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Wednesday, 23 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 183-207

Light Rail Projects Expenditure

Questions (183)

Barry Cowen

Question:

183. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of the Luas cross city by each stage of the project, that is, planning, construction and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43726/19]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including light rail. 

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Road Projects Expenditure

Questions (184)

Barry Cowen

Question:

184. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the original expected cost of the Westport to Castlebar road; the most up-to-date expected cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43727/19]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national road projects is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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

Córas Iompair Éireann

Questions (185)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

185. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a house adjacent to a railway track (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43775/19]

View answer

Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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

Road Safety Authority

Questions (186)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

186. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if documents on this matter will be referred to the RSA for further investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43803/19]

View answer

Written answers

This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.  I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

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

Childcare Services Funding

Questions (187)

Brendan Smith

Question:

187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase the grant aid in 2020 towards the upgrading or provision of new childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43849/19]

View answer

Written answers

A key priority for me as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is to support the early learning and care and school age childcare sector through the provision of capital funding, where it is most needed. 

Each year my Department reviews the capital programmes as a whole and determines the priorities for Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital grants for the year ahead. I have allocated significant funding in recent years for this purpose and for improving the quality of infrastructure nationwide.

Capital strands are made available to achieve the strategic priorities for the year as determined by the Department, having regard to the funding available, developed using analysis of the current state of the childcare sector, learnings from previous capital programmes and feedback and input from stakeholders, including childcare providers and Pobal.

The Capital programmes are necessarily a budget limited exercise. Therefore, the maximum grant size available under each of these strands is determined in consideration of both optimising what can be delivered by each individual grant, as well as maximising the amount of providers and children that will ultimately benefit from the funding.

Planning for 2020's Capital offering is currently underway and the details of this will be communicated to providers in due course.

Childcare was identified as a strategic priority in the National Development Plan (2018-2027) and €250m in capital funding was secured for childcare under the plan. This represents the kind of large scale investment in the sector by the State that has not been undertaken since the earlier National Childcare Investment Programme that concluded in 2010.

This investment will be essential to respond to the increased capacity we expect as the new National Childcare Scheme is introduced. The NCS will radically change how this country supports the cost of early learning and care and school age childcare.

Research is on-going to determine areas of specific need that the NDP funding will address when it comes on stream in the coming years. The exact shape and priorities of this funding is currently being developed: more information will be made public on childcare plans under the NDP as it becomes available.

Childcare Services Funding

Questions (188)

Brendan Smith

Question:

188. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the level of grant aid will be increased to enable community childcare providers upgrade or provide additional childcare places in circumstances in which there is a proven demand for such facilities and in which large scale expenditure would be necessary to undertake such projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43850/19]

View answer

Written answers

One of the key priorities for my Department's capital programme is supporting private and not for profit childcare providers to extend their existing services, or to establish new services, where need or demand exists. 

My Department has had an unprecedented increase of 137% for early learning and care and school age childcare in the past five budgets. This extra investment has supported a doubling of capacity in the sector, including both ECCE and the 0-3 age group.

Each year my Department reviews the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare sector to determine how the Capital funding available can best be invested.

The decision on where to target capital spending to support policy aims is informed by an analysis of the current state of the childcare sector, learnings from previous capital programmes and feedback and input from stakeholders, including childcare providers and data from Pobal and other sources.

In previous years the Department has invested greatly in both privately run or operated by community or not for profit preschool providers in creating and maintaining Early Childhood Care and Education places within their services.

Furthermore, in recent years, capital funding has been made available for the maintenance and improvement of community early learning and care services. This funding is made available in order to protect previous state investment where it exists, as many community services were set up through significant capital investment under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP 2000-2006) and/or the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP 2006-2010), and to assist not-for-profit services which may lack the financial capacity to invest significant portions of their own funds into maintenance or improvement works.

In order to maximise the number of service providers and families who benefit from Early Years and School Age capital funding, limits on the individual grant sizes awarded are necessary. Focus on smaller individual grant sizes, as in previous single-year capital programmes, means that projects could ultimately be funded with the available budget. This also enabled us to build capacity gradually across a wider geographical spread, responding to the increased demand that exists all around the country due to the new initiatives I have introduced to support access to affordable and high quality childcare.

Planning for 2020's Capital offering is currently underway within my Department. The details of this will be communicated to providers in due course.

Childcare was identified as a strategic priority in the National Development Plan (2018-2027) and €250m in capital funding was secured for childcare under the plan.

The NDP funding will allow us return to funding larger scale, multi year projects. Research is on-going to determine areas of specific need that the NDP funding will address when it comes on stream in the coming years. The exact shape and priorities of this funding is currently being developed: more information will be made public on childcare plans under the NDP as it becomes available.

Community Services Programme

Questions (189)

Jack Chambers

Question:

189. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 16 October 2019, if he will address further concerns by management at the community centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43700/19]

View answer

Written answers

In my response to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 16 October 2019, I outlined the supports that are provided by my Department to urban community centres such as Huntstown.

In that response, I also provided detail on the specific supports that were provided recently to the Huntstown community centre. As referenced by the Deputy the supports provided did cover both capital measures (for specific minor upgrades) and current measures (under the Community Services Programme).

I recognise that there is likely to be a substantial further capital requirement for the upgrades needed in the centre and note that Fingal County Council has offered to make a contribution to the upgrade.

I acknowledge the centre's view that the funding offered by Fingal County Council is less than what is required but I understand that the there is continued contact between the centre and the council to work towards a solution.

Community Enhancement Programme Funding

Questions (190)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

190. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps he will take to ensure that funding support is provided to a community (details supplied) for a sensory garden in the locality. [43720/19]

View answer

Written answers

My Department provides a range of supports to communities and groups nationwide in both urban and rural areas, helping citizens to participate in the development of their communities and providing funding to improve facilities.

The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP)  is one such funding stream under which the community group referred to may be eligible to apply for funding towards the provision of  a sensory garden.

The CEP is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) on behalf of this Department.  Typical projects funded can include the renovation of community centres, community amenities, improvements to town parks, common areas and spaces, CCTV equipment and energy efficiency-type projects. 

In 2019, under the CEP, this Department provided funding of €4.5m for capital grants to community groups, with €212,306 allocated to the Dublin City Council area.  While the 2019 programme is closed, it is likely to be open again in 2020 and will be advertised in each Local Authority area.  

Dublin City Council may also have funding available through community grants schemes.  For more information the group should be advised to contact Dublin City Council, Community and Social Development Section, by telephone 01 222 2148 or email  community@dublincity.ie

The group should also be advised to contact their Local Development Company (Northside Partnership Ltd.) who can also help with information about any grants that become available from other sources.

Community Development Initiatives

Questions (191)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

191. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which the expenditure Estimates in Vote 42 of Budget 2020 will enable his Department to fully implement the strategy for the community and voluntary sector in Ireland and the first national social enterprise policy for Ireland during 2020. [43721/19]

View answer

Written answers

In August 2019, I launched Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. This followed the publication of Ireland's first National Social Enterprise Policy in July.

While I acknowledge that the delivery of some of the actions outlined in these important policy initiatives will take time, I am fully committed to achieving the objectives set out in both.

The Strategy sets out a long-term vision for our communities in Ireland and will entail far-reaching changes across Government and the community and voluntary sector. The Strategy was co-produced by Government and the Community and Voluntary Sector through a Cross Sectoral Group (CSG) established for that purpose. The implementation of actions in the Strategy is subject to an annual work planning process and my Department is currently reviewing the membership of the Cross Sectoral Group (CSG) to ensure appropriate stakeholder participation during Strategy implementation. The group will advise and support the annual work planning process and I envisage the first meeting of this CSG will take place in December next.

The National Social Enterprise Policy will help to create an enabling environment for social enterprise to grow and contribute to Ireland’s social and economic progress. 

My Department has an allocation of €291 million in 2019, of which €148 million is allocated to the community development programme. Budget 2020 provided for an increase in my Department's budget of €17 million which I intend to use for targeted measures across the rural and community development areas.

The breakdown of the €308 million Budget 2020 allocation for DRCD will fall to be considered in the context of the Revised Estimates 2020 to be published in December by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, the funding will allow me to continue the existing level of strong support for community development programmes. Furthermore, I expect to be able to increase supports for the community development area as follows:

- an increase in funding to the PEACE programme of €2million, to €7million. This programme is particularly important given current uncertainty surrounding Brexit. It is designed to promote positive relations and social cohesion in the cross border region. The total value of the programme is approximately €270 million (85% funded by the EU).

- a €3 million package of targeted supports for the community and voluntary sector, and organisations and individuals in disadvantaged communities

- an additional €1.5 million across the SICAP and CSP (€43.2 million and €46.2 million respectively in 2019) to fund some new organisations and to provide targeted supports for disadvantaged communities.

- €1.2 million to support the implementation of measures in the Strategy for Community and Voluntary Sector development in Ireland, which will include enhanced supports for the structures which drive local engagement in decision making - the Public Participation Networks and Local Community Development Committees.

In respect of social enterprise, my Department provides ongoing support of €2 million per annum through the Social Enterprise measure of the Dormant Accounts Fund, and through the Social Enterprise Development Fund administered by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI).  The latter is a €1.6 million fund to be delivered over the three-year period 2018-2020.  My Department has contributed €800,000 towards the Fund, on a match-funding basis with SIFI. My Department also supports social enterprises through a number of other programmes including the Community Services Programme (CSP), SICAP, and LEADER.  

In additional to these supports, I intend to provide an additional allocation of €300,000 in 2020 for the development and implementation of the National Social Enterprise Policy and the forthcoming Rural Development policy which will succeed the Action Plan for Rural Development at the end of this year. The funding will be additional to the Dormant Accounts Fund and will support initiatives such as raising awareness of social enterprises and developing a methodology to measure the economic and social impact of social enterprises in Ireland. 

Overall, the allocation made available to me in Budget 2020 will ensure continued delivery of the strong existing suite of community development measures; and allow additional targeted resources to support further delivery of actions within both the strategy and social enterprise policy.

Community Development Projects Funding

Questions (192)

Dara Calleary

Question:

192. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the annual allocations over the 2016 to 2020 period to fund initiatives (details supplied) in each scheme; the other schemes under his remit; and the budget 2020 funding allocations to the initiative in each respective scheme. [43791/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Rural and Community Development was established in July 2017 to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.  The details of budget allocations at programme level are published each year in the relevant Revised Estimates Volume.

With regard to the programmes and schemes identified, LEADER, which forms part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 has a total budget of €250 million over the programming period.  Since 2017, the following allocations were made in the annual  estimates process in respect of this programme : €30 million (2017),  €35 million (2018), €30 million (2019).

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2018-2022 (SICAP) is a €190m, five year national programme. The annual allocation is therefore €38 million per annum for the period of the programme. For the 2016 and 2017 period, the average annual allocation was just under €38m.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations provides multiannual core funding to national organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector. Allocations are made to organisations over a three year period. €18.8m has been allocated to the current scheme which commenced July this year and will run to July 2022. The average annual allocation will therefore be €6.3 million. The previous iteration ran from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019 with an allocation of €16.7 million.

The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP)  supports small scale capital projects that enhance community facilities for individuals and communities that are impacted by disadvantage. It was launched in 2018  with an initial allocation of €4.5 million. This was subsequently increased to €13 million, with €0.5 million of this ring-fenced for Men’s Sheds funding.  This year, €4.5 million was again allocated to the programme, with further funding of €0.5 million Men’s and Women’s Sheds made available through Dormant Accounts Funding.

The overall level of funding for the Department will increase from €291 million in 2019 to €308 million in 2020. This will facilitate the continued delivery of key programmes for rural Ireland and communities across the country; and provide an additional €17 million to support priority areas.

Exact allocations in respect of 2020 will fall to be considered under the Revised Estimates 2020 to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in December. It is my intention, however, to increase the LEADER allocation from €30 million in 2019 to €40 million in 2020 to reflect increased drawdown under this programme. I also envisage that an additional €1.5 million will be provided across SICAP and the Community Services Programme to provide targeted supports for disadvantaged communities.

Scheme to Support National Organisations

Questions (193)

Dara Calleary

Question:

193. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the 2019 to 2022 scheme to support national organisations; and the annual funding to this three year programme in tabular form. [43792/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) has a primary focus on the provision of core funding to national organisations that demonstrate good governance and deliver services and supports that have a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality.

The scheme provides multi-annual core funding to national organisations.  Allocations are provided across the total period of each iteration of the scheme.

The previous scheme ran from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019, with an overall budget of €16.7 million supporting 71 organisations over the period of the programme.

The current scheme commenced on 1 July 2019 and will cease on 30 June 2022.  A total of €18.8 million has been allocated to 74 national community and voluntary organisations over this thirty six month period. The breakdown of funding for the duration of this scheme is set out in the following table:

Organisation

Funding allocated

Active Retirement Network Ireland

€270,000

Age Action Ireland

€269,423

Akina Dada Wa Africa

€257,040

Anam Cara Parental And Sibling Bereavement Support

€270,000

Arthritis Ireland

€260,436

Asthma Society of Ireland

€270,000

Autism Spectrum Information Advice & Meeting Point

€270,000

Barnardos - Republic of Ireland

€270,000

Belong to Youth Services

€270,000

Brainwave – The Irish Epilepsy Association

€233,304

Breaking Through

€267,038

Care Alliance Ireland

€270,000

Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups

€270,000

Cherish

€270,000

Children in Hospital Ireland

€270,000

Children's Rights Alliance - Republic of Ireland

€269,946

Chronic Pain Ireland

€141,588

Community Action Network

€264,040

Community Workers

€269,998

Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency

€270,000

Disability Federation of Ireland

€234,427

Down Syndrome Ireland

€270,000

Dyslexia Association of Ireland

€266,888

European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland

€269,221

European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland

€270,000

Family Carers Ireland

€269,172

Focus Ireland

€214,552

Foróige The National Youth Development Organisation

€268,674

Free Legal Advice Centres

€270,000

GROW in Ireland

€270,000

Hand in Hand

€225,161

I.N.O.U.

€265,140

Immigrant Council of Ireland

€233,558

Inclusion Ireland - National Association For People With An Intellectual Disability

€269,842

Irish Sudden Infant Death Association

€270,000

Irish Association for Palliative Care

€150,702

Irish Council for Social Housing

€141,700

Irish Deaf Society The National Association of the Deaf

€269,700

Irish Foster Care Association

€268,394

Irish Men's Sheds Association

€269,998

Irish Penal Reform Trust

€270,000

Irish Refugee Council

€269,964

Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited

€270,000

Irish Senior Citizens National Parliament

€269,869

Irish Stammering Association

€196,930

LGBT Support and Advocacy Network Ireland

€270,000

M.O.V.E. Ireland

€269,610

Malta Charities

€270,000

Medical Research Charities

€269,719

Mental Health Reform

€269,835

Migraine Association of Ireland

€109,890

Migrant Information Centre Company

€270,000

National Association For Spina Bifida And Hydrocephalus Ireland

€216,696

National Women's Council of Ireland

€270,000

National Youth Council of Ireland

€270,000

Neurological Alliance of Ireland

€247,852

New Communities Partnership (NCP)

€269,772

Parents Plus

€251,788

Rape Crisis Network Ireland

€270,000

Rotha

€269,158

SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency

€269,577

Simon Communities of Ireland

€238,538

Social Analysis And Action For Justice Ireland

€270,000

Special Olympics Ireland

€270,000

Spinal Injuries Ireland

€269,606

The Irish Environmental Conservation Organisation For Youth   -Unesco Clubs-

€270,000

The Irish Hospice Foundation

€265,244

The Irish Local Development Network

€269,963

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland

€270,000

Threshold

€270,000

Treoir National Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents and their Children

€180,809

Volunteering Ireland

€221,616

Womens Aid

€269,926

Young Social Innovators Limited

€222,585

Community Development Initiatives

Questions (194)

Dara Calleary

Question:

194. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the findings emanating from the review of local community development committees; the actions he is considering arising from the review; if the review makes observations on the role of committees and the operation of the LEADER programme. [43799/19]

View answer

Written answers

Local Community Development Committees were established in mid-2014 to bring about a more joined-up and integrated approach to local service planning and delivery. I recently approved a comprehensive review of the LCDCs which was underpinned by extensive consultation and highlighted significant progress since LCDCs were established. The review makes a series of recommendations including securing greater cross-government buy-in; improved development and support programmes for LCDCs and members; and strengthening and streamlining administrative supports. The full findings of that review can be found on my Departments website at 

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/aa30e5-review-of-local-community-development-committees/  

The review did not specifically examine programme delivery or management by LCDCs as this is a matter primarily for programme funders. However the research did reveal that LCDCs seem to be growing into these roles, though some of the feedback suggests the work required to manage national programmes, in particular the LEADER programme, limits the time available for more strategic considerations and planning by the LCDC.  The review's recommendations in relation to the provision of training to LCDCs and members and in relation to strengthening and streamlining administrative supports should assist in addressing these challenges. 

My Department has begun the implementation of the LCDC review recommendations. A process of  engagement with other Government Departments to promote more cross government commitment to the LCDCs has begun. In addition, the first LCDC national network event will take place on the 9th  November and will look at leadership including in the context of Climate Action.  Further work to implement the recommendations of the review will continue in 2020 and beyond.

Community Development Initiatives

Questions (195)

Dara Calleary

Question:

195. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the review of local community development committees that stated that the prevailing view, particularly from non-State respondents, that community interests are not adequately considered or represented at committee level suggests these mechanisms are not as effectively or as widely used as they should be (details supplied). [43800/19]

View answer

Written answers

Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) were established in mid-2014 to bring about a more joined-up and integrated approach to local service planning and delivery. I recently approved a comprehensive review of the LCDCs which was underpinned by extensive consultation and highlighted significant progress since LCDCs were established.  The review also recognised a number of challenges to be addressed to secure the longer-term effectiveness of the structures. It makes a series of recommendations including securing greater cross-government buy-in; improved development and support programmes for LCDCs and members; and strengthening and streamlining administrative supports. 

I believe the deputy is referring to the issue of participation and engagement which was one of the themes used to guide the review process. The review did conclude that despite achieving good levels of participation and engagement some challenges remain. Consideration was given to the size of LCDCs when they were being developed, with a focus on achieving the optimum balance between a tight and effective committee on one hand and securing sufficient participation on the other. This remains the objective and LCDCs are using mechanisms such as sub-committees and working groups to broaden participation and engagement. However as participation and engagement appears to remain a challenge, particularly from the perspective of non-state actors, the review did conclude that perhaps these mechanisms are not as effectively or as widely used as they should be. 

The review commits to the development of a training and development programme to support the work of the LCDCs. Such a programme will address issues including Governance and the use of sub-groups and committees and the need for the LCDC to secure meaningful and sustainable engagement with communities. In addition, the new five year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities also contains actions to strengthen the Public Participation Networks (PPNs), the primary mechanism for communities to engage with local government decision making structures including the LCDC.  Specifically action 7.3 commits to the provision of resources to support members of the PPN to engage with local authority decision-making structures and processes.

LEADER Programmes Funding

Questions (196)

Brendan Smith

Question:

196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated for the LEADER programme in 2019; the expenditure to date; the projected expenditure by year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43834/19]

View answer

Written answers

LEADER is a multi-annual programme with a budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020.  €225 million of this budget is allocated to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation includes €5 million in additional funding which I have allocated to the top 10 performing LAGs this week. The funding is provided for the duration of the programme, rather than on an annual basis, to provide greater flexibility to the LAGs.

The balance of €25 million in the programme is provided for thematic projects which are approved at national level. 

As of 21st October 2019, the total amount of LEADER funding which had been expended since the commencement of the programme was in excess of €69.5 million, of which €31.9 million has been spent in 2019 alone. The costs include expenditure incurred by the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies, the administration costs of the LAGs, the costs of their engagement with communities to generate projects, as well as expenditure on projects themselves.

The level of project activity under the programme has increased significantly since the start of 2018 and over 2,400 core projects have now been approved for funding of over €91.8 million. A further 310 project applications, requesting approximately €26.4 million in funding, are at various stages in the approval process.  Project expenditure will increase significantly as these projects are implemented and payments are drawn down. 

The figures provided clearly illustrate the positive momentum at this stage of the LEADER programme and total expenditure is expected to be in excess of €75 million by the end of this year.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Questions (197)

Robert Troy

Question:

197. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an invalidity review in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if additional staff will be allocated to deal with the backlog. [43685/19]

View answer

Written answers

The customer's review application for Invalidity Pension has been medically assessed on 18th October, 2019  by one of the Department's Medical Assessors and the medical opinion has been conveyed to a Deciding Officer in the Invalidity scheme area who will be in contact with the customer in due course. I am advised that additional staff are being allocated to deal with decision review cases. 

Illness Benefit Waiting Times

Questions (198)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

198. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the long delay in processing an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied); when this decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43715/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised that the person concerned made an error in her personal data when completing her IB1 application form, which caused some delay in processing her Illness Benefit application.

The application has been processed now,  and the person concerned has been awarded Illness Benefit at the graduated rate of €91.10 per week. She is currently medically certified until the 16th October 2019, and all arrears due to her have issued to her bank account.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Questions (199, 200)

Michael McGrath

Question:

199. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position on the roll-out of auto-enrolment in the area of private pensions; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43723/19]

View answer

Michael McGrath

Question:

200. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reforms she plans to introduce in the area of private pensions with a view to improving coverage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43724/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.

Over the past 20 years Ireland's supplementary pension coverage rate has remained stubbornly low.  The most recent CSO data relates to 2018 and this reports that only 47% of the working population have supplementary pensions.  It is estimated that this rate reduces to just 35% when the private sector is considered in isolation.  Therefore, if measures are not taken to address this low rate of supplementary coverage, many future retirees will experience unwanted reductions in living standards when they reach retirement.

As stated in the 'The Roadmap for Pensions Reform', the Government proposes to begin implementation of a supplementary retirement savings system, known as Automatic Enrolment, by 2022.  Automatic Enrolment will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system.  The saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out.

An extensive national public consultation process on Automatic Enrolment finished earlier this year.  I was pleased to launch 'A Strawman Public Consultation Process for an Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System in Ireland' in August 2018 as the basis for this consultation.  This set out a plausible approach to the design of an automatic enrolment system for Ireland, with the intention of generating discussion and improving ideas.  I also chaired a series of consultation seminars around the country, in Dublin, Galway and Cork.  In March, my Department and the Pensions Authority held a series of focus groups with the target population for automatic enrolment.  My officials continue to regularly meet with various stakeholders and representative groupings.

My Department has completed analysis of the substantial material collated from the consultation process, in order to determine how the feedback received may assist with the design process.  The ESRI has completed research we commissioned on the economic impacts of introducing Automatic Enrolment.  My Department is continuing its research and consultation with experts from around the world to further build the evidence base in a number of specific areas over the coming months. 

The Cabinet Committee on the Economy was recently updated on progress with the design of the Automatic Enrolment system including an overview of findings from the consultation process and the ESRI's macroeconomic impact assessment.  A Report on the matter will be brought to Government for consideration in the coming weeks to facilitate the next steps for implementation of the scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Reform

Questions (201)

Michael McGrath

Question:

201. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to consolidate the range of pension schemes available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43725/19]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Government’s Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023, a number of specific actions have been allocated to the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Group (IDPRTG).  The IDPRTG is chaired by the Department of Finance and includes representatives from that Department as well as from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Pensions Authority.

Action 3.12 of the Roadmap commits to, “Identify the options and develop recommendations to coherently rationalise the number of individual pension vehicles which exist at present.”  In August 2018 the IDPRTG published a public consultation on issues under its remit including the reduction of the current number of pension savings vehicles.  This consultation closed in October 2018.  I am informed that, having reviewed and analysed the submissions received, the IDPRTG is currently working on its final report which it will send to the Minister for Finance in due course.  This report will include its suggested options and recommendations for Action 3.12 in conjunction with a wide range of other recommendations. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Questions (202)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

202. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43731/19]

View answer

Written answers

The gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 18 July 2019.  Payment including arrears due from 18 July 2019 will issue to his nominated account on 24 October 2019.  The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 17 October 2019.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Questions (203)

Peter Burke

Question:

203. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be entitled to the fuel allowance due to changes proposed in budget 2020; when changes will come into force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43738/19]

View answer

Written answers

Fuel allowance, under the National fuel scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie. 

An application for fuel allowance was received from the gentleman concerned on 06 June 2019.  The weekly household means were assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit for fuel allowance. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed and he was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 04 July 2019.   Following a review of his application, Fuel Allowance has now been awarded from 14 February 2019.  First payment and all arrears due form 14 February 2019 will issue to his nominated bank account on 24 October 2019.  He was notified of this decision on 21 October 2019.

Budget 2020 provided for a €2 increase in the weekly Fuel Allowance rate payable with effect from January 2020 however there have been no changes to the qualifying criteria for receipt of Fuel Allowance.   

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (204, 205)

Joan Collins

Question:

204. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps taken to carry out the necessary assessment required under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. [43750/19]

View answer

Joan Collins

Question:

205. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the initiatives undertaken by her Department to fulfil its statutory obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. [43755/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) Act 2014 introduced a positive duty on public bodies to have due regard to human rights and equality issues. My Department’s mission is to promote active participation and inclusion in society through the framework of employment rights and the provision of income supports, employment services and other services.

The Department's objective is to continue putting our customers at the centre of all our operations, providing an efficient and effective service and continue developing our staff, structures and processes.

The Department has engaged with the IHREC on a number of fronts in recent times. During 2018, the IHREC Chief Commissioner, Ms Emily Logan presented at the Department’s Senior Management Conference. In addition IHREC presented at the Social Inclusion Forum which the Department hosted in the Aviva Stadium and the Department's Assistant Principal forum in Dublin Castle, attended by over 200 senior managers. A departmental working group was established in 2018 which assessed DEASP's actions in the area of public sector duty.

This Department has also promoted the Professional Diploma in Human Rights and Equality offered by IHREC in conjunction with the IPA and a number of staff have undertaken this course. In addition, representatives from the Department's policy areas are due to undertake Public Sector Duty training with IHREC in November, 2019.

The Department provides ongoing supports and learning programmes to create awareness in relation equality for the benefit of staff and customers. 

All new staff undertake a two-day Induction and Orientation course, one day of which is focused on best customer service practice and addresses issues of equality and diversity, discrimination and unconscious bias to underpin the significance of these matters. 

The Department's Staff Development Unit promotes to staff the e-learning module, Delivering Equality in Public Services: An Introduction for Frontline Staff hosted on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.  This e-learning course provides an introduction to equality in service delivery.  It is designed for frontline workers in the public sector to help them make equality real in their day-to-day work in the context of equality law. A dedicated intranet site also provides access to e-learning modules from the National Disability Authority- Disability Equality Training for Public Sector Staff.

The Department has recently developed a suite of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) accredited learning programmes in collaboration with the National College of Ireland (NCI) directly addressing topics such as decision making and bias as well as ethics, equality and diversity. The current Certificate in Social Protection Studies explicitly references the Public Sector Duty and is available to all staff in my Department.

Pensions Reform

Questions (206)

Michael McGrath

Question:

206. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the body that will manage the funds in the context of the plan for an auto-enrolment pension scheme; the role she envisages for existing pension fund administrators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43772/19]

View answer

Written answers

As stated in the 'The Roadmap for Pensions Reform', the Government proposes to begin implementation of a supplementary retirement savings system, known as Automatic Enrolment (AE), by 2022.  AE will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system.  The saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out.

In August 2018 I was pleased to launch 'A Strawman Public Consultation Process for an Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System for Ireland' as the basis for an extensive national consultation process.  The Strawman document set out a plausible approach to the design of an AE system.  The consultation process resulted in significant engagement from a diverse range of stakeholders.  Overall, the responses to the Strawman consultation process were positive and constructive with a general acceptance of the principles and concepts underpinning AE.

With regard to existing pension fund administrators, the Strawman document sets out that employees already contributing to supplementary pensions that meet a prescribed minimum standard will not be automatically enrolled.  Accordingly, the aim of automatic enrolment is to complement, rather than replace, existing private pension provision.  

In terms of the administrative and organisational arrangements of the AE system, the Strawman proposes the establishment of a 'Central Processing Authority' (CPA) that would be responsible for sourcing a limited number of private sector ‘Registered Providers’ who would deliver retirement saving services to members.  In this regard, the CPA would tender for service delivery by the Registered Providers through the open market on a periodic basis.  The CPA would also establish the standards for retirement savings services to be delivered by the ‘Registered Providers’ and the product features and options that would be offered. 

In order for the Government to be able to make decisions on the preferred delivery option, further work is being carried out to determine the implications of any option being considered.  To this end, my Department was successful in obtaining technical support through the EU Structural Reform Support Services in relation to the design of the AE system.  In this regard, the Department is being supported by a project team of international pensions experts on the scope and design of the CPA, with the aim of finalising proposals for Government by the end of the year.

Most recently, the Cabinet Committee on the Economy was updated on progress with the design of the AE system including an overview of findings from the consultation process.  I intend to bring a further report to Government in the coming weeks to facilitate the next steps for implementation of the scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Contributory)

Questions (207)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a payment to a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43784/19]

View answer

Written answers

An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a State pension (contributory) claimants whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of means tested payment are carried out. 

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable.  Where their weekly means are between €100 and €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable.  If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.

The spouse of the person concerned has means of €242.00 per week derived from the capital value of their savings and shares. This gives an entitlement to a weekly IQA payment of €81.50. The decision issued in writing to the person concerned on 18 October 2019, and includes a breakdown of the means assessment. The person concerned has the right to seek a review or appeal this decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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