Written Answers Nos. 179-198
179. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative responsibility of each of the various stakeholders that operate in public transport; the mechanism in place for co-operation and co-ordination; and his views on whether there is a duplication of roles (details supplied). [22791/18]
View answerThe establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, has improved the mechanisms in place for the cooperation and coordination of public transport.
Under the legislation, the NTA is the body responsible for securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and for preparing a transport strategy to provide a long term strategic planning framework for the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA The National Planning Framework includes a policy objective to extend the NTA's statutory responsibility for transport planning beyond the GDA to encompass all of our cities. This will strengthen the levels of integration between spatial planning and transport planning across the country.
With regard to the other stakeholders mentioned by the Deputy, TII and the local authorities are required to act in a manner that is consistent with the NTA's transport strategy. Dublin Bus, Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann operate public transport services on the basis of contracts entered into with the NTA in respect of the non-commercial services operated.
Legislation governing TII is provided for under the Roads Act 2015. Legislation governing Córas Iompair Éireann is provided for under the Transport Act, 1950, as amended. Legislation governing the CIÉ subsidiary companies is provided for under the Transport (Reorganisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act, 1986, as amended. Legislation governing the local authorities is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
The NTA has extensive powers which reflect the importance of public transport service integration. The mechanism for cooperation and coordination between the various stakeholders is a matter for the individual stakeholders but I am satisfied that there is appropriate cooperation and coordination between them and that there is no duplication of roles.
180. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of the longer 55 m Luas trams in operation on the Green Line-Cross City Luas; if the seven 55 m trams which were projected to be rolled out by May 2018 have not yet been rolled out; if so, when he anticipates they will all be in operation; his plans for further increases in the number of trams operating on Luas lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22837/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware seven new 55m-long trams were ordered as part of the Luas Cross City project which opened last December. I am happy to state that six of these trams have now been delivered with five in regular service and one currently being commissioned prior to placing in service. The seventh and final tram of this batch is scheduled to be delivered to Sandyford Depot by the end of May.
The Green Line Capacity Enhancement project, which was approved by Government last year, is the next step in the medium term to further expand capacity, especially at peak hours, so as to cater for future demands along the Luas Green Line.
The project involves the lengthening of the 26 existing Green line trams from 43 metres to 55 metres and the purchase of a further 8 new 55 metre-long trams which will greatly increase the passenger capacity of the fleet to meet future passenger demand. The project also includes modifications to Sandyford Depot to accommodate the maintenance of the longer trams.
The contract for the tram extensions was signed and the order placed in November 2017 with the first tram extension anticipated to be delivered in late 2019. Work is progressing on the procurement process for the 8 new trams. Construction work at Sandyford Depot is ongoing and is due for completion in the first quarter of next year.
A necessary complementary investment project, known as the Green Line Infrastructure Upgrade - an investment project to lengthen the platforms at the existing Green Line stations - was completed towards the end of last year and enables the use of the new, longer trams.
181. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost in 2019 if the budget for the senior alert scheme was increased by 15%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22796/18]
View answerThe allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2018 is €2.3m. The scheme was successfully re-launched late last year and I am pleased to advise the Deputy that to date the revised scheme has been a resounding success. By end of April, 7,559 applications had been approved, representing an increase of 133% over the same period in 2017.
My officials are carefully monitoring the scheme with a view to ensuring that the current levels of demand can continue to be met from within the resources available to my Department. The allocation for 2019 will be determined in the context of the Estimates.
182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a CLÁR grant will issue to a school (details supplied). [22807/18]
View answerCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on the 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for CLÁR 2018 was 30th April and more than 400 applications have been received. I can confirm that an application in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy has been received.
My officials are currently assessing all applications submitted under the 2018 CLÁR programme and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks.
183. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will request Pobal to maintain the current staffing complement at a club (details supplied) in County Kerry until the appraisal of its business plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22815/18]
View answerThe Community Services Programme (CSP) supports around 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
The organisation in question is approved for funding under the CSP until end-December 2018. In late April it submitted an application for funding for the period 2019-2021. My Department requested Pobal to invite the organisation to formally submit a business plan, the next stage in the process, and a decision will be made in due course.
My Department has, this week, requested Pobal to extend the current CSP funding to the organisation pending completion of the re-contracting process.
184. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actions being taken to protect the defined benefit pension scheme of over 1,000 members (details supplied) on 30 June 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22864/18]
View answerWhile it is not appropriate for me to comment on an individual pension scheme, I am aware of recent announcements regarding the pension scheme in question and plans to close the scheme to future accrual. Neither I nor the Pensions Authority has the power under legislation to intervene to compel an employer to continue to make contributions to a scheme. Even where a scheme is closed to new members or to future accrual of benefits, the sponsoring employer role continues in relation to that scheme.
Almost all Irish defined benefit schemes have a rule that allows the employer to cease contributions, usually after a notice period. Currently there is no legislative obligation on the employer to make contributions and no further liability on the employer where contributions cease. Neither is there an obligation on the employer to give notice to members or to consult in advance of ceasing contributions.
However, in the case where a restructuring of benefits is proposed, the employer and the trustees of a pension scheme are required to notify scheme members, beneficiaries and the authorised trade unions. Furthermore, changes made to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Section 50 and 50B) Regulations in 2015 require trustees to also notify groups representing the interests of pensioners and deferred scheme members in a scheme in such a situation.
The Roadmap for Pensions Reform, which was published recently, details specific measures that will modernise our pension system. It sets out under Strand 4, ‘Measures to Support the Operation of Defined Benefit Schemes’, that the Government is committed to advancing the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017. The purpose of this Bill is to respond to the ongoing difficulties in DB schemes and to increase protections for members as well as encouraging employers to ensure that schemes are well funded and managed.
The general scheme of the Bill, which was published in May 2017, contained a number of key measures relating to DB pension schemes. These proposed provisions will ensure that an employer cannot “walk away” at short notice from the pension scheme it is supporting by providing a 12 month notification period where an employer is seeking to cease making contributions to a scheme. The amendments seek a middle road between the current position where employers can abandon DB schemes and full and immediate debt on employer provisions. The measures will act to support existing provisions in the Pensions Act and will provide for further protection for scheme members’ benefits and enhance employer responsibilities for their schemes.
The amendments also provide for more frequent monitoring of the financial position of schemes and will further provide that, where a scheme is in deficit and a funding proposal has not been put in place in a timely manner, the Pensions Authority may direct steps to be taken to ensure that the scheme meets the funding standard.
It is important to note that if this new legislation is enacted, a scheme will have to give a minimum notice period of twelve months before contributions can be stopped. However, it will not prevent a company from ceasing contributions once the minimum notice period is served provided the scheme meets the Minimum Funding Standard.
These provisions are quite technical and complex. Work to finalise them is at an advanced stage and I hope to be in position to bring forward the amendments at Committee Stage at the end of May or early June. With the cooperation of the Oireachtas, the Government intends to pass this legislation before the summer recess.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
185. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a scheme (details supplied). [22742/18]
View answer186. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a scheme (details supplied). [22746/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
It is the responsibility of the employer to pay pension contributions on behalf of his/her employees to Pension Trustees. In the event that a company becomes insolvent and a liquidator or receiver is appointed over the company, claims for certain arrears of pension contributions can be submitted by the liquidator or receiver for payment under the Insolvency Payments Scheme.
The Insolvency Payments Scheme operates under the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Act 1984, as amended. The purpose of the insolvency payments scheme is to protect certain outstanding pay-related entitlements due to employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer. These include wages, holiday pay, sick pay, payment in lieu of minimum notice and certain pension contributions.
All such claims are subject to the conditions and limits laid out in the Protection of Employees (Employer’s Insolvency) Act, 1984 as amended.
Defined pension claims have been received in respect of some former employees of McCormick Macnaughton. There are complex legal issues involved on which the Department is seeking legal advice. The matter will be kept under continuing review.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
187. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progression rates of each job activation programme including JobPath by region in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22761/18]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
188. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures being taken to ensure that community employment schemes are adequately budgeted to meet their obligations in view of the high rise in insurance costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22762/18]
View answerThe annual budget provided to Community Employment (CE) schemes includes an amount to cover consumable services and materials, including insurance, necessary for the effective operation of the project.
The responsibility for insuring CE schemes rests with the CE sponsoring organisation (the legal employer). My Department is aware that there has been an increase in insurance premiums for CE schemes over recent years. The main reason cited for this is an increase in claims frequency by such schemes. In the first instance, my Department recommends that schemes seek alternative quotes to ensure they get value for money. Also, if CE schemes are not filling their contracted number of participants, it is recommended that they align their insurance requirement with actual participant numbers.
Insurance premium costs are reimbursed from the CE materials budget for the scheme. However, if a scheme is experiencing particular difficulties with insurance costs, the Sponsor should contact their local DEASP officer to discuss the issue.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
189. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the staffing numbers and roles in each Intreo office in County Wicklow; the number of jobs advisers in each of her Department's offices in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22763/18]
View answerThe following table shows the number of permanent staff working in my Department’s offices in County Wicklow as at the end of April 2018.
|
Location |
Staff |
Full-time equivalent |
|
Arklow |
32 |
30.55 |
|
Bray |
46 |
43.44 |
|
Wicklow Town |
7 |
6.80 |
|
Total |
85 |
80.79 |
Due to the multi-faceted nature of the work undertaken by the staff in the Department, it is not possible to give a breakdown of the roles undertaken in each office.
The role of job adviser is analogous to that of a Case Officer in my Department’s Intreo service. The number of Case Officers in my Department’s offices in Wicklow is contained in the following table.
|
Location |
Staff |
FTE |
|
Arklow |
3 |
2.6 |
|
Bray |
5 |
4.3 |
|
Wicklow Town |
2 |
2.0 |
|
Total |
10 |
8.9 |
190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22772/18]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18 April 2018. 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 2 May 2018 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 Employment Affairs and 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.
191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if assistance is available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22773/18]
View answerThe person concerned has been advised to contact the Designated Officer on next Thursday 24 May 2018 between 10.30am and 12 noon, at Kenmare Intreo Centre, Bridge Street, Kenmare, Co. Kerry. The Designated Officer will review the person’s circumstances and means and determine if they are entitled to any supports. If they have taken up employment by then this contact with our Community Welfare Service can be made by telephone
192. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an appeal for a jobseeker's payment by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22774/18]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 April 2018. 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 14 May 2018 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 Employment Affairs and 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.
193. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has calculated the estimated cost to the State of bogus self-employment per annum; if so, the potential cost per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22786/18]
View answerThe report on “The use of intermediary-type structures and self-employment arrangements: Implications for Social Insurance and Tax Revenues” was published on 31 January 2018. This followed a public consultation which received 24 submissions from interested parties, including employers, trade unions, professional bodies and individuals.
The report found that the available data does not indicate that self-employment is accounting for any significant increased share of the labour force, and accordingly the perception of the level of disguised employment or false self-employment may be overstated. While the report indicates that intermediary employment arrangements can be abused to the detriment of workers and can distort the transparent and efficient operation of the labour market, it also notes that contract for service arrangements can provide flexibility, in many instances, for both businesses and workers, where they are freely chosen by both parties.
The report estimates potential losses based on various employment and earnings scenarios. The potential loss from various self-employment arrangements ranges from c €5,000 per annum at average industrial earnings, c €9,000 per annum at an earnings level of €60,000 and c €15,000 per annum at a salary of €100,000.
There are an estimated 15,000 people employed in personal service companies and managed service companies. The estimated gain to the Exchequer and Social Insurance Fund would be between €30 and €60 million per annum if a proportion of these workers (25 to 50 per cent) were employed under a contract of service and subject to PAYE.
On 7 May last, my Department began a significant campaign through national media on false self-employment, to raise awareness of the service it provides to determine people’s correct employment status. This campaign, which was recommended in the report, is aimed at ensuring that there is better public awareness of the important service the Department provides in determining employment status. The campaign response should help the Department in better understanding the scale and nature of false self-employment.
194. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) cannot obtain another year on the rural social scheme. [22805/18]
View answerThe rural social scheme (RSS) provides opportunities for farmers and fishermen/women who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments to work to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. To remain eligible to participate on the scheme the participant must be actively farming or fishing and have an underlying entitlement to Farm/Fish Assistance/Jobseekers Allowance.
The RSS is a supplementary income support scheme designed specifically for those whose income falls below a certain limit. One of the conditions pertaining to the scheme is the requirement to satisfy a means test. The means assessment for RSS includes income that the participant and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has and in addition to any capital or property (except their own home). Payment of RSS is not taken into account when assessing the weekly means. Unfortunately, there is no provision to allow a participant to remain on the scheme if they do not satisfy the eligibility criteria, when their current contract expired.
If the person in question has new or additional information to warrant a change in the means already assessed he should notify my Department immediately. A further review will be carried out by my Department on receipt of any new facts relating to the persons means which should supported by documentary evidence.
195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the financial supports in place for unemployed persons eligible for, and in receipt of, jobseeker's allowance to transition into educational opportunities in respect of upskilling for employment for higher level diplomas and other qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22814/18]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is designed to support certain recipients of social welfare payments to pursue courses of education with the objective of improving their chances of accessing work. To qualify, a customer must satisfy a number of conditions such as, inter alia, being a certain age, in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, and pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college.
With respect to jobseekers, the qualifying period for the second level option is three months while the qualifying period for third level courses is nine months prior to the date of commencement of the course. A person awarded statutory redundancy may access BTEA immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established. Periods on eligible social welfare payments that are not broken by more than twelve months can be combined in determining the required qualifying period for BTEA.
A Higher level diploma (H.Dip) in any discipline can be approved for jobseekers. However, applicants holding a qualification at tertiary education level (certificate, diploma, primary degree or post graduate qualification) are not approved under the BTEA to pursue a course at a similar or lower qualification level. Nonetheless, the BTEA may be approved if a person holds a level 8 Honours degree and wishes to pursue a Higher Diploma at Level 8.
BTEA is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for persons pursuing education. The eligibility rules that govern the payment of a student maintenance grant are a matter for that Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
196. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the jobseeker’s payment to education sector employees with integrated pension arrangements of which the State pension, contributory, forms a component part in the period between a contractually specified retirement date on or around a persons 65th birthday and 66th birthday will continue to be made to those who do not opt to participate in the temporary retention arrangement set out in Department of Education and Skills circular 0027/2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22848/18]
View answerThere is no statutory retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the standardising of State pension age for all at 66 years and the cessation of State pension transition. The State pension age will increase to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
Where a person exits the workforce before reaching State pension age they may apply for either the jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance schemes. Jobseeker’s payments are paid to eligible jobseekers aged 18 to 66 years. The State pensions both contributory and non-contributory are both paid from age 66. As such a person cannot receive a jobseekers payment and the State pension at the same time.
People in receipt of a jobseeker's payment must engage with my Department's activation measures and can face sanctions if they fail to do so. However, from January 2014 these criteria were eased for people aged 62 and over. They are still able to voluntarily avail of an array of supports, which are available from my Department if they wish to return to work, training or education. Furthermore, the majority of these individuals will have to register with their local office only once a year and their payments will be paid directly into their bank accounts.
Once a person has exhausted their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit they may be eligible for jobseeker’s allowance, subject to the means test and other qualifying conditions. However, in the case as described above where someone claims jobseeker’s benefit payment after their 65th birthday, they would continue to be eligible for that payment until reaching State pension age which is currently 66 years of age and therefore, they would not need to make a claim for jobseeker’s allowance.
197. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for the delay in publishing the wind farm planning guidelines; the reason for the current policy towards onshore industrial size wind farming in sensitive landscapes such as County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22753/18]
View answerMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These Guidelines offer advice to planning authorities on planning for onshore wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission. The Guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development.
As part of the overall review of these Guidelines, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive.
SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process. Following a tendering process, my Department appointed SEA experts in December 2017 to assist in this regard. It is expected that a public consultation on the revised draft Guidelines, together with the comprehensive environmental report, will be commenced before end-Q2 this year, with the aim of issuing the finalised Guidelines, following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions and views received during the consultation phase, later in 2018.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
198. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the report of the expert group on mica published in 2017; if he will respond to a group's (details supplied) invitation to launch the publication of recommendations Nos. 1 and 2 in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22737/18]
View answerI have received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, and a reply to the correspondence has been issued from my Department.
The Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo.
The panel had the following terms of reference:
(i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the Counties of Donegal and Mayo;
(ii) To carry out a desktop study, which would include a consultation process with affected homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, testing laboratories, industry stakeholders and other relevant parties, to establish the nature of the problem in the affected dwellings;
(iii) To outline a range of technical options for remediation and the means by which those technical options could be applied; and
(iv)To submit a report within six months.
On 13 June 2017, the report of the Expert Panel was published and included eight recommendations which my Department are actively progressing with the relevant stakeholders.
My Department is prioritising the implementation of Recommendations 1 and 2.
With regard to Recommendation 1, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Technical Committee, established to scope and fast track the development of a standardised protocol, held its inaugural meeting on 11 September 2017 and has held several further meetings since. The standardised protocol will inform the course of action in relation to remedial works for all affected householders. My Department understands from the NSAI that the Technical Committee is in the process of finalising the standardised protocol, which will be available for public consultation in the coming weeks and will run for a period of six weeks.
With regard to Recommendation 2, my Department has been in contact with Engineers Ireland in relation to the establishment of a register of competent engineers for homeowners/affected parties’ reference. Engineers Ireland have provided assurance that they will collaborate with the Department, the NSAI and others on measures to establish such a register once the standardised protocol is in place.
Last year I visited Donegal and Mayo and met with key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, elected members and officials of the local authorities and other interested parties. On 18 December 2017, I again visited Donegal and met with key stakeholders to provide an update on the progress to date. I made a similar visit to Mayo on 26 January 2018.
I would be pleased to accept the invitation to visit Donegal again, once the standardised protocol is in place, in order to provide a further update on progress at that time.
In addition, and in light of the information contained in the report, I am currently considering what further actions may be required to assist the parties directly involved in reaching a satisfactory resolution to the problems that have emerged in the two counties.
