams focused on Northern Ireland and on wider British-Irish Relations; their duties include Brexit related issues.
In effect, most branches of the Department at its headquarters in Dublin are involved in some way as part of the response to the UK exit, for example the Legal Division, the Trade Division and also the Policy Planning Unit. In addition, there is also an intra-Departmental senior management group on issues relating to the UK exit, chaired by the Secretary General and comprising senior officials from across all relevant business units of the Department.
In addition, a number of officers of my Department are seconded to the Department of the Taoiseach and working on EU matters, while two officers are seconded to the International and EU Relations Division of the Department of Finance.
In terms of Irish offices focused on work relating to the UK exit, specific posts have been assigned to our Embassies in London, Berlin, and Paris as well as the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels and at HQ in Dublin. The Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels has a unit dedicated to managing our response to this issue.
These measures comprise the initial phase of our response to the UK decision to leave the EU and matters remain under review as the Government carries out its work in response to the UK referendum decision and as preparations for the forthcoming negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU intensify.
In general terms, all of our diplomatic Missions across the EU and further afield are working on this issue.
349. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the Israel Defense Forces raid and demolition of the Palestinian Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran on 18 January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3829/17]
View answerI am aware of reports of the incident in question, including the tragic loss of two lives, and the effective demolition of the village, which had been threatened for some years.
The issue of the ‘unrecognised’ Bedouin villages in the Negev has been the subject of considerable political debate and legal action in Israel itself, as well as the subject of international attention, including here in Ireland, where we have discussed it before in the Oireachtas.
The issues are complex, but critical background must include the recognition that it can be very difficult for Bedouin or Arab villages to get official recognition or approval in Israel, and that many of these villages have been in situ for decades, their residents having been earlier expelled from their lands elsewhere in the Negev. It behoves Israel therefore to make every effort to resolve their position peacefully and by consent, so far as is possible.
One cannot but be struck therefore by the contrast with the enormous lengths to which the authorities go to avoid executing similar orders against Jewish settlements and outposts illegally constructed on Palestinian land, and the use of extensive physical force in this case, including recourse to live fire.
The Irish Ambassador in Tel Aviv met leaders of the Arab minority, including a number of members of the Knesset Joint List, last week, and received a detailed briefing on their concerns. The Embassy will continue to monitor developments consistent with the heavy demands on our limited resources in the region, including the issues in the occupied territory which must remain a primary focus of our efforts.
350. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of funding his Department has provided to an Irish arts centre in New York (details supplied) in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3986/17]
View answerThe Irish Arts Centre in New York has received funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme in support of its capital programme as follows:
|
YEAR |
VALUE € |
|
2007 |
€0 |
|
2008 |
€13,227 |
|
2009 |
€2,316,020 |
|
2010 |
€0 |
|
2011 |
€0 |
|
2012 |
€0 |
|
2013 |
€0 |
|
2014 |
€1,001,362 |
|
2015 |
€0 |
|
2016 |
€0 |
The Government is supportive of the redevelopment of the Irish Arts Centre in New York as it will provide a sustainable and modern flagship venue aimed at promoting Irish culture, engaging our large diaspora in America and in turn further deepening the strong bilateral relationship with the United States, which are key strategic priorities for Ireland.
Including funding from the Government of Ireland, funding of $54.25 million for this major $63 million project has been secured by the Irish Arts Centre from the City of New York, State of New York, foundations and private donors. This significant funding effort allowed important pre-construction work to begin at the end of 2016.
351. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has read the report by an organisation (details supplied), commissioned by his Department, to examine Irish Aid's programme in Uganda in 2010-2014, which was recently publicly released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4021/17]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade commissioned an independent evaluation of the Irish Aid Uganda Country Strategy 2010-2014, in line with standard practice. Such independent evaluations play an essential role in assessing the impact of the Irish Aid programme, identifying ways to improve on its delivery, and providing accountability for public funds spent.
The Uganda evaluation report, which was completed in 2015, included a number of important findings. Overall, it found that the Irish Aid programme delivered significant results in reducing poverty, expanding access to social services and generating awareness of gender and gender-based violence. It also documented the significant impact of Irish Aid’s investment in education in the poorest part of Uganda, the Karamoja region.
The evaluation report provided valuable recommendations to improve the delivery of the aid programme. Taking these recommendations into consideration, new Uganda Country Strategy, for the years 2016-2020, has streamlined and prioritised sectors in line with need and in areas where most progress is possible. The programme has a particular focus on the Karamoja region, focusing on education, HIV/AIDS prevention, social protection and governance.
The new Country Strategy also includes, as recommended, an explicit risk management system to safeguard our investment in development, and to ensure the Embassy can monitor and respond to any changes in the working environment. No funding is currently being channelled through the Ugandan public financial management system.
I am confident that the recommendations outlined in the 2015 evaluation have been taken on board in the new Strategy. I was pleased to launch this Strategy during my visit to Uganda in July 2016, where I witnessed first-hand how our aid programme is being delivered, and the impact it is having on the poorest and most vulnerable. The Strategy, and the Evaluation, are available on the Irish Aid website at www.irishaid.ie.
352. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department spent more than €70,000 moving works of art between embassies and ambassadors' residences in 2016; if his Department paid the National Gallery €25,504 to move paintings between the old ambassador's residence in Vienna to a new one, a distance of 8 km, in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4022/17]
View answerIn 2016, my Department spent €5,409 on moving works of art from Embassies and official diplomatic accommodation. In 2015, that figure came to €70,176.
Of the €70,176 expenditure in 2015, €25,504 was paid to the National Gallery of Ireland to transport eight works of art from the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland. Of these, four pieces were transferred back to the National Gallery of Ireland, with a further four art works moved within Vienna.
This work is highly specialized and this figure includes the de-installations of works at the previous official accommodation, specialist crating and packing services, overnight stop at a fine art warehouse in Cologne, travel expenses for an art specialist to supervise the works, and expenses for transport by road for the works returning to Ireland.
Promotion of Ireland’s culture, arts and creative industries through our Embassy network is a key element of the work of our diplomatic Mission network, as set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy. As such, we believe there is a significant value to Ireland in working with the National Gallery of Ireland and Irish Museum of Modern Art to promote culture and heritage, artists and their work internationally.
Art, along with craft, furniture etc., provides a means of showcasing Ireland to a wide and influential range of interlocutors. It is normal practice of all countries to display the arts and crafts of their countries in their Ambassadorial residences as a means of conveying the culture of the country that they are representing and promoting it.
