Written Answers Nos. 149-168
149. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for an auto enrolment pension system; the progress made to date on developing such a system; the cost implications of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25240/17]
View answerI have made pension reform a priority for my term as Minister for Social Protection. To this end I can confirm my intention to publish and commence the implementation of an Action Plan for the reform of pensions over the coming months.
In Ireland there is a significant retirement savings gap which sees just 35% of private sector workers with retirement savings to supplement the State pension. Therefore, and in addition to a range of other long term reform measures, this Action Plan will detail proposals for a transition from the current and purely voluntary supplementary pension system to one which will automatically enrol eligible employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. This reform, where the saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out, will encourage long term saving and asset accumulation amongst those who may otherwise suffer a reduction in living standards at retirement and will increase the well-being, financial security, and independence of future retirees.
Following the publication of this Action Plan and in order to guide future Government decisions, the detailed evidence building and consultation required to deliver automatic enrolment will be undertaken over an initial project planning phase. To this end, and to develop an understanding of potential future expenditure requirements, this evidence building will provide a basis for fundamental choices regarding the preferred operational structure and organisational governance for the system. Decisions around design parameters such as the required contributions, financial incentives and target membership will also impact on expenditure requirements. Correctly positioning/designing each of these parameters will be fundamental to the success of any system.
Subject to any Government decision regarding the manner in which this project should be progressed, it is my objective that first members would be enrolled in the new system in 2021. This project timeframe reflects the scale of such a programme and its importance as being the most fundamental reform of the Irish supplementary pension system in generations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
150. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to develop a pension tracing system; the preparatory work required to develop such a system; the cost implications of implementing such a system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25241/17]
View answerMy Department has arrangements in place to assist with member tracing. Where the administrator of a pension scheme or a life company is unable to trace a member using their own resources they can use my Department’s host mailing service. Following discussions between my Department, the Pensions Authority and the Irish Association of Pension Funds, a revised protocol was put in place in October 2013. The protocol sets out the Department’s requirements for organisations using the host mailing service. The pension provider must have made an unsuccessful attempt to contact the scheme member. The Department will forward letters to the last known address of the member based on its records if this address differs from that which the pension provider has.
From 2013 (relating to the 2012 tax year), P35 returns from employers are collecting the Pensions Authority reference number of any scheme operated by the employer to which the employees contribute. The collection of this data will, in time, facilitate a linkage of an employee’s PPSN with the reference number(s) of the scheme of which they were a member.
There is currently no tracking service in Ireland that will allow deferred scheme members to trace their pension entitlements. Such a system is likely to be costly to establish. My Department’s meetings with industry have indicated that in many cases they can find owners of funds through their own searches or by utilising the Department’s host mailing system. As such, they may be reluctant to take on the costs of providing information and maintaining data in a tracking service at this stage.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
151. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing jobseeker's allowance for those from 18 to 24 years of age from its current rate of €102.70 to €105.00, €110.00, €120.00, €130.00, €140.00, €150.00, €160.00, €170.00, €180.00, €190.00, €193.00 and €200.00, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25242/17]
View answer152. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing jobseeker's allowance for persons who are 25 years of age from its current rate of €147.80 to €150.00, €160.00, €170.00, €180.00, €190.00, €193.00 and €200.00 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25243/17]
View answer156. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing each working age payment by €3.00, €4.00, €5.00, €6,00, €7.00, €8.00, €9.00 and €10.00 respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25247/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 152 and 156 together.
The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following series of tables.
Table 1: Cost of increasing the reduced rate payable to Jobseeker’s Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients aged 18 to 24 years of age
|
Increasing the weekly rate of €102.70 (payable to 18 to 24 year olds) to: |
Cost €m |
|
€105.00 |
2.80 |
|
€110.00 |
8.80 |
|
€120.00 |
20.80 |
|
€130.00 |
32.90 |
|
€140.00 |
44.90 |
|
€150.00 |
56.90 |
|
€160.00 |
68.90 |
|
€170.00 |
81.00 |
|
€180.00 |
93.00 |
|
€190.00 |
105.10 |
|
€193.00 |
108.70 |
Table 2: Cost of increasing the reduced rate payable to Jobseeker’s Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients aged 25 years of age
|
Increasing the weekly rate of €147.80 (payable to 25 year olds) to: |
Cost €m |
|
€150.00 |
0.45 |
|
€160.00 |
2.50 |
|
€170.00 |
4.50 |
|
€180.00 |
6.50 |
|
€190.00 |
8.60 |
|
€193.00 |
9.20 |
|
€200.00 |
10.60 |
Table 3: Cost of increasing all working age payments (i.e. weekly payments for those under 66 years of age) by varying amounts
|
Scheme |
Full year cost of a €3 increase €m |
Full year cost of a €4 increase €m |
Full year cost of a €5 increase €m |
Full year cost of a €6 increase €m |
Full year cost of a €7 increase €m |
Full year cost of a €8 increase €m |
Full year cost of a €9 increase €m |
Full year cost of a €10 increase €m |
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
||||||||
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
4.79 |
6.39 |
7.98 |
9.58 |
11.18 |
12.77 |
14.37 |
15.97 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
0.65 |
0.87 |
1.08 |
1.3 |
1.52 |
1.73 |
1.95 |
2.17 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
9.53 |
12.71 |
15.88 |
19.06 |
22.24 |
25.41 |
28.59 |
31.77 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
0.19 |
0.25 |
0.32 |
0.38 |
0.44 |
0.51 |
0.57 |
0.63 |
|
Disablement Pension |
0.92 |
1.23 |
1.53 |
1.84 |
2.15 |
2.45 |
2.76 |
3.07 |
|
Illness Benefit |
8.70 |
11.60 |
14.50 |
17.4 |
20.30 |
23.20 |
26.1 |
29.00 |
|
Injury Benefit |
0.21 |
0.28 |
0.35 |
0.42 |
0.49 |
0.56 |
0.63 |
0.70 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
0.17 |
0.23 |
0.28 |
0.34 |
0.40 |
0.45 |
0.51 |
0.57 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
5.49 |
7.32 |
9.15 |
10.98 |
12.81 |
14.64 |
16.47 |
18.30 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
0.42 |
0.56 |
0.70 |
0.84 |
0.98 |
1.12 |
1.26 |
1.40 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.02 |
0.02 |
0.03 |
0.03 |
0.03 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
3.27 |
4.36 |
5.45 |
6.54 |
7.63 |
8.72 |
9.81 |
10.90 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
0.16 |
0.21 |
0.27 |
0.32 |
0.37 |
0.43 |
0.48 |
0.53 |
|
Total Social Insurance Schemes |
34.51 |
46.01 |
57.52 |
69.02 |
80.52 |
92.03 |
103.53 |
115.03 |
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
||||||||
|
Blind Person's Pension |
0.21 |
0.28 |
0.35 |
0.42 |
0.49 |
0.56 |
0.63 |
0.70 |
|
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
0.23 |
0.31 |
0.38 |
0.46 |
0.54 |
0.61 |
0.69 |
0.77 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
0.02 |
0.03 |
0.03 |
0.04 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.06 |
0.07 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
6.37 |
8.49 |
10.62 |
12.74 |
14.86 |
16.99 |
19.11 |
21.23 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
5.51 |
7.35 |
9.18 |
11.02 |
12.86 |
14.69 |
16.53 |
18.37 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
1.51 |
2.01 |
2.52 |
3.02 |
3.52 |
4.03 |
4.53 |
5.03 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
0.08 |
0.11 |
0.13 |
0.16 |
0.19 |
0.21 |
0.24 |
0.27 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
32.94 |
43.92 |
54.90 |
65.88 |
76.86 |
87.84 |
98.82 |
109.80 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (€102.70 rate) |
1.90 |
2.53 |
3.17 |
3.8 |
4.43 |
5.07 |
5.7 |
6.33 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (€147.80 rate) |
0.48 |
0.64 |
0.80 |
0.96 |
1.12 |
1.28 |
1.44 |
1.60 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
0.05 |
0.07 |
0.08 |
0.1 |
0.12 |
0.13 |
0.15 |
0.17 |
|
Disability Allowance |
21.05 |
28.07 |
35.08 |
42.1 |
49.12 |
56.13 |
63.15 |
70.17 |
|
Farm Assist |
1.64 |
2.19 |
2.73 |
3.28 |
3.83 |
4.37 |
4.92 |
5.47 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
1.71 |
2.28 |
2.85 |
3.42 |
3.99 |
4.56 |
5.13 |
5.70 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
2.02 |
2.69 |
3.37 |
4.04 |
4.71 |
5.39 |
6.06 |
6.73 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
4.11 |
5.48 |
6.85 |
8.22 |
9.59 |
10.96 |
12.33 |
13.70 |
|
TÚS - Community Work Placement Initiative |
1.57 |
2.09 |
2.62 |
3.14 |
3.66 |
4.19 |
4.71 |
5.23 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
0.54 |
0.72 |
0.90 |
1.08 |
1.26 |
1.44 |
1.62 |
1.80 |
|
Gateway |
0.26 |
0.35 |
0.43 |
0.52 |
0.61 |
0.69 |
0.78 |
0.87 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
2.77 |
3.69 |
4.62 |
5.54 |
6.46 |
7.39 |
8.31 |
9.23 |
|
Total Social Assistance Schemes |
84.97 |
113.29 |
141.62 |
169.94 |
198.26 |
226.59 |
254.91 |
283.23 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
119.48 |
159.31 |
199.13 |
238.96 |
278.79 |
318.61 |
358.44 |
398.27 |
It should be noted that the costings listed above include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant. It should also be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018.
153. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the current expenditure on the school meals programme in 2017; the full year cost of increasing expenditure on this programme by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25244/17]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,460 schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of some €47.7 million in 2017. The funding for the scheme was increased this year, as part of Budget 2017, by an additional €5.7 million (almost 14% over the previous year’s allocation) which will benefit over 50,000 children.
In recent years priority for new applications for funding had been given to schools which are part of the DEIS programme. From September 2016 additional funding is available to all DEIS schools to provide breakfast and lunch to the majority of pupils. Budget 2017 funding also provides for the inclusion in the scheme, from September 2017, of up to 245 new schools and 47,000 children. This includes support to schools being brought into DEIS and the extension of the scheme to breakfast clubs in non-DEIS schools, which is the first time in many years that increased funding for school meals is available to non-DEIS schools.
Based on the 2017 budgetary allocation of €47.7 million, the additional annual costs of expanding the school meals programme by 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% are €2.4 million, €4.8 million, €7.2 million and €9.5 million respectively. Changes to increase the funding of any scheme administered by my Department would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
154. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if all Intreo offices are fully accessible to persons with a disability; if not, the estimated cost of making all offices accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25245/17]
View answerWhen works were being carried out to existing buildings to convert them to Intreo Centres, universal accessibility was incorporated into the design where it was feasible. In a small number of situations it was not feasible to incorporate full universal accessibility as part of the Intreo roll out. My Department is in contact with the OPW in relation to these particular offices and identifying necessary works.
In relation to the request for an estimated cost to make all offices accessible, each project was costed individually as the works required, with the scale and complexity varying greatly from building to building. The OPW is our agent in respect of all such works and responsible for estimating the cost of the works and carrying them out.
155. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the schemes and payments that fall under his Department's remit in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25246/17]
View answerThe following table details the various schemes operated by my Department and the financial allocations by scheme for 2017 (as published in the 2017 REV estimates):
DSP: DETAILED PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE BY SCHEME/SERVICE - [VOTE 37 + SIF]
|
- |
Expenditure Breakdown |
2017 Rev |
|
ADMINISTRATION |
||
|
A1 |
Administration - Pay |
294,703 |
|
A2 |
Administration - Non-Pay |
254,910 |
|
Social Insurance Fund non-DSP administration |
93,000 |
|
|
TOTAL - ADMINISTRATION |
642,613 |
|
|
PENSIONS |
||
|
A3 |
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
971,980 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
4,844,500 |
|
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
1,444,400 |
|
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
8,230 |
|
|
TOTAL PENSIONS |
7,269,110 |
|
|
WORKING AGE INCOME SUPPORTS |
||
|
A4 |
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2,161,670 |
|
A5 |
One Parent Family Payment |
501,980 |
|
A6 |
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
13,690 |
|
A7 |
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
1,290 |
|
A8 |
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments |
85,420 |
|
A9 |
Farm Assist |
82,800 |
|
A10 |
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
2,660 |
|
A11 |
Other Working Age Supports |
|
|
A11.1 |
Exceptional and Urgent Needs |
31,500 |
|
A11.2 |
Other Supplements (including heating and light) |
4,560 |
|
A.11.3 |
Humanitarian Aid |
500 |
|
A.11.4 |
Direct Provision Allowance |
3,700 |
|
A11 |
Total Other Working Age Supports |
40,260 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
342,910 |
|
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
71,150 |
|
|
Maternity Benefit |
266,400 |
|
|
Adoptive Benefit |
270 |
|
|
Paternity Benefit |
16,000 |
|
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
420 |
|
|
Redundancy and Insolvency Payments |
30,500 |
|
|
Treatment Benefits |
||
|
Treatment Benefits - Dental |
30,335 |
|
|
Treatment Benefits - Optical Benefit |
10,025 |
|
|
Treatment Benefits - Medical & Surgical Devices |
8,000 |
|
|
Total Treatment Benefits |
48,360 |
|
|
TOTAL WORKING AGE - INCOME SUPPORTS |
3,665,780 |
|
|
WORKING AGE - EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS |
||
|
A12 |
Community Employment Programme |
353,000 |
|
A13 |
Rural Social Scheme |
47,660 |
|
A14 |
Tús - Community Work Placement |
124,820 |
|
A15 |
Job Initiative |
19,270 |
|
A16 |
Community Services Programme |
46,190 |
|
A17 |
Back to Work Allowance |
119,560 |
|
A18 |
National Internship Scheme - JobBridge |
15,000 |
|
A19 |
Back to Education Allowance |
105,000 |
|
A.20 |
Gateway |
7,250 |
|
A.21 |
Back to Work Family Dividend |
14,400 |
|
A22 |
JobsPlus |
20,400 |
|
A23 |
Wage Subsidy Scheme |
25,900 |
|
A.24 |
Other Employment Supports |
|
|
A.24.1 |
Assistance towards training for BTW participants |
4,300 |
|
A.24.2 |
Technical Employment Support Grant (funded from National Training Fund) |
2,800 |
|
A.24.3 |
Credit Union loan guarantee scheme |
20 |
|
A.24.4 |
Part Time Job Incentive |
2,800 |
|
A.24.5 |
Activation and Family Support Programme (AFSP) |
790 |
|
A.24.6 |
Special payments to long term unemployed and lone parents |
10 |
|
A.24.7 |
Drugs Task Force |
660 |
|
A.24.8 |
European and Other Initiatives |
1,250 |
|
A.24.9 |
Local Employment Service |
20,300 |
|
A.24.10 |
Jobs Clubs |
6,000 |
|
A.24.11 |
EmployAbility Service |
9,740 |
|
Pre-Activation for people with Disabilities |
2,000 |
|
|
A.24.12 |
Disability Activation and Employment Supports * |
2,400 |
|
A24 |
Total Other Employment supports |
53,070 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
14,500 |
|
|
TOTAL WORKING AGE - EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS |
966,020 |
|
|
ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND CARERS |
||
|
A25 |
Disability Allowance |
1,416,170 |
|
A26 |
Blind Pension |
13,480 |
|
A27 |
Carer's Allowance |
694,000 |
|
A28 |
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
138,000 |
|
A29 |
Carer's Support Grant |
180,900 |
|
Illness Benefit |
589,700 |
|
|
Injury Benefit |
19,580 |
|
|
Invalidity Pension |
661,580 |
|
|
Disablement Benefit |
75,270 |
|
|
Medical Care |
350 |
|
|
Carer's Benefit |
33,970 |
|
|
TOTAL - ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND CARERS |
3,823,000 |
|
|
CHILDREN |
||
|
A30 |
Child Benefit |
2,091,530 |
|
A31 |
Family Income Supplement |
422,500 |
|
A32 |
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
37,400 |
|
A33 |
School Meals |
47,500 |
|
A34 |
Other Child Supports |
|
|
A34.1 |
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
6,510 |
|
A34.2 |
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (Non-Contributory) |
430 |
|
A34 |
Total Other Vote 37 funded Child Related Payments |
6,940 |
|
SIF Funded Child Related Payments |
||
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
12,660 |
|
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (Contributory) |
6,000 |
|
|
Total SIF Funded Child Related Payments |
18,660 |
|
|
TOTAL - CHILDREN |
2,624,530 |
|
|
SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS, AGENCIES AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES |
||
|
A35 |
Rent Supplement |
252,600 |
|
A36 |
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
4,120 |
|
A37 |
Household Benefits Package [Vote 37 + SIF] |
|
|
A37.1 |
Electricity Allowance |
157,540 |
|
A37.2 |
Gas Allowance |
19,500 |
|
A37.3 |
Free Television Licence |
55,170 |
|
A37.4 |
Telephone Allowance |
0 |
|
Total Household Benefits Package [Vote 37 + SIF] |
232,210 |
|
|
A38 |
Free Travel |
80,000 |
|
A39 |
Fuel Allowance [Vote 37 + SIF] |
229,060 |
|
A40 |
Grant to the Citizens Information Board |
54,050 |
|
A41 |
Office of the Pensions Ombudsman |
950 |
|
A42 |
Miscellaneous Services |
|
|
A42.1 |
Rent allowance (de-control of rents legislation) |
430 |
|
A42.2 |
Recoupment of superannuation expenses to The Pensions Board |
173 |
|
A42.3 |
Expenses incurred by Social Welfare Tribunal |
1 |
|
A42.4 |
Grants - Information & Welfare rights |
686 |
|
A42.5 |
EU Community Action Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (Progress) 2007 to 2013 |
0 |
|
A42.6 |
Social Inclusion Initiatives |
80 |
|
A42.7 |
Ex gratia payments to women from Magdalen Laundries and other Institution |
3,100 |
|
A42.8 |
Food Aid |
4,000 |
|
A42.9 |
Training for Carers in areas of economic and social disadvantage (funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund) |
1,500 |
|
A42 |
Total Miscellaneous Services Funded By Vote 37 |
9,970 |
|
TOTAL - SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS, AGENCIES AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES |
862,960 |
|
|
GRAND TOTAL DSP EXPENDITURE ON SCHEMES, SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION |
19,854,013 |
157. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons working in the social welfare appeals office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25248/17]
View answerThere are currently 82 staff members (77.65 FTE) working in the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
My Department, like all Government departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
Appeal processing times are kept under constant scrutiny by the Chief Appeals Officer. The Deputy will be aware that significant effort and resources have been devoted in recent years to reducing the length of the time taken to finalise an appeal and that as a consequence processing times have improved quite considerably.
158. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing each rate of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance by €10.00, €20.00, €30.00, €40.00 and €50.00 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25249/17]
View answerThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €37.4 million for the scheme in 2017.
End of year records show that under the 2016 BSCFA scheme, payments were made to over 154,000 families in respect of some 283,000 children. The rate of payment was €100 in respect of children aged 4 to 11 and €200 for children over 12 years in second level education.
Using the total number of children covered by the scheme in 2016 as a basis, the additional cost to increase the BSCFA rates by the amounts listed per age group is set out in the attached tabular statement. Changes to increase the rate of payment of any scheme administered by the Department would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Full -Year Additional Cost to Increase BSCFA rates by amounts listed:
|
Age 4-11 years (166,000 Children) |
Age over 12 years (117,000 Children) |
||
|
Increased Payment Amount |
Cost of Increase |
Increased Payment Amount |
Cost of Increase |
|
€10 |
€1.66 million |
€10 |
€1.17 million |
|
€20 |
€3.32 million |
€20 |
€2.34 million |
|
€30 |
€4.98 million |
€30 |
€3.51 million |
|
€40 |
€6.64 million |
€40 |
€4.68 million |
|
€50 |
€8.30 million |
€50 |
€5.85 million |
159. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to revise the farm income threshold for persons wishing to take part in the rural social scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the fact the current threshold is set very low at €409 per week, that those struggling to survive on low family incomes as in the case of a person (details supplied) are precluded from partaking in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25258/17]
View answerThe Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is a supplementary income support initiative which provides part-time employment opportunities in community and voluntary organisations for low-income farmers and fishermen/women who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and under-employed in their primary occupation. The Government is very committed to the RSS and this commitment was clearly demonstrated by the announcement of an additional 500 places in Budget 2017, the first increase in places since 2006. This measure, allied with my reversal of the previous cuts to Farm Assist, is evident of this Government’s commitment to rural Ireland.
The Deputy will appreciate that my Department must ensure that only eligible customers benefit from its schemes. This also applies to people who are participating on the RSS. Eligibility for participation on the RSS remains limited to those in receipt of certain specified social welfare payments and all participants must be also actively engaged in farming or fishing whilst maintaining an underlying entitlement to Farm/Fish Assistance. One of the conditions of these payments is the requirement to satisfy a means test. Payments can be reviewed at any stage to ensure that participants continue to satisfy the underlying conditions.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, a review of means was carried out by the Local Intreo Office and it has been determined that the weekly means of the person referred to is in excess of the statutory limit for receipt of Farm Assist. As there has been no additional information received to warrant a further review of the household means, this decision still stands. Therefore, it is not possible to renew the RSS contract of the person concerned. I have no plans at present to further revise the income threshold applicable for RSS participants.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the means by which a person (details supplied) can get the required permission from the father of their child in view of the fact their child has qualified for entitlement to Irish citizenship in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25126/17]
View answerThe Passport Service is obliged under the Passports Act, 2008 to obtain the consent of all guardians before issuing a passport to a minor. If a minor has only one guardian, the Passport Service can accept the consent of that guardian and a sworn Sole Guardian Affidavit. If a minor has two guardians but one guardian is unavailable or unwilling to provide consent, a court order is required dispensing with the consent of that guardian.
In this particular case, the position is that the applicant has two guardians –the mother and father. Only the consent of the applicant’s mother is given on the passport application form. The Passport Service cannot proceed with the application without either the father’s consent or a court order dispensing with it.
It should be noted that the requirement for the consent of guardians is in the interests of child protection. The issue of consent is separate as such to the citizenship of the child.
161. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to update the Civil Service pension scheme for new entrants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25077/17]
View answerThe Single Public Service Pension Scheme (Single Scheme) was introduced for new entrants to the public service, including the civil service, from 1 January 2013. The Deputy's question relates to the proposed establishment of a facility for the purchase of retirement benefits under the Single Scheme and for the transfer of certain retirement benefits to that Scheme.
There is no specific provision in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 which established the Single 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. Consistent with the structure of the Single Scheme, it is intended that the Regulations will allow Single Scheme members to purchase additional pension and lump sum referable amounts to augment pension benefits accrued under the Scheme. Under the new facility, it is expected that each purchase agreement will be entered into and completed on an annual basis and paid for either by way of a lump-sum contribution or by periodic deductions from salary, where the Relevant Authority offers such a facility. The Regulations are also expected to 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 and other considerations and the intention is to bring forward Regulations on the new scheme as soon as these considerations are complete.
162. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to extend participation in the public service up to and including the current and planned age of entitlement to the contributory State pension; if primary legislation is required for a change in the compulsory retirement age for public servants; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25123/17]
View answerAn Interdepartmental Working Group, chaired by my Department, was established early in 2016 to examine the issues arising from prevailing retirement ages for workers in both the public and private sectors, in the context of the current age of entitlement to the State Pension and the scheduled increases to the State Pension age in 2021 and 2028.
The Group, whose Report was agreed by Government last August, considered policy around retirement age in both the public and private sectors, examining implications arising from retirement ages now and in the future. The Group identified a set of framework principles to underpin policy in the area and made a number of recommendations assigned to Government Departments and Employer bodies for follow-up in that regard. A copy of the Report is available online at http://www.per.gov.ie/en/report-of-the-interdepartmental-group-on-fuller-working-lives/.
On foot of one of the recommendations of the Report, my Department, with Public Service employers, was tasked to review the current statutory and operational considerations giving rise to barriers to extended participation in the public service workforce up to and including the current age of entitlement to the Contributory State Pension. This review is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the current quarter. Future policy in this area will be considered by Government following the outcome of the review.
Any change to the compulsory retirement ages for public servants will require primary legislation.
163. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an address (details supplied) is mapped as a flood risk area; his views on the situation whereby persons cannot get insurance for a home they are looking to buy in these circumstances; and the options available for the persons involved. [25192/17]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland are developing Flood Maps as part of the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and in accordance with the requirements set out in the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC). The CFRAM Programme is focusing on 300 areas, including this area - called Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) - that were designated in 2012 as being at potentially significant future risk from flooding.
The OPW is over the coming months finalising the Flood Risk Management Plans that will include the final Flood Maps for the 300 AFAs and will be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval. While the OPW Flood Maps do not designate individual properties as being at risk, the draft CFRAM flood extent mapping to date shows flooding along areas of Shannon Terrace predicted to occur in the 10%, 1% and 0.1% AEP events.
While the Minister for Finance has overall responsibility for the Government’s flood insurance policy, to assist insurance companies assess the risk and take into account the protection provided by completed OPW flood defence schemes, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. This Memorandum sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas. To date OPW has provided details to Insurance Ireland on 17 completed schemes nationally and Insurance Ireland has advised that flood insurance cover is included in 83% of policies in these defended areas. The OPW has recently provided details on a further completed scheme to Insurance Ireland.
The decision on whether to offer insurance, level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis.
The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk to individual properties and it has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW Flood Maps to inform its flood modelling.
Any person with an insurance-related query or complaint can contact Insurance Ireland's Insurance Information Service (01 676 1914 or iis@insuranceireland.eu). In addition, the Financial Services Ombudsman (1890 88 20 90) deals independently with unresolved complaints from consumers about their individual dealings with all financial service providers.
Following the severe flood events in Dublin of October 2011, the Camac catchment in the Eastern CFRAM, in which Kilmainham is situated, was accelerated through the process outlined above. While no overall cost-beneficial solution was found for the Camac catchment within the CFRAM study, OPW proposed to Dublin City Council (DCC) that DCC lead on a study to investigate whether viable options exist for more localised areas within the Camac catchment. This study is now being progressed by DCC and South Dublin County Council with assistance and funding provided by OPW.
In addition to this study, significant remedial flood works were carried out by DCC in 2014 on the Camac in Kilmainham under the Minor Flood Relief Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This work consisted of the construction of almost 100 metres of new reinforced flood defence walls and the strengthening of existing walls at the rear of properties in Kilmainham. This work has provided a high level of protection against flooding to the properties in this area.
164. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) working in the public sector can have their contract of employment extended beyond 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/17]
View answerThe position with regard to the retirement age of the employee concerned is determined by his contract of employment.
With regard to mandatory retirement age in general, this is a public service wide issue. The terms and conditions of employees in the public service is generally a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context an Interdepartmental Working Group on Fuller Working Lives, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was established in early 2016 to examine issues from prevailing retirement ages for workers in both the public and private sectors.
The Report of this Group was agreed by Government in August 2016. The report identified a set of framework principles to underpin policy in the area and made a number of recommendations assigned to Government Departments and employer bodies for follow-up. On foot of the recommendations in this report the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been tasked with reviewing the current statutory and operational considerations giving rise to barriers to extended participation in the public service workforce up to and including the current and planned age of entitlement to the Contributory State Pensions. This work is currently underway and expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2017. Any future proposals will be considered in the context of the outcome of the work of this group.
165. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the steps that will be taken by his Department to raise awareness of Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25061/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to question numbers 192 & 213 on 18 May 2017 which sets out the actions taken to raise awareness of Lyme disease.
166. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the supports in place for persons diagnosed with Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25062/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
167. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of Lyme disease tests carried out that have given negative results and subsequently proved positive following tests in Germany and UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/17]
View answer168. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if the Lyme disease test carried out here is in line with international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25064/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to question numbers 209 to 211 on 17 May 2017. As I stated in my reply, all clinical (and other) laboratories in Ireland must undergo continuous quality assurance to ensure that the quality of the diagnostics they provide is maintained to the highest international level for human diagnostics. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on testing for Lyme borreliosis in other EU Member States who may use different standards for testing to those used in Ireland. As testing and treatment for Lyme borreliosis is widely available in Ireland there is no requirement for people to travel to other EU Member States to access these services.
