Parliamentary questions

Employment Rights Issues

Róisín Shortall

307. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding exploitation in the au pair industry arising from the lack of a regulatory framework (details supplied); his views on whether this puts both children and au pairs at risk and if he will consider the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to address the issues concerned. [22227/13]

Pensions Reform

Seamus Kirk

308. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, having regard to the proposed increase in retirement age for workers in the private sector, he will advise the regulation changes that are necessary to facilitate their continued employment until they reach the new retirement age threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22358/13]

Competition Authority Funding

Pearse Doherty

309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will lay the latest annual financial statements of the Competition Authority before the Houses of the Oireachtas. [22377/13]

Youth Enterprise Initiatives

Brendan Griffin

310. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the closing of Shannon Development will affect the young persons enterprise programme; if alternative sources of funding will be made available to ensure the continuation of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22429/13]

Trade Agreements

Andrew Doyle

311. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline Ireland's economic and trade co-operation with China; if he will provide a breakdown in the annual trading figures for the past five years between the two countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/13]

Industrial Development

Seamus Healy

312. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits his Department and the employment agencies have arranged to the vacant state of the art former Cordis Plant at Cahel, County Tipperary; the possibilities of finding an industry for the plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22639/13]

Employment Rights Issues

Joe Higgins

313. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to the findings made in favour of employees or former employees against employers by the Employment Appeals Tribunal since 2010 resulting in the the award of sums to employees, the number of instances in which employers have not adhered to those findings resulting in referrals to the National Employment Rights Authority for enforcement of payment; and the rate of success for NERA in dealing with such referrals. [22693/13]

Job Creation Issues

James Bannon

314. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the plans, if any, he has for job creation in the Longford/ Westmeath area; if he has plans to set up an inter-agency for the midlands and put a focus on the midlands to assist in job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22701/13]

Copyright Legislation Review

Catherine Murphy

315. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has received a final report from the Copyright Review Committee established by him in 2011; when he intends to make the report public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22723/13]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Róisín Shortall

316. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22792/13]

Departmental Expenditure

John McGuinness

317. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political/Ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisors, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22878/13]

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications

Tom Fleming

318. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the uptake of the micro finance scheme which was set up to assist small to medium size businesses to expand and develop their trade and workforce; the number of firms that have applied to date; the number of applications that have been successful; if there is any evaluation of the number of jobs that have been created by the successful applicants to date; if the micro finance scheme is being proactively promoted; the plan for awareness and simplifying access to the scheme and incentivising new and existing small businesses with revised better terms to generate more interest and a better take up by many small firms who are unsuccessful in obtaining necessary finances from the banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23038/13]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Seán Kyne

319. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he plans to take in 2013 to deliver a national step change initiative for Irish manufacturing with particular reference to assisting in the growth or establishment of indigenous sub-supply companies in sectors such as the medical devices industry. [23060/13]

Community Work Initiatives

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

320. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that 350 Tús supervisors are affected by the removal of an additional job assist tax credit which in the past has been offset against Tús wages, and that this would cost its supervisors up to €1000 a year. [22432/13]

Post Office Network

Michael Healy-Rae

321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the 400 post offices around the country which are fearing for their futures because of the possible changes to the way pensions and unemployment assistance is paid, if her Department will take into account the important role that our post offices play in our communities and the fact that they should be retained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22528/13]

Employment Rights Issues

Seamus Healy

322. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the successful European Court case taken by former Waterford Crystal workers in respect of their pension rights, if she will ensure pension payments to these workers at the same level as their British counterparts 90%; if she will ensure that future pension payments are protected for workers in similar circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22636/13]

Respite Care Grant Administration

Finian McGrath

323. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the major collective effect of the cuts to respite care allowance and the disability allowance for children and adults with a disability; and if she will reverse these cuts. [22823/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Colm Keaveney

326. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons, broken down by administrative division and by age group, currently in receipt of jobseeker's allowance that have not, to date, made any PRSI contribution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22199/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Jack Wall

327. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be heard in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22204/13]

Rural Social Scheme Statistics

Michael Healy-Rae

328. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are proposals to increase the number of places on the rural social schem on a national basis, and if so the degree to which we can hope to see the schemes increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22206/13]

Respite Care Grant Applications

John McGuinness

329. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a respite care grant will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [22247/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

James Bannon

330. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in the social welfare services office forwarding documentation sought by the appeals office regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22255/13]

Homeless Persons Supports

Nicky McFadden

331. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the moving n proposal from Focus Ireland to address unnecessary youth homelessness; if her Department will lead a network of relevant agencies to construct an activation package of education, training and support for young people in emergency accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22260/13]

Disability Allowance Applications Waiting Times

Tom Fleming

333. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will intervene in the prolonged processing time of a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22291/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Breen

335. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity pension appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22296/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John O'Mahony

336. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22309/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Jack Wall

338. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22318/13]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Patrick O'Donovan

339. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the qualifying conditions that a person must meet in order to be eligible to apply for participation in a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22339/13]

School Meals Programme

Patrick O'Donovan

341. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will furnish a list of the new schools that were placed on the programme for school meals and the schools that received additional funding from the recent announcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22393/13]

National Carers Strategy Consultation

Jack Wall

342. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection her views regarding a submission on carer's (details supplied); her plans to address the issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22399/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Barry Cowen

343. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an appeal for invalidity pension. [22447/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Barry Cowen

344. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for carer's allowance. [22448/13]

Free Travel Scheme Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

345. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a companion pass in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22459/13]

Free Travel Scheme Applications

Michelle Mulherin

346. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a companion bus pass in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22480/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Patrick Nulty

347. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if all taxi drivers are refused rent supplement as a matter of departmental policy; if so, the basis for this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22486/13]

Job Initiatives

Simon Harris

348. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the terms of the JobBridge scheme as they apply to the education sector and specifically if and when educational institutions can recommence advertising for future placements starting in September 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22495/13]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Jim Daly

349. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22499/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Jim Daly

351. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22514/13]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Michael Healy-Rae

352. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a PPS number will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22531/13]

Family Support Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

353. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken, or intends to take, to address the fact, now confirmed in her Department's report, that households with children, and in particular, lone parent families, have been the worst affected by the measures contained in budget 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21768/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Michael McGrath

355. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [22695/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Patrick O'Donovan

356. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance which has been awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22700/13]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Paudie Coffey

357. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will be allowed to appeal their illness benefit application decision by way of oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22707/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will re-examine entitlement to social welfare assistance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who wishes to take up a position with JobBridge but who is only currently receiving credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22725/13]

Jobseeker's Benefit Eligibility

John O'Mahony

359. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason retained fire fighters are not allowed to claim jobseeker's benefit; her plans to change the criteria of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22778/13]

Departmental Offices

John Halligan

360. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether she has plans to close the community welfare office in Tramore, County Waterford; if so, how she can justify this closure; her plans to move this office to the Waterford city office; how she proposes people with lack of financial support and no transport make the journey to visit these offices; and her plans to provide more resources to the community welfare office in Waterford city (details supplied) to alleviate delays in the processing of applications. [22779/13]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Róisín Shortall

361. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in her Department and in bodies under the aegis of her Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22795/13]

Job Initiatives

Thomas P. Broughan

362. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that displacement of persons in paid employment in certain companies is not taking place because of the companies taking on interns from the JobBridge scheme, in view of concerns highlighting that positions advertised on the JobBridge website are identical to paid employment positions previously advertised by certain companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22799/13]

Money Advice and Budgeting Service Remit

Alan Farrell

363. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the contents of the new service level agreement that has been issued to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service companies and in particular the concerns raised by MABS officials in relation to the restrictive nature of the agreements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22814/13]

Departmental Expenditure

John McGuinness

365. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political or ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to her office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisers, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22881/13]