Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 625-646

CLÁR Programme

Questions (625)

Dara Calleary

Question:

625. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects approved under CLÁR measures 1, 2, 3 and 4 since the programme was re-established on an annual basis by county; the number of projects that were not approved by county; the main reasons for refusal; if there is an appeal mechanism to appeal refusal decisions; the funding allocated for approved projects in each county under the CLÁR programme annually; and the amount expended on approved projects annually and to date in 2018 in each county under CLÁR in tabular form. [50160/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not available within the timeframe required to respond to this question. However, I have my officials to collate the information requested and I will forward it to the Deputy in the coming days.

A deferred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Community Development Initiatives

Questions (626)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

626. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, in the context of the allocation of funding throughout 2019, he expects to further improve conditions in both urban and rural settings throughout the country, with particular reference to concerns expressed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50182/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I refer the Deputy to the reply to her parliamentary question 231 of 21 November 2018, in which I outlined the key objectives of my Department in relation to improving the quality of life in urban and rural communities and the main policy and programme supports currently being delivered by my Department.

In relation to next year’s funding allocations, Budget 2019 has provided a 51% increase in Capital funding, and an 11% increase in Current funding, resulting in a total gross allocation of €293million for the Department. This is a 27 per cent (€62 million) increase on 2018 and reflects the scale of the Government's ambition and policy commitments to continue to support a diverse range of initiatives aimed at strengthening rural economies and communities.

Budget 2019 sees the beginning of the process of investment under the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). This provides unprecedented opportunities to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. Importantly, the first projects to be supported under the Fund will begin in 2019 and an allocation of €55 million has been made available for this purpose. I announced the first round of category 1 RRDF funding allocations on 23 November 2018 and will make further announcements early in 2019.

Additional funding of €3.3million was secured for Library Development, bringing the total to €7.2million for 2019, while funding for the Walks Programme will double to €4million. An extra €2.4million of supports will be provided for measures under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan.

I also welcome the increased funding provided for communities in the West and in border areas through the Western Development Commission and the PEACE Programme respectively.

The Revised Estimates will be published in December and will set out the definitive allocations for the coming year.

I am very pleased that increased investment to support rural and community development throughout this country is at the heart of the Government’s plans in 2019. The significant increase in funding outlined in the Budget reflects the commitment to advancing economic and social progress in rural Ireland and to the development of vibrant and sustainable communities across Ireland.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (627)

Niall Collins

Question:

627. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the public events he attended, by county, since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50289/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I am providing the Deputy with the following table listing the public events I attended by county since 1 May 2018.

In addition, my diaries are published and made available on my Department’s website on a quarterly basis.

Month 2018	County	Public events Minister Michael Ring attended by county since 1 May 2018
May		Event
03.05.18	Kildare	Opening of new Library, Athy
04.05.18	Mayo	Launch the 2018 Féile Chois Cuain, Louisburgh
06.05.18	Mayo	Official opening of Achill GAA Club, Achill
09.05.18	Dublin	Attended 1916 Easter Rising Ceremony, Arbour Hill, Dublin 7
18.05.18	Mayo	Officially open the new facility at Tonragee National School, Tonragee, Achill
18.05.18	Mayo	Opening of Michael O'Malley Tarmacadam office and 40 Year Celebration, Ballynew Castlebar
21.05.18	Mayo	Funding announcement at Céide Fields, Ballycastle
23.05.18	Dublin	Photocall to Launch IWS 10 Year Drowning Prevention Strategy, Waterways Ireland Docklands Office, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 4
24.05.18	Kilkenny	Official Visit to Kilkenny
25.05.18	Mayo	Official opening of MUGA and newly resurfaced carpark-Clare Lake/McMahon Park, Claremorris
25.05.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Playground in Turlough, Turlough, Castlebar
25.05.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Leeson Enterprise Centre, Westport
26.05.18	Mayo	Official Launch of the Louisburgh Order of Malta Ambulance, Louisburgh
June		Event
01.06.18	Roscommon	Opening of Kilteevan playground, Kilteevan
03.06.18	Mayo	Official opening of Westport Horse and Pony Show, Westport
14.06.18	Dublin	Launch of Library Strategy- Lexicon, Dun Laoghaire
14.06.18	Mayo	Launch of Painting Exhibition for Ms. Kay Brennan, Claremorris
18.06.18	Mayo	Turning of the sod at Kilcommon GAA Club, Kilcommon
18.06.18	Mayo	Official Opening of Kilmaine Walk, Kilmaine
22.06.18	Mayo	O'Malley Clan Rally Chieftain's Reception, Westport
23.06.18	Mayo	Unveiling of Marine Trail Board-Dooega, Achill
25.06.18	Mayo	Presentation of the Small Grant Scheme Cheques on behalf of Mayo Sports Partnership, Castlebar
29.06.18	Mayo	Official Opening of Carnacon Handball Alley, Carnacon
July		Event
03.07.18	Dublin	Attendance at Reception to mark the 242nd Anniversary of the Independence of the USA, Ambassador's Residence, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
13.07.18	Mayo	Rural Sectoral Launch for Project Ireland 2040, Westport
14.07.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Achill Seal Caves Caravan and Camping Park, Dugort, Achill
26.07.18	Mayo	Official opening of a section of road and perform the sod turning for new section of road on the N59, Kilmeena, Westport
29.07.18	Mayo	Opening of Ballinrobe Agricultural Show, Ballinrobe
August		Event
04.08.18	Mayo	Opening of Claremorris Handball Alley, Claremorris
05.08.18	Mayo	Opening of the 100th Claremorris Agricultural Show, Claremorris
06.08.18	Mayo	Official opening the Bonniconlon Agricultural Show, Bonniconlon, Ballina
16.08.18	Galway	Official opening of the Connemara Pony Show, Clifden Show Grounds
17.08.18	Mayo	Opening of the Green Flag Community Awards, Gortnafolla, Turlough
21.08.18	Mayo	Opening a completed Town and Village Scheme, Knock
26.08.18	Mayo	Attended Papal visit to Knock Shrine
31.08.18	Mayo	Failte Ireland Service Excellence Awards, Westport
31.08.18	Mayo	Strategic Investment Launch, Ballycroy National Park
September		Event
08.09.18	Mayo	Official opening the Exhibition of Church Artefacts and Memorabilia, St. Patrick's Church, Newport
10.09.18	Mayo	Open IFA National Hill Farming Forum, Westport
13.09.18	Offaly	LEADER Forum, Tullamore
17.09.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Westport Primary Care Centre, Westport
20.09.18	Offaly	Panel discussion on Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities, National Ploughing Championships, Screggan, Tullamore.
21.09.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Claremorris Primary Care Centre, Claremorris
21.09.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Ballinrobe Primary Care Centre, Ballinrobe
22.09.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Fahy Rovers AFC Pitch, Fahy, Westport
24.09.18	Dublin	Presentation of Tidy Towns Awards, The Helix, Dublin 9
26.09.18	Dublin	Official opening of Kevin St. Library, Kevin St, Dublin 8
27.09.18	Donegal	Official visit to Donegal
29.09.18	Mayo	Official switch on of the lights at the Green in Ballinrobe as part of the European Week of Sports, Ballinrobe
October		Event
05.10.18	Mayo	Address at the Irish Uplands Forum, Mulranny
06.10.18	Mayo	Westport Order of Malta 75th Anniversary Celebrations, Westport
08.10.18	Mayo	Launch of the Muintir na Tire Carbon Monoxide Programme, Claremorris
11.10.18	Roscommon	Funding announcement at Edgeworthstown Library, Edgeworthstown
12.10.18	Leitrim	Official opening of Rossinver Community Centre, Rossinver
12.10.18	Leitrim	Launch the new brochure for the Ballroom of Romance, Glenfarne
12.10.18	Mayo	Present Certificates at Westport College of Further Education Graduation Ceremony, Westport
18.10.18	Dublin	Visit to Lourdes Day Care Facility, Dublin City Centre
19.10.18	Mayo	Official opening of Commercial Kitchen at Teach Greannai, Rossport, Ballina
19.10.18	Mayo	Official opening of Carrowtigue Playground, Carrowtigue
19.10.18	Mayo	Raising of the Green Flag for Aughalasheen National School, Aughalasheen
19.10.18	Mayo	Presentation of Certificates at Teagasc Green Cert Graduation Ceremony, Castlebar
20.10.18	Mayo	Official opening of Famine Exhibition, Ballina Civic Offices, Ballina
25.10.18	Dublin	Launch of Pobal's Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and 2017 Annual Report, Molesworth ST, Dublin 2
26.10.18	Mayo	Official opening of new branch of Heat Merchants, Castlebar
26.10.18	Mayo	Official opening of the Cairde Club/Dolmen Clubhouse, Castlebar
27.10.18	Mayo	Attend In Humber's Footsteps 220th Anniversary, Kilcummin
November		Event
02.11.18	Mayo	Official opening of Belmullet Sewerage Scheme, Belmullet
03.11.18	Mayo	Official opening of Newport Handball Alley, Newport
06.11.18	Kilkenny	Presentation of Tidy Towns Regional Awards, Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny
07.11.18	Dublin	Launch of Be Winter Ready Campaign-give keynote speech, Kildare St, Dublin 2
09.11.18	Mayo	Official opening of Kilmeena Playground, Kilmeena, Westport
16.11.18	Mayo	Official opening of Belcarra Playground and River Walk, Belcarra
23.11.18	Sligo	Announcement of Rural Regeneration Fund Category 1 Funding Announcements, Sligo
30.11.18	Mayo	Opening of Visitor Centre and attendance at launch of flights from Knock to Cologne and launch of Ryanair 2019 summer schedule, Ireland West Airport, Knock
30.11.18	Mayo	Official opening of Foxford, Killala and Charlestown Sewerage Scheme, Foxford
30.11.18	Mayo	Official opening of Tia (Café, Deli, Bakery), Louisburgh

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (628)

Kate O'Connell

Question:

628. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of contracts and-or tenders that have been awarded to a company (details supplied); the value of these contracts, that is, the amount the company has been paid; the services the contracts were for; and the number of public sector and-or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company. [50369/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I can confirm that my Department has not awarded any contracts or tenders to the company in question.

National Indemnity Scheme for Landowners

Questions (629)

Noel Grealish

Question:

629. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeframe for the publication of a national indemnity scheme to indemnify private landowners against recreational users of their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50448/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The introduction of a National Indemnity Scheme has been, and continues to be, a key priority for my Department to support the continued provision of access to the countryside for recreational users on a permissive access basis.

My Department has been working to develop a scheme to indemnify private land owners with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes. In this context, my officials have been in contact with the State Claims Agency and the Attorney General's Office with a view to progressing the matter.

My Department has been advised that the proposed indemnity scheme should be underpinned by legislation, and my officials are now in the process of identifying the precise legislative requirements and/or processes required give effect to the scheme.

I have asked my officials to prioritise this work and to develop clear proposals to have the scheme progressed and rolled out as soon as possible on a phased basis.

Seniors Alert Scheme

Questions (630)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

630. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the groups providing personal alarms through the seniors alert scheme in west County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50884/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Pobal administers the Seniors Alert Scheme on behalf of my Department.

As of 31 October 2018, there were 660 organisations registered to operate the scheme, including 100 organisations throughout the county of Cork. The list of registered groups, their areas of operations and their contact details can be accessed through the Pobal website https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/seniors-alert-scheme-sas/.

Pensions Legislation

Questions (631)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

631. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the regulations in place to oblige trustees of pension funds to regularly update their members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50149/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Pensions Act 1990, as amended, requires trustees of occupational pension schemes in specified circumstances and within certain time limits to disclose certain information to members, prospective members, their spouses, other scheme beneficiaries, the Pensions Authority, and members' representative bodies.

The information to be provided by trustee to scheme members includes: (a) details about the constitution and rules of the scheme, (b) certain basic information about the scheme, and (c) details of an individual's benefit entitlements under the scheme.

The trustees of schemes must also arrange for actuarial valuations, valuation reports, annual audited accounts, annual reports and, where appropriate, an annual actuarial data return to be prepared and made available, subject to certain exceptions and alternatives. In addition, the Pensions Authority may request the trustees or the employer to furnish such information as it may require by notice in a written request. The Authority may impose time limits for the furnishing of such information.

Regulations under the Act, in particular S.I. No. 301/2006 - Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure Of Information) Regulations, 2006, as amended, sets out regulations for the disclosure of information by occupational pension schemes.

The Pensions Authority’s Trustee Handbook provides guidance for trustees on how to achieve compliance with the Pensions Act and other relevant legislation and includes a section on the disclosure of information requirements.

The Act and its regulations set down minimum requirements, which do not prevent trustees from providing more information or from making such information more readily available.

School Meals Programme

Questions (632)

Seán Haughey

Question:

632. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the provision of jelly and ice cream was initially unapproved by her Department as part of a school meals programme for a special needs school (details supplied) and then was subsequently approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50420/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children at a total cost of €54 million in 2018 representing an increase of €6.5 million over the previous year. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

Applicants to the scheme are directed to the Department’s website which clearly advises that funding is for healthy nutritious food only and examples of food items are provided. Access to various healthy eating documents and guidelines are available on the school meals site including a link to 'Nutrition Standards for School Meals'.

Schools and organisations must reapply for funding in advance of each school year and are required to submit detailed records at the end of each school year. Expenditure on unhealthy food items is deducted from the following year’s funding allocation.

An application was received from the School which indicated that some expenditure on items was ineligible. The application was reviewed by the Department in consultation with the school and a revised application was submitted and paid in full by the Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Questions (633)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

633. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to make provision for pension entitlements to community employment scheme supervisors. [50456/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

As the Deputy is probably aware Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. They are not employees of my Department or public servants. My Department funds wages and training costs in respect of CE participants and supervisors – it does not and has not provided provision for funding for CE supervisor pensions.

On foot of the Labour Court recommendation, the issue of CE supervisor pensions is currently being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A number of Departments, including my own Department, are represented on this group, as are the unions and Pobal.

A detailed scoping exercise was carried out with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland. The exercise clearly illustrated that this matter presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost to the State of €188 million per annum in respect of funding to enable an employer pension contribution in State funded Community and Voluntary organisations, excluding any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could, depending on the size of the sector, entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.

I am very conscious that any provision of State funding for such a scheme in respect of those employees could potentially give rise to claims for similar schemes on the part of those in the broader sector, thus crystallising the potential level of liability. Any solution to this issue will require careful consideration, in particular the implications for scarce Exchequer resources.

Social Insurance Yield

Questions (634, 635, 636)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

634. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated revenue that would be raised by each one percentage point increase in employers' PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50569/18]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

635. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated revenue that would be raised by each one percentage point increase in employers’ PRSI on salaries over €100,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50570/18]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

636. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost in increasing the employers' PRSI threshold to exclude income under €24,752 from PRSI. [50571/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 634 to 636, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table.

	Revenue/Cost	Employments affected
1% Increase in Employer's PRSI	€778.6m	2,950,241
1% increase in employer's PRSI on salaries over €1,923 per week	€69.12m	247,218
Increasing the employers’ PRSI threshold to exclude income under €24,752 from PRSI.	€474.6m	930,102

These estimates are based on PRSI Class A contributions. They use the latest available data and reflect macro-economic indicators for 2019. They also reflect the planned increase in the lower threshold for employer PRSI from €376 to €386 from 1 January 2019.

It should be noted that these estimates do not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from changing rates of contribution.

Departmental Funding

Questions (637)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

637. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funding and-or grant aid her Department has made to an association (details supplied) from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the purpose for which the funding and or grant aid was released to the association; if the way in which the funding and-or grant aid is used is audited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50065/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

My Department has not provided funding or grant aid to the association referred to by the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (638)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

638. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an illness benefit payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50076/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned has been processed and all arrears owing to her have been issued. The claim is now closed as this customer has returned to work.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (639)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

639. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an illness benefit payment due since 8 October 2018; when payment will be restored; when the arrears will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50080/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is paid up to the 1st December 2018 and all arrears owing to her have been issued.

If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work after the 1st December 2018, further medical certificates should be submitted to the Department for payments to issue after this date.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (640)

Barry Cowen

Question:

640. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the external consultant reports commissioned by her Department in each of the years from March 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the cost of these; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [50095/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Occupational Injuries Benefit Payments

Questions (641)

Tom Neville

Question:

641. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an illness benefit for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50122/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Occupational Injury Benefit claim for the person concerned has been processed and any arrears owing to him will issue shortly.

The claim is medically certified up to the 30th November 2018.

If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Questions (642)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

642. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct monetary payment due to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50125/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned made an application for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basic payment. As she is a full-time student and is not participating in the Back to Education Scheme the application was disallowed under the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act Section 190(1). The person concerned is in receipt of a maintenance payment from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (643)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

643. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50130/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this gentleman on 5 October 2018. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Questions (644)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

644. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 625 of 10 November 2018, if the person (details supplied) qualifies for this payment or, alternatively, disability allowance, having regard to their condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50184/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

My Department administers the Illness Benefit scheme to those customers who cannot work because they are sick or ill provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

The person concerned does not qualify for a payment of Illness Benefit as he does not satisfy the second PRSI qualifying condition which is as follows:

39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions. If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, then 13 paid contributions in one of the following tax years can be used instead:

- Either of the two tax years before the relevant tax year

- The last complete tax year (before the year in which your claim for Illness Benefit begins)

- The current tax year

or

26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, and 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

The relevant tax year is the second-last complete tax year before the year in which the claim for Illness Benefit begins.

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability which as a result of, they are substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person's age, experience and qualifications. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical examination and a means test. It is open to the person concerned to make an application for DA.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Questions (645)

Alan Kelly

Question:

645. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if moneys received by a recipient of disability allowance in respect of the person's participation in a medical clinical trial directly related to the person's chronic illness is reckonable for means; if there is a disregard available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50185/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social welfare legislation provides that for social assistance schemes, including disability allowance, all income and assets belonging to a claimant, and his or her spouse/partner where applicable, is assessable for means testing purposes. The purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need for income supports by the State.

Specific disregards apply for certain sources of income. Where a person in receipt of disability allowance is engaged in employment, the first €120 per week of earnings is fully disregarded in the means assessment, with earnings between €120 and €350 per week assessed at 50%. The Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018, currently before the Seanad, includes a provision to remove the legislative requirement that this employment be of a rehabilitative nature.

There is currently no specific disregard in legislation in respect of payments made for participating in a clinical trial. However, if the payments constitute employment or self-employment, then the disregards above would apply.

Any changes to the means assessment of social assistance schemes would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.

Redundancy Payments

Questions (646)

Alan Kelly

Question:

646. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are scenarios in which jobs clubs have not been closed down but the staff have received redundancy packages. [50186/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Job Club employment services are delivered by a variety of community based organisations via a contract for service. Job Club staff are employees of these organisations and therefore redundancy payments would be a matter for them to address.

The Department would not ordinarily be involved unless a contractor / employer is unable to pay statutory redundancy to employees, in which case it is open to them to avail of my Department’s redundancy and insolvency payments’ scheme, details of which are available on my Department's welfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.