Vol. 757 No. 3
10 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection of the 140,000 persons that she has stated left the live register to take up work last year, the number that took up full-time work, the number that took up part-time work; the number that took up education; the number that transferred to other social welfare payments; and the number that left the country. [11878/12]
As the Deputy is aware, there are 439,422 signing on the Live Register at present. Over 88,000 of these are employed for part of the week. Another 31,000 are signing for PRSI credits only and do not receive a payment. The total number of people on the Live Register receiving a payment in respect of a full week of unemployment is under 285,000.
The total exceeded 400,000 for the first time in June 2009 and has remained above that level since then. While the overall number of people on the Live Register has been relatively stable at the current very high level for a considerable time, it is important to note that it is not the same individual people who make up that total.
There is a significant degree of movement on and off the Live Register each month and as a result, just over half of those on the Live Register have been signing on for less than twelve months.
Despite the economic downturn, a total of 143,230 people left the Live Register in 2011 to take up work. A breakdown of this number between those who took up full time or part-time employment is not available.
In addition to these numbers, there were 29,371 closures to education, training or employment placement recorded in 2011. This total does not include the 18,000 people who were formerly on the Live Register but who are now availing of the Back to Education Allowance scheme.
There were 21,895 transfers from the Live Register to other social welfare schemes in 2011 while in another 16,251 cases, claimants closed their claims as they were going abroad. This means that in addition to the 143,000 who left to take up work a further 67,517 left for education, training, other social welfare schemes or to move abroad.
The continuing high level of unemployment and the risk of extensive long-term unemployment are both completely unacceptable. The Government is determined to do everything in its power to reduce the numbers on the Live Register by maximising employment opportunities for all those seeking work. We are doing so not only because unemployed people are entitled to the dignity and rewards of work but also because it will help bring the national finances into balance and enable us to recover our economic sovereignty.
This is an enormous task, given the scale of the economic downturn. Some progress is being made, as Deputies will be aware from recent and very welcome new jobs announcements. Some comfort can also be drawn from the fact that so many people leave the Live Register to take up work, as it shows that in addition to the new jobs that are coming on stream, job vacancies are being filled even though the economy is still running below its potential.
11 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is the case that unemployed workers who are highly skilled and qualified in particular fields, for example, nurses, will be forced to accept jobs or internships outside of those fields, or risk losing their benefits under the pathways to work initiative. [11709/12]
Using the activation strategies set out in Pathways to Work the Department will seek, in so far as possible, to find jobs for unemployed workers in areas where they can contribute most added value commensurate with their skills. The Department will engage with and provide supports to increase their prospects of securing a job. As part of the job-matching service that we will offer employers, we will be seeking to match the job requirements with the capabilities of the candidates available on the live register. As part of the service to customers a customer profile will be drawn up, as well as a personal action plan to assist with the job matching process. It is highly likely that qualified and trained professionals, such as nurses, will get work in line with their skills and training. Under the rights and responsibilities approach of Pathways whereby a person has an entitlement to a Social Welfare payment and a responsibility to engage with the department, we will expect people to take up reasonable job offers. Ideally, we would like a person to be employed in their job of preference but this may not always be possible. The objective is to keep a person close to the labour market.
In relation to JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme which came into operation on 1st July 2011 as of Thursday 23rd February a total of 4,990 individuals had commenced an internship and there were a further 2,089 internships available to be filled. This represents very significant progress in a short period of time.
The JobBridge scheme, which is a voluntary arrangement, is open to all individuals irrespective of their skill levels and should assist the groups to which the Deputy refers to return to work.
Internships are currently available in a wide range of occupational sectors including Information Technology, Transport and Logistics, Science, Health, Education, Arts and Literature etc. Internships are also available to jobseekers in all geographic areas.
The aim of the National Internship Scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills.
In addition the Department offers 85,650 job placement and work experience places through a variety of initiatives that include a range of options.
12 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will conduct research on qualified adult dependents in order to ascertain a breakdown as to their age, gender, caring or parenting responsibilities and educational and employment history. [11868/12]
The current income support payment structure enables adult claimants to have financial responsibility for dependents, both adult and children. An adult depending on a claimant is referred to as a "qualified adult." A claimant is eligible to claim for an increase for a qualified adult if that adult has no social welfare payment in their own right and has means of less than €100 per week from employment or elsewhere. A tapered reduced rate payment can be claimed when a qualified adult earns more than this amount up to a maximum of €310 per week. At the end of December 2011 there were approximately 193,000 adult dependent allowances in payment.
Analysis and information in relation to qualified adult dependents is not routinely collated by my Department across all of its various schemes.
This is, however, a matter that the Department will examine in the future as it develops policies aimed at restructuring and reforming the social welfare system. As they do not claim a payment in their own right, qualified adults, particularly those in the working age cohort, have no engagement with the system nor are they included on the Live Register. They therefore have no access to labour market supports or interventions that are Live Register linked. This situation does not adequately reflect modern society and its needs and, in time, will bear consideration in relation to how best to support those depending on the social welfare system to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their families. Research such as that suggested by the Deputy will support this consideration.
13 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the fact that the new maximum rent limits which came into force on 1 January 2012 will force many families to move in view of the fact that many landlords will refuse to reduce their rents causing unnecessary hardship, particularly for families with young children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11704/12]
18 Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the new maximum rent allowance limits have resulted in a reduction of rents across the country; if she considered alternative measures to achieve the same aim; if her attention has been drawn to the practice of landlords putting one rent on the form for the rent allowance and demanding another rent from the tenant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11705/12]
23 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of landlords that have not agreed to the rent reductions; if they are clustered in particular areas; if she identifies clusters in which the rent assistance is out of line with the market will she amend the levels of rent assistance available; the number of recipients of rent assistance that have since the last reduction been issued with letters to vacate and relocate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11693/12]
32 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has measured the success of the new maximum rent allowance limits in reducing rent to landlords; if she considered alternative measures to achieve the same aim such as rent controls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11861/12]
55 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection her views that the new rules regarding rent supplement will force many young families to move location in order to avail of cheaper housing which will inevitably lead to social problems, particularly for the children involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11703/12]
56 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail the methodology behind the rates of rent allowance cuts in budget 2012; and her views that this will force some persons in vulnerable situations to move to cheaper areas, which may mean a move away from the schools their children are in and from family support. [11706/12]
58 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of persons who have been asked to review rent allowance rates with their landlord under the new maximum limits that have been successful in doing so; the percentage that have had to seek alternative accommodation and of those persons if she has followed up on their application to ensure they have not become homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11860/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18, 23, 32, 55, 56 and 58 together.
Rent supplement provides short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. Since 2005, rent supplement expenditure has increased from €369 million to a provisional outturn of €503 million in 2011. The number of persons claiming the allowance increased from almost 60,200 persons in 2005 to over 96,800 at end 2011, a 61% increase.
The new maximum rent limits were set after an analysis of the most up to date market data available; this analysis is published on the Department's website. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.
As the Department currently funds approximately 40% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review, reflect current market conditions and do not distort the market in a way that could increase rent prices for others such as low paid workers and students.
Data is not available on the number of rent supplement cases that have been reviewed since the introduction of the new limits or of the outcome of these reviews. However, all new rent supplement applications are subject to these limits and as existing claims come up for review, (most claims are reviewed every six months), or when an existing lease expires, they will be reassessed using the new limits.
The new rent limits are only in place for two months so it is too early to say what impact they have had on the rental property market.
Where a claim is under review and the rent is above the new maximum limit the customer is being asked to contact the landlord to renegotiate the rent. Where a landlord does not agree to reduce the rent to the new rates departmental officials will discuss the options open to the tenant up to and including seeking alternative accommodation.
Departmental guidance to the officers administering rent supplement states that where negotiation with the landlord fails then rent supplement may continue to be paid for a period of up to thirteen weeks at the higher rate. However, once the lease has expired the tenant will be expected to find suitable accommodation at below the new limits in force. Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants will continue to ensure that their accommodation needs are met; there will no incidence of homelessness due to these changes.
Top up payments could occur where the application for rent supplement to the Department presents a lower rent than that actually being paid to the landlord. Any instance of false declarations should be reported to the relevant Department official dealing with the rent supplement case.
14 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the total verifiable amount of fraud in the social welfare system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11720/12]
The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department which makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week and processes in excess of 2 million claims each year. However, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them. The most reliable measure of excess payments by the Department through fraudulent claiming is by way of fraud overpayments raised. To prove fraud requires careful investigation of the case, establishment of the facts often under a cautioned interview, a disallowance of payment by the deciding officer and the setting up of an overpayment in respect of the historical period, where that is possible.
In 2010, there were a total of 51,950 overpayments assessed on scheme cases which amounted to €83.4m and represented 0.41% of total Departmental expenditure. Overpayments arising from activity suspected of being fraudulent amounted to €25.9m in 2010, representing less than 0.1% of total Departmental expenditure. The overpayments figures for 2011 will not be available until audited by the Comptroller and Auditor and General.
Fraud and Error surveys give an indication of exposure to risks of abuse on different schemes. Surveys were conducted on disability allowance, one parent family payment and jobseekers benefit in 2010 and 2011 and the results will be available in the near future.
The Fraud Initiative 2011-2013 sets out a range of actions to ensure that an integrated approach is taken to the prevention, deterrence and detection of social welfare abuse across the Department's schemes. Under the Initiative, there will be greater liaison at local level with employers and the business community generally to pursue allegations of abuse and to monitor emerging trends. In this regard, it should be noted that some 190,000 people work and legitimately receive a welfare payment.
15 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has read the report Seven is too Young, published by OPEN; if she will reconsider her decision to reduce the one parent family payment cut-off from 14 by 2016 to 7 by 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11867/12]
I have read the report ‘Seven is too Young' published by OPEN and have noted its content. Until 2011, the one parent family payment (OFP) provided long-term income support, until children were aged 18, or 22 if in full-time education, to lone parents — without any requirement for them to engage in employment, education or training. Such long-term welfare dependency and passive income support to individuals of working age was not considered to be in the best interests of the recipient, of his or her children or of society.
It is recognised that the best route out of poverty is through paid employment. Work, and especially full-time work, may not be an option for parents of young children. However, it is believed that supporting parents to participate in the labour market, once their children have reached an appropriate age, will improve both their own economic situation and the social well-being of themselves and of their families.
In addition, despite significant levels of State spending on one-parent families as well as improvements made to the OFP over the years, the results have been poor in terms of tackling poverty and social exclusion and of encouraging economic independence. Lone parents and their children continue to experience high rates of "consistent poverty". The latest EU-SILC figures, published in November, 2011, show that, in 2010, 9.3% of lone parents in Ireland were experiencing "consistent poverty" compared to 7% of two-parent households and to 6.2% of the population as a whole.
Lone parents are not a homogeneous group — they have experienced different routes to lone parenthood, are of different ages, have different education and employment backgrounds as well as different needs.
Social assistance and the structure and delivery of payments have a key role to play in terms of incentive and disincentive effects with regard to commencing/returning to work, education or training and extending employment. While supports are available to those in receipt of the OFP payment, these are not currently provided in a structured or systematic way.
The reduction in the age limit of the youngest child for receipt of the payment moves the OFP scheme towards a single means-tested social assistance payment for people of working age, which is the Department's strategy with regard to means-tested income support. This payment will end the categorisation of customers, including lone parents, into different payment types and will instead focus on the person and on their individual capacities. People can then be given, or be directed to, the supports and services that they need in order to return to, or take up, employment, training or educational opportunities.
16 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision, announced in Pathways to Work to cut the jobseeker’s benefit payments to persons who have had their working week reduced as a consequence of the recession; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the reason most persons are combining part-time work with social welfare is that they had their working week forcibly reduced and are unable to secure full-time employment because it does not exist. [11885/12]
59 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is true that persons in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance currently engaged in casual work will have their benefits cut; the rationale behind this; and her views that this will not be practical for some of the categories of persons who are employed on a casual basis, such as lone parents. [11707/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 59 together.
The jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative employment. It is a fundamental qualifying condition for these schemes that a person must be available for full-time work.
In this context it may be noted that for many unemployed people, unemployment is a short-term experience. Significant numbers of people leave the live register for work and for other reasons. In 2011, some 143,000 left the register to take up employment.
Budget 2012 provided for a change in payment week for jobseeker's benefit. Where a benefit recipient is working part-time or in casual employment their benefit entitlement will be calculated with reference to a 5 day, rather than a 6 day, week. The Budget also provided for the inclusion of Sunday working when calculating the amount of jobseeker's benefit/allowance payable. Changes to the payment week for jobseeker's benefit will be implemented in July 2012 and the inclusion of Sunday working in January 2013.
The 2006 Review of the Application of the Unemployment Benefit and Assistance Schemes Conditions to workers who are not employed on a full-time basis made a series of recommendations for structural changes to the jobseeker schemes. The Budget measures anticipate implementation of these recommendations. A working group has been established to advance the recommendations and the Budget measures.
17 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has instructed her inspectors to request car insurance certificates and bank account numbers from recipients of one parent family payment in the standard review of their payment; if this is a new initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11859/12]
34 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes that have been made to the documents that are being requested from those in receipt of one parent family payments in a standard review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11864/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 34 together.
There are currently 91,987 recipients of a one-parent family payment from my Department costing the Exchequer just over €1 billion per annum.
No changes have been made in relation to the supporting documentation required during the course of a review. In order to establish the ongoing entitlement of a customer to a one-parent family payment, s/he is asked to provide documentary evidence, where appropriate. This can include:
payslips to confirm details in relation to earnings;
statements from financial institutions to confirm the balance of any savings held;
confirmation of any maintenance payments received; and
utility bills or other documentation to confirm their address.
19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the rights and responsibilities contract will be enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11742/12]
As part of the implementation of the Pathways to Work approach it is intended that every client applying for a jobseekers payment will be asked to sign-up to a social contract with the Department. The social contract is being finalised at the moment and will be introduced in our trial offices in May. It is intended to be a straightforward document that sets out the services that will be provided by the Department and the commitment that will be expected from clients to engage with and work with these services. It is nothing more nor less than that but it is an important initiative in terms of:
the Department committing to a standard of service delivery against which it can be evaluated by customers.
making the terms of the service explicit to customers so that they know that these services don't come for free — that they will be expected to invest their time and effort to make the most of the services on offer.
Basically, there is a right to a payment but also a matching responsibility on the unemployed person to engage with the system. This, I think, is a reasonable approach from the individual's and the taxpayer's perspective.
The contract will clearly specify that failure of the client to honour their commitments may result in the reduction or suspension of their welfare payment. In this regard reduced payment rates were provided for in the Social Welfare Act 2010.
The reduced rates, which apply to personal jobseekers payments, may be implemented where a jobseeker:
(i) refuses an appropriate offer of training by an officer of the Department;
(ii) refuses, or declines to avail of, an offer of training;
(iii) declines an intervention — for example a referral to a work experience programme or a specific work opportunity;
(iv) does not attend scheduled meetings with an officer of the Department.
The relevant legislation provides safeguards for the social welfare recipient in terms of the reasonableness of the intervention being offered. In common with many social welfare provisions, the new measures allow for discretion on the part of a deciding officer, as an offer of training, education or employment must be viewed in the context of a person's circumstances. Where a customer has been subject to the reduced rate, the normal rate of payment will be restored from a current date when the person subsequently engages with the process or takes up offers of training that were made.
20 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if she took cognisance of the European vacancy monitor published by the European Commission in January 2012 which demonstrated that there are 50 jobseekers for every single vacancy here when she was developing Pathways to Work. [11879/12]
My Department undertook a significant range of work in preparing the Pathways to Work policy and in the development of a new National Employment and Entitlements Service, as provided for in the Programme for Government, which will integrate employment and benefit payment services within the Department. With reference to the European vacancy monitor the Deputy mentioned I believe the data used for the January 2012 report is the estimated number of vacancies at the end of the second quarter 2011, compared to the number of unemployed people. This figure does not represent the number of jobs actually filled over time. The same report, for example, estimates the number of jobs filled at approximately 95,000 during the quarter in question. As I am sure the Deputy noted from the report, there has been an increase in the number of jobs compared to the previous year.
My concern is in particular for people who become long term unemployed as data from my own Department indicates that while a person has a 50% chance of finding work in their first year of unemployment, this figure drops to 10% in the second year and continues to drop every year thereafter. Pathways to Work is designed to address this pattern by working with people to help them enhance their job prospects and secure one of the available vacancies.
It is also important to note that the Pathways to Work policy is not a policy working in isolation from other actions. The Government launched its Action Plan for Jobs with a view to creating a net additional 100,000 jobs over the next five years. Pathways to Work is a complementary policy designed to support people currently on the live register to access those jobs.
21 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make changes to the family income supplement scheme to allow for a more regular review of the payment level especially in circumstances when the family suffer a reduction of income through their working hours being reduced because under the current system a family must wait until the full 52 week period concludes before the payment level is reviewed. [11866/12]
The Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment is designed to provide income for employees on low earnings with families. Expenditure on FIS for 2011 was of the order of €204 million in respect of some 29,000 families. The payment preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he/she was unemployed and claiming other social welfare payments. To qualify for payment of FIS, a person must be engaged in full-time insurable employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with — or is supported by — him/her. Furthermore, the average family income must be below a specified amount which varies according to the number of qualified children in the family.
An integral part of the FIS scheme is that once the level of payment is determined, it continues to be payable at that rate for a period of 52 weeks, provided that the person remains in full-time employment. The rate of payment may be increased if an additional child is born in the course of the 52 weeks. On the other hand, the rate of payment will not change if there is an increase or decrease in the recipient's earnings. A key advantage of this approach, which is unique to the FIS scheme, is that claimants can be certain that they will receive a guaranteed level of income support throughout the period. This certainty is important to the success of the scheme as it provides a real incentive to workers with families to avail of employment opportunities.
Claimants must apply to have their payment renewed if they wish to receive payment for a further 52 weeks. At present, application forms for renewal of the payment of FIS for a further 52 weeks are issued one month in advance of the expiry of the current payment and are processed in order of the date of expiry of the current payment and not by the date of receipt of a completed renewal form. This is designed to facilitate the collection of the most up-to-date customer information to ensure the fairest calculation of entitlement for the next 52 week payment period of FIS.
I have no plans to change the existing arrangements and any changes to the scheme would require an amendment to the legislation. However, the FIS payment is one of the family and child income supports that are currently being examined by the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare which was established in mid-2011. The Group has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes can be achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes.
22 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make a statement providing details on the group engagement sessions, group engagement seminars and group information seminars mentioned in Pathways to Work. [11881/12]
The group engagement initiative, referred to in “Pathways to Work”, is a relatively new approach by my Department when working with jobseeking clients. Under this process, jobseekers who have been on the live register for at least three months are referred in groups to a single location. Staff from my Department offer them a presentation that provides relevant information and advice on their entitlements, rights and responsibilities. Appointments are then made for follow-up one-to-one meetings with an employment services expert. The group engagement initiative was first tested by my Department, in conjunction with FÁS, in October 2010 in three locations initially [Galway, Dublin North and Dublin South]. This was part of the suite of measures aimed at strengthening the labour market activation process under the National Employment Action Plan. Following an evaluation of the group engagement process in mid-2011, the initiative has now been extended to 38 of the Department’s local offices. Over 13,000 people have been referred through the process to date. The Department’s research has shown very positive feedback from clients with significant increases in the attendance rates at the follow-up, individual one-to-one interviews with the employment services experts.
The group engagement initiative forms part of the suite of improvement measures to the way in which people will be offered more informed and personalised support services with the prioritization of more intensive and targeted support for those on the live register who are identified as being most at risk of long-term unemployment under the new profiling arrangements.
24 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will develop a pay by results job matching model into the future; the studies that have been done on the model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11734/12]
50 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the way she intends to deliver the deeper and more regular engagement with NEES promised in Pathways to Work with less staff and less resources. [11882/12]
52 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider her plans to privatise social welfare services announced in Pathways to Work; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that before she took the decision to go down this route that in January 2012 the British National Audit Office stated that the British Department for Work and Pensions had grossly overestimated the number of jobseekers that the payment-by-results model would get back to work. [11886/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 50 and 52 together.
The Department is establishing a new National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES), as provided for in the Programme for Government, which integrates employment and benefit payment services within the Department. The Pathways to Work strategy which was launched by the Government on 23rd February incorporates the provision to establish the NEES and commits to a new approach to the provision of services for unemployed people. The objective is to reduce the level of long term unemployment and to ensure those who are unemployed will be provided with appropriate advice, support, education and training to take advantage of new job opportunities as the economy recovers. The Pathways to Work has five strands:
more regular and on-going engagement with people who are unemployed,
greater targeting of activation places and opportunities,
incentivising the take-up of opportunities,
incentivising employers to provide more jobs for people who are unemployed, and
reforming institutions to deliver better services to people who are unemployed.
In considering the resource requirements required to implement the programme set out in Pathways to Work and in establishing the NEES, it is expected that the integration of staff from FÁS, the Community Welfare Service and the Department will realise efficiencies. This integration will free up resources and staff for the more resource intense role of case management and activation. There will be staff savings at local level where customers will now be dealing with one agency rather than interacting with three different agencies in three different locations. There will also be synergies in the alignment and rationalisation of corporate service such as HR, Finance, and IT Payments.
The Department expects to realise further efficiency gains from the continued upgrading and development of IT support systems and the automation of routine resource intensive operations. This will release staff who are currently involved in manual routine work to resource the case management service.
The NEES project plan also allows for the outsourcing of some of the case management and activation services to complement the Department's own resources in referral and job placement. Work on the possible involvement of private and third sector providers is ongoing within the Department. Over the course of the last three months meetings have been held with a number of stakeholders including representatives from the Department of Work and Pensions, representatives from international employment service providers and representatives of Irish recruitment companies. A specific proposal on how to integrate private sector provision into the services the Department currently provides has not yet been worked out.
Three advantages of such a model are:
Firstly it gives access to the expertise and knowledge of the private sector — people who have a better "on the ground" knowledge of workforce requirements than the public sector could be expected to have.
Secondly it allows us to "flex" our resources by bringing in extra private sector resources as required to match peaks and troughs in demand.
Thirdly, the payment by results approach minimises the call on scarce exchequer cash resources.
It is to be noted however that the use of external resources is nothing new — the Department, previously FÁS, engages c 23 Local Employment Service (LES) providers to provide employment services including job coaching, mentoring, and job search assistance to the people who are long term unemployed and funds these activities to the value of c €20 million p.a. There is currently c 300 staff engaged by LES companies in the provision of these employment services. The Department also has similar external contract arrangements in place to cater for the requirements of clients with disabilities who wish to return to the workforce.
In addition, the Department has a history of contracting with external contractors for the provision of services — namely An Post for the provision of payment services and contracted Branch Managers for the provision of customer facing services in approximately 60 locations.
I would like to stress that the Pathways to Work policy is not a policy working in isolation from other actions. The Government launched its Action Plan for Jobs with a view to creating a net additional 100,000 jobs over the next five years. Pathways to Work are a complementary policy designed to support people currently on the live register to access those jobs.
25 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she intends to put in place to ensure that JobBridge is not exploited by private sector employers resulting in persons being forced into low paid jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11863/12]
The aim of the National Internship Scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. Participation on internships currently operates on a voluntary basis and there are no current plans to amend this approach.
It should be noted that all organisations who are participating in the JobBridge scheme are required to abide by the criteria of the scheme including the specific measures which have been designed to prevent the abuse of the scheme by employers, protect the intern from exploitation and ensure the integrity of the JobBridge scheme. These include the following:
that the internship does not allow the intern to work unsupervised;
that the internship is not displacing an employee; and
that the intern accrues significant experience throughout the entire internship.
In addition, all host organisations must comply with the monitoring requirements of the scheme including the completion of the monthly compliance reports and the Standard Internship Agreement with their interns. This Agreement clearly stipulates the terms of the internship and states the specific learning outcomes the intern will receive over the course of their internship.
To ensure compliance my Department is monitoring internships to check that they are of sufficient quality and that both host organisations and interns are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme.
As a further safeguard a "whistle blowing" feature has also been introduced where any individual who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme's criteria may contact the JobBridge team. All such claims will be investigated.
In addition a pilot monitoring programme has been rolled out with the objective of initially monitoring 3% of Internships. The internships selected for monitoring will be based on a risk assessment process conducted on a regional basis. It is intended that ultimately approximately 5% of internships per region per year will be selected for an on-site visit.
The objective of the Monitoring Process is to establish the level of Compliance with the Standard Agreement (as signed by the Host Organisation and the Intern). This includes the following:
Has the Standard Agreement been completed and signed by both parties.
Has a Mentor been appointed, if so, whom.
Are the duties and responsibilities in line with the original internship advertisement.
Has the Development Work Experience Agreement been completed, signed and adhered to.
Are the Intern's hours of work in line with the Standard Agreement.
Scope for any further/additional information is also provided.
In general, the feedback from the Monitoring Visits that have taken place to date has been overwhelmingly positive from the perspective of both the Host Organisation and the Intern.
It is intended that following the pilot a short review of the process will be undertaken to ensure the effectiveness of the approach.
26 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will specifically ensure that claimants for disability benefit and allowance or invalidity pension, who are cancer patients are treated in a fashion and with the consideration required as befits their medical condition and that deciding officers have regard for the nature of their illness when determining their fitness for work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11887/12]
The Department is committed to delivering a quality customer service and in that regard endeavours to treat all clients, including cancer patients, in a fair and courteous manner. Medical assessment of eligibility for illness related benefit/assistance schemes is determined by the Department's Medical Assessors in accordance with evidence based medical guidelines and protocols. Deciding officers, who determine entitlement to the schemes, have due regard to the medical opinion of the Department's Medical Assessors. If a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer it is open to that person to lodge an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. If a person is not satisfied with the service they have received it is open to that person to lodge a complaint. Procedures for lodging a complaint or providing feedback are outlined on the Department's website and are available from the Department's public offices. The Department aims to resolve complaints without undue delay.
27 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to change sick pay arrangements; the revenue implication of this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11728/12]
The question of introducing a scheme of statutory sick pay, whereby employers would directly meet the costs of sick absence for an initial period of illness, is being considered in the context of the need to reform the social welfare system to bring it into line with practices in other countries in this area; the need to address the deficit in the social insurance fund; the need to limit progression from short-term illness to long-term illness or disability; and in the wider context of enhancing the health of the workforce and addressing levels of absenteeism. No decisions have yet been taken by Government on the introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme. Before any decisions can be taken, there are a range of complex issues which need to be examined in detail.
I hosted a consultative seminar on the feasibility and implications of introducing a scheme of statutory sick pay on 20th February 2012. This seminar was attended by a broad range of key stakeholders and afforded an initial opportunity to discuss the complex issues involved. I envisage that further consultations will be held with stakeholders in order to further develop the debate on these issues.
The level of savings which would be generated from a statutory sick pay scheme would depend on how the scheme is structured, particularly in relation to the duration of payment, rate of payment, extent of coverage and number of "waiting days" for which no payment is made. By way of illustration, however, it is estimated that savings of €23 million would arise if illness benefit was not payable for the first week of illness, rising to some €89 million if it was not payable for the first four weeks of sick absence.
28 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the report Downsizing the Community Sector and her response to its conclusion that she is singling out voluntary and community organisations for disproportionate cuts considering the importance of funding streams from her Department to the community sector. [11880/12]
As Minister for Social Protection, I am determined to ensure that the contribution of such schemes is recognised in any future decisions on the future operation, funding and role of Community Employment. There is a total spend on Community Employment of €315 million in 2012. The financial review, that I have asked to be completed by the end of March, is being carried out between local community employment sponsors and the officers responsible for the scheme under local management.
Separately my Department is conducting a policy review of a number of schemes administered by the Department. Community Employment is being reviewed as part of this exercise. The outcome of this review will guide future policy development and is also expected to be completed by the end of March.
The outcome of these reviews will inform the overall approach to be taken by my Department in regard to how to secure the best outcomes for the schemes and for their participants, taking account of the large amount of money we spend on community employment schemes and the valuable contribution that many of them make to their communities.
There are no reductions in the number of places available on the Community Employment programme in 2012. Similarly, the numbers of supervisors will remain the same within agreed ratios.
29 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on her current review of community employment schemes and in particular in relation to vital CE schemes in the Dublin 5, 17 and 13 areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11696/12]
I acknowledge the valuable contribution made by Community Employment Projects. Currently, there are currently thirty three Community Employment Projects located in the Dublin 5, 17 and 13 areas where they support a wide range of services within the communities. However due to the current economic circumstances, this Department has had to find significant savings in the Budget for 2012. The reduction only applies to the grant for materials and training and represents a reduction of 7.5% of the overall expenditure on Community Employment in 2011. There will be no decrease in the number of Community Employment places in 2012. I have requested a financial review of all Community Employment Projects. It is anticipated that CE projects will see a reduction in the level of grant aid allocated in respect of materials and training in 2012 as funding will be allocated according to the needs of the participants and the project circumstances. The purpose of the review is to establish the level of need and this review should be completed by the end of March 2012.
In addition, my Department is undertaking a separate review of the effectiveness of a range of employment supports including Community Employment. The outcome of these reviews will inform the overall approach to be taken by the Department and ultimately determine future policy.
30 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the way she tallies the commitment in Pathways to Work to get persons back into the workforce with budget 2012 measures that will see jobs in the community sector go from 48,320 in 2011 to 41,948 in 2013 and 36,638 in 2015. [11862/12]
As announced in the Pathways to Work, one of the five strands of the programme is to provide greater targeting of activation places and opportunities for job seekers — particularly those who are over one year unemployed. The Department will continue to provide supports in the form of work experience and training through the community and voluntary sectors. Community Employment will play a critical role in this. The Government is determined that those who are unemployed will be assisted with the appropriate advice, training and work experience to enable them to take advantage of new job opportunities as the economy recovers. Community Employment helps people who are out of work for one year or longer to maintain contact with local employment opportunities and to avail of training so that they can get these jobs when they arise. At the same time the programme helps the local community and reduces the impact of long-term unemployment on individuals and their families. There are no reductions in the number of places available on the Community Employment programme in 2012. Similarly, the numbers of supervisors will remain the same within agreed ratios.
31 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons working in the Bray social welfare office, County Wicklow; the way this compares to the staffing levels for the years 2007 to 2011; her plans to redeploy additional staff to assist in dealing with the increased workload; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11699/12]
There are currently 26 staff, equating to 22.8 full-time equivalent posts, assigned to the Department's local office in Bray. This is an increase since 2007 as set out in the table below. While there are no plans to assign additional staff to Bray local office, I can assure the Deputy that the staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, having regard to workloads, management priorities and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the services provided by the Department.
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|||||
|
People |
Posts |
People |
Posts |
People |
Posts |
People |
Posts |
People |
Posts |
|
22 |
17.46 |
22 |
18.23 |
24 |
19.83 |
26 |
22.13 |
26 |
22.4 |
33 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if State agencies including, but not exclusively, Departments, local authorities, Revenue and Health Service Executive are prevented under data protection legislation from providing her with information that could lead to the detection of social welfare fraud; her plans to remove all legislative impediments from State agencies to detect fraud and criminality within the social welfare code; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11702/12]
The Department has an extensive legal structure to support the sharing of data for the purpose of controlling the entitlement and payment of benefits. The legislative provisions which allow for the specific sharing of data are contained in section 261 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. My Department is not aware of any cases where the Data Protection Act has been used to inhibit the investigations of those who are charged with detecting welfare fraud. Where the Department has issues or questions regarding data protection matters, it raises them with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
Social welfare legislation is reviewed on an ongoing basis and updated, where appropriate, to strengthen controls and penalties. A Departmental legislative working group has been established specifically to examine issues and make proposals on measures that could improve the prevention, detection and prosecution of social welfare fraud. This group explores a range of possible legislative changes from a control perspective and brings forward appropriate proposals for consideration in the annual Social Welfare Bills.
35 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make a statement on the future of local employment centres and congress centres; and if she has any plans that will impact on these. [11874/12]
Responsibility for the Local Employment Services (LES) transferred from the Department of Education and Skills to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1st January 2012. The department recognises the valuable role the Local Employment Services play in the activation of unemployed people, particularly those most disadvantaged and distant from the labour market and in the provision of career/vocational guidance to Jobseekers referred by the department to the LES through the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP). My officials have met recently with representatives of the Irish Local Development Network (which includes the Local Employment Services) and assured them of continued funding for 2012. Officials will continue to work to further develop this relationship in 2012. In this regard and as was the case in recent years, for 2012 an interim contract for an initial three month period (January-March 2012) with a pro rata budget was put in place at the end of December 2011 to facilitate the contractual relationship into the new year 2012.
As in previous years officials in the regions will shortly commence a budget bid process with the 24 individual organisations with whom the department contracts for the provision of the local employment service, in order to put a contract in place for the full year 2012.
The Congress Centres are independent companies administered by the Irish congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Currently, My Department provides the Congress Centres with a number of CE/JI places to enable them to deliver their service. There has been no reduction in the number of places provided to the congress centres to assist them in the provision of their service. Following the reductions in the CE training and materials grant announced in the Budget, the Department of Social Protection commenced a review of the financial resources of individual schemes. This review is scheduled to be completed by the end of March. As stated previously, I have made a commitment that no Community Employment Scheme would close pending the completion of this review.
36 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps being taken to identify overpayments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11694/12]
Ensuring that the right person is paid the right amount of money at the right time is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department which makes payments to over one million people every week. It is important to emphasise, that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them each week. Overpayments are generally defined as money obtained contrary to or in excess of a valid decision. Most overpayments arise as a result of a revised decision regarding entitlement. Deciding officers decide the effective date of a revised decision having regard to the new facts or new evidence and the circumstances of the case. An overpayment is assessed for the period that a client was not entitled to a payment and the recovery of the overpayment is followed up by the relevant section of the Department.
It is the policy of the Department to pursue recovery of all overpayments. In 2010, a total of 51,950 overpayments were assessed on individual cases. These represented €83.4m or 0.41% of total Departmental expenditure in that year. The overpayments figures for 2011 are not available until audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
In 2010 almost 930,000 control reviews were undertaken while in 2011, in excess of 980,000 reviews were carried out. Such activity may lead to the assessment of an overpayment. However, not all overpayments arise from control reviews. Overpayments also arise, for example, where the client, of their own volition, reports a change in their means or circumstances which results in a reduction in their entitlement. If there is a time lag between the occurrence of such change in means or circumstances and the revision in the rate of payment, an overpayment can arise.
37 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider making a policy decision in respect of social housing that the 300,000 vacant houses will be matched with the 100,000 households on State housing lists, in place of the recent cuts to rent supplement. [11708/12]
Policy decisions in relation to social housing are the responsibility of my colleagues the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Housing and Planning.
38 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the approach taken for those seeking a social protection payment who have left the US because they are undocumented Irish or who are Irish citizens who have been deported from the US, in both cases there is a ten-year ban before seeking to return to the US; the way they satisfy the habitual residency rule when family, business or property interests are located in the US and where their centre of interest is deemed to be in the US but they are banned from locating there; if she intends making changes in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11692/12]
The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004. The effect of the condition is that a person whose habitual residence is elsewhere would not normally be entitled to social welfare assistance or child benefit payments on arrival in Ireland. Each case received for a determination on the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) is dealt with in its own right and a decision is based on application of the legislation and guidelines to the particular individual circumstances of each case.
Irish nationals returning to live here on a permanent basis should experience no difficulty in demonstrating that they satisfy the requirements of HRC. I have no statistical evidence that there has been any significant increase in the number of disallowances on the grounds of not being Habitually Resident for claims made by returning Irish emigrants.
The guidelines regarding determination of habitual residence address the issue of returning emigrants very specifically. The Guidelines state: "A person who had previously been habitually resident in the State and who moved to live and work in another country and then resumes his/her long-term residence in the State may be regarded as being habitually resident immediately on his/her return to the State."
In determining the main centre of interest in the case of returning emigrants, deciding officers take account of:
purpose of return e.g. expiry of foreign residence permit,
the applicant's stated intentions,
verified arrangements which have been made in regard to returning on a long-term basis e.g. transfer of financial accounts and any other assets, termination of residence based entitlements in the other country, or assistance from Safe Home or a similar programme to enable Irish emigrants to return permanently,
length and continuity of the previous residence in the State,
the record of employment or self employment in another State, and
whether s/he has maintained links with the previous residence and can be regarded as resuming his/her previous residence rather than starting a new period of residence.
The following examples are acceptable as proof of permanent return to Ireland:
Documented evidence of transportation of personal possessions,
Proof of cessation of employment,
Proof of termination of lease on rented property or proof of sale of home,
Evidence of closure of financial accounts and transfer of funds,
Evidence of completion of studies abroad (where applicable),
Copy of passport and expiration of visa at the time they returned.
(In a case where a person says they were resident illegally in a country outside the EEA, the entry visa to that country, stamped on their passport, will clearly show the permitted duration of their stay in that country. For example, a person who went to the USA in 2007 and was granted an entry visa to remain there for 90 days but continued to live there until 2009, that person was resident in the USA illegally after the expiry of the 90 days. In a case like this, the fact that a person cannot return to that particular country, would mean that they may be likely to be habitually resident in Ireland).
This list is not exhaustive.
This is generally sufficient to enable the deciding officer to determine whether their present circumstances in Ireland indicate a temporary visit or habitual residence.
Any applicant who disagrees with the decision on a case has the right to request a review of that decision and/or appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
There is no discrimination on grounds of nationality in social welfare legislation and to introduce such a provision would be contrary to the equality principles that Ireland has adopted in its equality legislation, the Treaties of the European Community and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and other international conventions.
39 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail the scope, format and timeframe of the review she is conducting of the domiciliary care allowance scheme; if she is seeking views specifically from parents; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the notice period given in advance of the review of a child’s payment is far too short to allow for the parent to gather the medical reports and documentation needed to support their application for the continuation of the payment; if her further attention has been drawn to the anxiety and distress these reviews are causing parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11865/12]
Domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is currently paid to over 24,000 parents/guardians in respect of 26,000 children at a cost of approximately €100m in 2011, with the accompanying Respite Care Grant costing a further €45m. In addition, the Department makes an extensive range of payments to support families with children. In 2011, some €2.08 billion was paid out in respect of 1.13 million children on child benefit. In addition, qualified child increases were also paid to people on social welfare payments in respect of some 495,000 children (369,000 at full rate and 126,000 at half rate).
DCA is a monthly payment to the parent/guardian of a child with a disability so severe that the child requires care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be provided to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.
I can confirm to the Deputy that I have asked the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare to examine and report on the policy objectives underpinning the Budget 2012 proposals regarding changes in eligibility criteria and rates of payment for Disability Allowance and the increase in the age threshold for payment of Domiciliary Care Allowance and to assess the overall effectiveness of these proposals in delivering on these objectives. The Advisory Group has sought submissions from interested parties and I expect that the group will commence its work on this issue in the near future. Furthermore, representations from parents/guardians and/or representative groups on the operation of the scheme are routinely reviewed by officials of my Department.
Individual DCA cases are routinely reviewed to ensure that the conditions for receipt of the payment continue to be met. Reviews are initiated with the parent/guardian being asked to complete a "review of medical criteria form", which also requires medical input from the child's GP. The parent returns this form together with any additional recent reports of ongoing medical or therapeutic services the child may be receiving. While 21 days is allowed for the return of the completed review form and supporting documentation, flexibility is given where some additional time is needed to obtain specific reports. This information is then sent for review by a medical assessor who will provide an opinion to the deciding officer on whether the child continues to meet the medical criteria for receipt of the payment.
The decision of the deciding officer is communicated to the customer in writing and they are given the option to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Any new or additional information received after the issue of the revised decision and before the appeal is heard, is further assessed by a medical assessor. In this way, the review process affords parents/guardians every opportunity to provide additional information and to have this information assessed at an early stage with payment restored, where necessary, without the necessity of an appeal hearing.
Finally, I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring that those children who meet the conditions for the scheme will continue to receive the payment.
40 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will arrange for all disability benefit recipients to be given a notice of conclusion from her at an earlier stage and advice and assistance on the way to apply for disability allowance in advance of the conclusion of their disability benefits in order to ensure a seamless transition. [11871/12]
Since January 2009 payment of illness benefit is limited to a maximum of 104 weeks (624 pay days) in most cases. There are a number of possible social welfare payments for which a customer may qualify thereafter, depending on their circumstances. Letters are sent to illness benefit customers 13 weeks before their claim is due to expire. This period of advance notice is kept under review. The customer is advised about other possible schemes for which they may qualify, including invalidity pension, disability allowance, jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance and supplementary welfare allowance. Customers are also advised that if they are considering applying for any of the schemes they should do so as soon as possible. There has been a consistent upward trend in recent years in the number of applicants for invalidity pension — from 7,475 in 2009 to 14,621 in 2011. In order to qualify for invalidity pension applicants must be permanently incapable of work and satisfy the social insurance contribution conditions. Approximately 70% of applicants do not meet the criteria.
In an effort to ensure that recipients of illness benefit receive a decision on invalidity pension in advance of the expiry of their illness benefit, resources are prioritised towards those claims where illness benefit is due to expire first. Every effort is made to process claims prior to the expiry of the illness benefit entitlement. It should be noted, however, that an average of approximately 70% of all such claims for invalidity pension are found not to qualify. In order to meet the challenge of increased volumes of new claims for its schemes, the department has embarked on a major programme of process redesign and modernisation, including the deployment of new computer systems. A new processing system has recently been rolled-out to manage the processing of new claims in disability allowance. Customer service delivery remains a key priority in my department and processes are kept under continuous review to ensure that services are delivered promptly to customers. Staffing needs are also kept under regular review to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
If a person has an income need pending a decision on any scheme they may apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance payment from their local community welfare officer.
41 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the way her review of community employment is progressing; and if she is concerned that the shortening of the duration of CE announced in Pathways to Work will adversely impact on the quality and level of training qualifications that can be delivered to CE participants. [11870/12]
The process of reviewing each Community Employment (CE) scheme is well advanced. All schemes have been communicated with and met by an officer of the Department. Returns from these meetings are now being examined on a regional basis in terms of the funding requirements and the savings that can be achieved within the limits set down by the Department. These outcomes will be analysed and will form the basis of the review findings which will be available from the end of March. Due to the widespread consultation and information being provided, it is not possible to make any recommendations or decisions until the process is completed. Under Pathways to Work I am prioritising one-third of the places on CE schemes towards a shorter more focused active labour market intervention. This will be undertaken in conjunction with the wider policy review of CE schemes currently underway in the Department.
42 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the partial capacity benefit to those in receipt of disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11700/12]
The partial capacity benefit scheme was formally launched on Monday 13th February 2012. Full details of the scheme have been published on the Department's website and an information leaflet has also been published. The introduction of the partial capacity benefit scheme marks an important and positive development of the social welfare system. The scheme recognises that the welfare system, which categorised people as “fit to work” or “unfit to work”, did not reflect the reality for many existing welfare customers and, in particular, for claimants of long-term social insurance based illness and disability payments. The scheme provides an opportunity for such people with disabilities, and assessed to have an employment capacity which is restricted when compared to the norm, to avail of employment opportunities while continuing to receive an income support payment.
The partial capacity benefit scheme is open to people who are in receipt of invalidity pension or who have been in receipt of illness benefit for a minimum of six months. As these qualifying payments are based on social insurance contributions, they are not subject to a means-test. The means-tested disability allowance scheme, on the other hand, already contains provisions which facilitate people to engage in employment. Where a person in receipt of disability allowance takes up employment, the first €120 of weekly earnings is disregarded in the means-test and earnings above that threshold are assessed at 50% for the purpose of establishing means.
In light of these arrangements, it is not considered that it would be appropriate or necessary to extend the provisions of the partial capacity benefit scheme to the means-tested disability allowance scheme at this time.
43 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11695/12]
The Registrar General has informed me that a general review of the provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004 was completed in 2011. There are a range of issues to be considered in relation to the scope and implementation of any proposed changes to the provisions of the Act and some of these issues may have cross-departmental implications, which need to be considered also.
It is my intention to seek the approval of the Government to the drafting of the heads of a bill in relation to the amendment of the Civil Registration Act, 2004 in the near future.
44 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she can or will take to eliminate backlogs resulting in long delays in the issue of the various payments for which she is responsible with particular reference to what seems like interminable delays and circuitous repetitive procedures involving duplicative and time-consuming processes; if she will examine the cause or causes for contradictory and unsustainable opinion and its effects on applicants for carer’s allowance, domiciliary care allowance, disability allowance, invalidity pension, rent support, mortgage interest relief and or similar payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11888/12]
The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and decisions made on entitlement as quickly as possible. Each application for payment is determined by an officer of the Department taking account of the relevant legislative provisions and on the basis of the merits of each individual case. The timescale for determining applications are dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements, information from landlords, lending institutions etc. In addition, some aspects of the applications are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where further investigations or third party evidence is required or where a medical examination is required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
The provision of a prompt service is a major objective; however this has to be achieved in a manner that is consistent with the demands of natural justice and the need to ensure that every case is fully investigated. While certain cases may take more time to process than others, and I am aware that there are backlogs in certain areas, overall, I am satisfied that every effort is being made to decide social welfare claims in an efficient, effective and timely manner.
45 Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions she will take to tackle child poverty here in view of the fact that 19% of children are at risk of poverty, 9% live in consistent poverty and that 185,000 children live in households in which the family income is less than 60% of the national median income per adult; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8296/12]
Plans to tackle child poverty are outlined in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 (NAPSincl) and in the Programme for Government. The Government is committed to achieving the targets in the NAPsincl to reduce the number of people experiencing poverty. These targets are currently being reviewed to ensure that they continue to be appropriate and achievable. Consistent poverty and at-risk-of poverty rates for 2009 and 2010 are statistically the same. The EU at-risk-of poverty rate for children was 20.5 per cent in 2010 (EU27), up from 19.9 in 2009. Ireland's child poverty rate is slightly less than the European average at 18 per cent. The EU rate for Ireland and the national rate vary slightly because of methodological differences. The highest rates of poverty are in jobless households and households that have limited engagement with the labour market. These groups include lone parent families, unemployed people with disabilities and unemployed families. Children in jobless households are three times more likely to experience consistent poverty than children generally.
Therefore, a multidimensional approach to tackling child poverty is needed to take into account income supports, services and parental access to employment. The overriding objective for the Government is to increase employment, build real and sustainable economic growth and to protect those who are most vulnerable in our society. The Programme for Government sets out the framework to achieve these aims. Employment opportunities will be increased through labour market activation, skills training and education measures. New initiatives such as Pathways to Work will also facilitate especially those who have been long-term unemployed to re-enter the labour market. Given the scale of the fiscal crisis and because spending on social protection accounts for nearly 40 per cent of current Government expenditure, savings have to be found in the social welfare system. In Budget 2012, the Government has endeavoured insofar as it could to limit cuts in social welfare to households where there is some additional income over and above the basic social welfare payment and in that regard, avoided any general reduction in primary weekly welfare payments. The standardisation of child benefit rates announced in Budget 2012 is an important component of introducing a more appropriate system of child income supports. While it is recognised that this measure will have implications for some families, the payments that provide additional support to families on low incomes, such as child related increases to social welfare payments and the family income supplement, remain unchanged.
The poverty reduction effect after social transfers also demonstrates that the social protection system is protecting those at-risk-of-poverty. In 2010, social transfers (excluding pensions) reduced the at-risk-of-poverty rate by 60 per cent. From 2004 to 2009 (most recent data for children), the poverty reduction effect of social transfers for children's at-risk-of-poverty rate increased from 43 per cent to 60 per cent. This reflects concerted State intervention and investment in the social protection system during this period.
This Department works closely with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) in relation to these issues. The development of the Children and Young People's Policy Framework, 2012 -2017, as the overarching framework under which policy and services for children and young people will be developed and implemented in the State, is an important initiative for cross-departmental collaboration to secure this objective. Early childhood care and education programmes, in particular those that are aimed at low income families, are priorities in the DCYA to enhance children's opportunities for social and educational development and to support parents undertaking training and participating in employment. The network of 107 family resource centres that are funded by the Family Support Agency, under the remit of the DCYA, also have an important role in this regard. These programmes and the results of three Dublin-based pilot projects to enhance children's development which are jointly funded by the DCYA with a philanthropic organisation, will inform the Government's plans to develop a new area based approach to child poverty.
Finally, I understand that my colleague, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, plans to enhance the role of early intervention and support programmes for the most vulnerable children and their families in the context of the new Child and Family Support Agency.
46 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently prioritise the development of a single means testing unit or facility in her Department whereby persons could submit their documentation once, with any updates arising from changed circumstances, and then the means tests for all schemes or payments that the household apply for could be run from this data saving persons and her Department from unnecessarily wasting time and resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11872/12]
My Department operates a range of means tested schemes and these schemes, including the means testing elements, are administered through a network of local and central offices. In the case of means tested social assistance schemes, the vast majority of claimants are means tested only once. In a small number of cases, a second means test may be required if they apply for basic supplementary welfare allowance or rent / mortgage interest supplement.
Two important projects are currently underway which will enhance the delivery of means tested payments.
The objective of the first project is to facilitate the capture and storage of means information and the calculation of customer means across social assistance schemes. This application now is in use in four scheme areas and is in the process of being rolled out to further schemes.
One of the benefits of this project is that the Department will, where appropriate, be able to re-use means information already held which in turn will provide better customer service by reducing the need for different parts of the Department to request information from the applicant. Other benefits of this project include:
achieving qualitative and quantitative improvements in productivity;
achieving value for money in the use of resources;
implementing secure control processes;
providing better management information;
allowing for the future introduction of mobile working to facilitate the electronic capture of data at time of investigation; and
placing the Department in a position to anticipate and respond to changing business demands e.g. additional means factors, changes to scheme rules, etc.
The second project involves the establishment of the National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES). This will fully integrate the former FÁS employment services and community programmes and the former HSE Community Welfare Services (CWS) with the income maintenance role of the Department.
This project will transform social welfare offices into one-stop-shops where clients can access their entitlements and get help with planning their return to work. The Department is well advanced with a number of initiatives that facilitate the development of the NEES. Some 1,000 staff from the CWS became full staff members of the Department on 1 October 2011. The Employment Services and Community Employment Programmes have approximately 700 staff and provide a range of services to unemployed people, employed job seekers and employers. They were integrated into my Department on 1st January 2012.
The NEES project will result in a more coordinated approach to the provision of service to the public. This will create opportunities to remove duplication of work, including in the area of means assessment.
47 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend the rules of eligibility for activation programmes that often required the applicant to have spent one year on jobseeker’s allowance to make them accessible to groups that traditionally experience greater difficulty accessing the workforce for example for persons coming off a period spent on carer’s allowance and for qualified adults. [11869/12]
There are many activation programmes that do not require one year on Jobseeker's allowance. Those programmes that have such a requirement have particular objectives and are targeted at specific groups as it is not possible to cater for all groups on a single programme. My Department is currently reviewing employment programmes and supports and this review will include eligibility requirements. This review will be completed at the end of March 2012.
Persons from the categories outlined can discuss the various options that are currently available to them at their local employment services office. These options include, education, training and employment programmes.
48 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the introduction of biometric and photographic identification as a measure to tackle the issue of social welfare fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11701/12]
My Department has a wide ranging programme to combat social welfare fraud and abuse. The Fraud Initiative 2011-2013 sets out a range of actions to ensure an integrated approach to the prevention, deterrence and detection of social welfare abuse across the Department's services. Among the actions proposed is the roll-out of a new Public Services Card (PSC).
The PSC will be issued following a robust registration process and will incorporate identification features including a photograph and an electronic signature thus making it harder for people to use false identities. It will contain personal information inscribed on the face of the card for visual inspection and also electronically encoded on the card for access by a secure card reader.
A biometric template of the photograph will be created on the Department's own database to enhance the robust registration process and to help detect and/or prevent duplicate registrations through the application of facial image matching software. However, at this point in time, it is not proposed to store any biometric information on the PSC itself.
Biometric information is information about human body characteristics, such as fingerprints, eye retinas/irises, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand measurements and it is typically used for authentication purposes. Biometric data can associate a particular individual with a particular set of human characteristics. The selected biometric information can later be obtained from the individual and checked against the stored information, thus confirming that the same individual provided both sets of information. Any such system would need secure registration and identification processes and the ability to read and measure biometric information throughout. The cost of this infrastructure would be dependent on the specific biometric selected as the infrastructure (readers etc.) would need to be widely deployed.
The PSC itself can support the use of biometrics but it is not proposed to deploy it in this way, at this point in time.
I am confident that the new PSC will help to reduce fraud and error which could result from the incorrect identification of claimants. The Cards are being introduced on a phased basis with nearly 6,000 of them issued to date. A multi annual rollout programme which will involve the issuance of significant numbers of cards in 2012 and the following years is currently being finalised.
49 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on any new measures that she is considering to incentivise the hiring of unemployed persons from the live register in particular in areas in which there is high unemployment and local workers are finding it difficult to access any available vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11697/12]
While the primary responsibility for job creation rests with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, this Department has a role in supporting people from welfare to work. The Department already operates a diverse range of employment support measures designed to encourage and support social welfare recipients of working age to reduce their dependency on welfare payment and return to work. It is proposed that the effectiveness of these programmes will be evaluated in 2012 and that the programmes will be revised to improve their effectiveness as considered necessary. ‘Pathways To Work' which was launched last week will build on existing Government policies to ensure that as many new job opportunities as possible are filled by those on the live register.
In addition to its existing programmes and support my Department will incentivise return to work by extending and simplifying the Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme which exempts employers from liability to pay their share of PRSI for certain employees. Also, as part of the Pathways to Work plan, claimants will sign a rights and responsibilities contract and commit to a progression plan with the Department. The Department will engage with and provide supports (such as education, training, work placement or job search assistance) to each unemployed person to increase their prospects of securing a job. The Department will reset the relationship with employers, with more and better contact to ensure they have access to and are offered the right candidates to fill vacancies.
51 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been any increase in the number of applications for exceptional or emergency needs payments; if so, the scale of same; and if she will make additional funds available for administration by community welfare officers in view of cuts to social welfare payments made by budget 2012. [11875/12]
It should be noted that Budget 2012 did not impose any cuts to primary social welfare payments. Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. These exceptional needs (ENP) payments are a vital component of the SWA scheme and link the income support function of the scheme with the wider welfare role of the Department's community welfare service.
There is no automatic entitlement to a payment. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. An analysis of payments made in the first eight weeks of 2012 over 2011 shows that during this period a total of 33,800 ENP payments at a cost of €8.6m were made while in the corresponding period in 2011 a total of 38,600 payments were made at a cost of €10.6m. This represents a 12% reduction in the number of payments. There are no plans to make additional funds available.
53 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the claim made at a conference on 7 February 2012 that half the population will be living in fuel poverty within five years if current trends continue; and her plans in response to same. [11877/12]
I am aware of the claim made by an individual at the Energy Action conference and I do not accept it. The publication of "Warmer Homes — A Strategy for Affordable Energy in Ireland" at the end of November 2011 proposes, for the first time, a framework that will combine national and geographically focused actions to improve the thermal efficiency of the housing stock, provide targeted income supports and ensure that comprehensive advice and information is provided to vulnerable and other groups affected by energy poverty. My Department spent some €530 million in 2011 on the fuel allowance scheme and the telephone, gas and electricity elements of the household benefits package benefitting some 390,000 people on household benefits and 375,000 on the fuel allowance. In 2005 there were 325,000 people on household benefits and 265,000 on the fuel allowance at a cost of €280 million. This indicates that whilst the number of beneficiaries has increased by more than 20% the costs of provision of these schemes have almost doubled.
Energy efficiency is an area of increasing investment and innovation in Ireland. Improving energy efficiency will pay dividends for the environment, energy security and competitiveness. It will also contribute towards meeting our European target of 20% energy efficiency savings by 2020. Since 2006, more than €81 million has been expended on providing energy efficiency improvements in over 80,000 homes under the Better Energy programme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, on behalf of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. As set out in the Government's Affordable Energy Strategy, the focus in 2012 will shift to addressing those households considered at higher levels of energy poverty as a priority; such households typically spend over 20% of their disposable income on energy services. This will ensure that those most in need receive the benefit of energy efficiency measures first.
54 Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection if steps can be taken to ensure that social welfare recipients who are required to transfer from one payment to another are notified on time in order that there is no period between their renewed claim and payment of the second benefit (details supplied). [11698/12]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to persons who make a claim to invalidity pension and carer's allowance, having previously been in receipt of illness benefit and carer's benefit respectively. Since January 2009 payment of illness benefit is limited to a maximum of 104 weeks (624 pay days) in most cases. There are a number of possible social welfare payments for which a customer may qualify thereafter, depending on their circumstances. Letters are sent to illness benefit customers 13 weeks before their claim is due to expire. The customer is advised about other possible schemes for which they may qualify, including invalidity pension, disability allowance, jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance and supplementary welfare allowance. Customers are also advised that if they are considering applying for any of the schemes they should do so as soon as possible.
There has been a consistent upward trend in recent years in the number of applicants for invalidity pension. There were 7,475 new claims registered in 2009, 8,774 in 2010 and 14,621 in 2011. Recipients of short-term illness benefit do not automatically qualify for invalidity pension. They must be permanently incapable of work and satisfy the social insurance (PRSI) conditions. In an effort to ensure that recipients of illness benefit receive a decision on invalidity pension in advance of the expiry of their illness benefit, resources are prioritised towards those claims where illness benefit is due to expire first. Every effort is made to process claims prior to the expiry of the illness benefit entitlement. It should be noted, however, that an average of approximately 70% of all such claims for invalidity pension are found not to qualify.
The carer's benefit scheme is a weekly income support payment which is intended to support people who must leave the workforce temporarily to care for someone who is in need of full-time care and attention. Entitlement to carer's benefit is based on an applicant satisfying medical, employment and PRSI contribution conditions. The maximum duration of the carer's benefit scheme is currently 104 weeks. However, it is important to note that each care recipient may receive a total of 104 weeks care. This may be claimed as a single continuous period or in separate tranches. Carer's benefit claimants are contacted 20 weeks prior to the expiry of their benefit and reminded to consider applying for carer's allowance if their caring duties are likely to extend beyond the expiry of their entitlement to carer's benefit and where they have a need for continuing income support.
Carer's allowance is a social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to elderly people or to people with disabilities and whose income falls below certain limits. Processing of applications for carer's allowance from persons who are already in receipt of carer's benefit are prioritised as far as possible. If a person has an income support need pending a decision on any scheme they may apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance payment from their local community welfare officer. The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. Processes and procedures are continuously reviewed with the explicit objective of reducing delays. The position is being closely monitored and kept under review by my Department.
57 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will emphasise the actual values attributable to fraud in real money and that which is down to error; if her attention has been drawn to the social and psychological impact that the depiction of welfare fraud via the media has on persons who are depending on social welfare to make ends meet as a result of the economic crisis, disability, age or caring responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11873/12]
The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department which administers over 70 schemes. It processes in excess of 2.5 million applications per annum and issues over 85 million payments per year to 2.2 million customers and their families. I am fully conscious that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them. However, the country is experiencing a very serious recession and as one of the largest spending Departments, we have to take the necessary steps to ensure that all public money is accounted for appropriately.
Social welfare fraud is not a victimless crime, it undermines public confidence in the system as well as being unfair to other social welfare recipients, to the taxpayer and to businesses being run on a legitimate basis. It is against this backdrop that I have asked my Department to step up its efforts to target fraud. To prove fraud requires careful investigation of the case, establishment of the facts often under a cautioned interview, a disallowance of payment by the deciding officer and the setting up of an overpayment in respect of the historical period, where that is possible. In 2010, total overpayments amounted to €83.4m which represented 0.41% of total Departmental expenditure. Overpayments arising from activity suspected of being fraudulent amounted to €25.9m in 2010. The overpayments figures for 2011 will not be available until audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The following is the full breakdown of the classification of 2010 overpayments:
|
2010 OP’s |
% of total OP’s |
|
|
Suspected Fraud |
€25.9m |
31% |
|
Customer 3rd Party Error |
€42.4m |
51% |
|
Dept Error |
€5.2m |
6% |
|
Estate |
€9.9m |
12% |
My Department's Fraud Initiative takes a revised and renewed approach to the challenges posed by social welfare fraud. The ambition is to ensure that the approach to social welfare fraud is seen as tough but fair, with appropriate sanctions in place to those who perpetrate fraud. I am very aware that the vast majority of people turn to my Department for support at a time of need in their lives and I want to ensure that our reduced resources are available for these people.
60 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons here who took up working holiday visas in 2010 and 2011 under the agreements with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the USA, by country; and the allocation of visas for here for each of these countries for 2012. [11993/12]
Working Holiday agreements are concluded between Ireland and other Governments on a reciprocal basis. For Irish citizens the application is administered directly with the Embassy concerned or through a sponsoring organisation. The table sets out the visa allocation for 2012 and the available information on the number of visas approved in 2010 and 2011. In the case of Australia and New Zealand the programme runs from 1 July to 30 June each year and the figures provided reflect these periods.
The Working Holiday agreement concluded between Ireland and the United States allows those enrolled in or recently graduated from post-secondary education to apply for a visa to work and live in the United States for a period of one year. Allocations under the Working Holiday agreements for each of the countries concerned are reviewed on a regular basis. Allocations remain unchanged with the exception of Canada whose allocation has increased annually from an initial 2,500 to 5,350 places in 2012.
|
Working Holiday Agreement |
No. of Visa Approvals in 2010 |
No. of Visa Approvals in 2011 |
Allocation in 2012 |
|
Argentina |
21 |
18 |
100 |
|
Australia |
14,833 |
21,753 |
Not capped |
|
Canada |
4,227 |
5,028 |
5,350 |
|
Hong Kong |
21 |
33 |
100 |
|
Japan |
50 |
37 |
400 |
|
New Zealand |
2,095 |
2,767 |
Not capped |
|
South Korea |
5 |
6 |
400 |
|
U.S.A. |
599 |
962 |
Not capped |
61 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if a person in arrears with the mortgage but who continues to pay some or all of the mortgage interest is entitled to mortgage interest relief subject to meeting the other eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11914/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that under existing arrangements lenders are required to report details of mortgage arrears to Revenue where cumulative arrears of 18 months or more exist. In such cases, Revenue requires lenders to provide information regarding the precise nature of the arrear such as whether the customer is making interest payments and if so, the amount. Based on this information, Revenue determines whether interest relief should continue to be paid or ceased on a case-by-case basis. Where interest relief is ceased by Revenue, and the mortgage is subsequently the subject of repayment in accordance with an agreed schedule with the mortgage provider, then subject to an application for relief by the mortgage holder, relief is restored by Revenue. The relevant interest relief ceiling will of course apply so that if the overall interest repaid by the mortgage holder exceeds the relevant ceiling, interest relief for interest payments beyond that ceiling will not be available.
62 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the National Asset Management Agency is a State authority for the purposes of the Statute of Limitations Act 1957; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11920/12]
NAMA is not a State authority for the purposes of the Statute of Limitations Act 1957. A state authority means any authority being a Minister of State or the Commissioner of Public Works in Ireland or the Irish Land Commission or the Revenue Commissioners or the Attorney General. The primary consequence of being a state authority is that it removes time limits on bringing a legal action specific to the purposes of the state authority. As NAMA is not a state authority for the purpose of the statute of limitations, this means that NAMA is subject to the same time limits in bringing legal actions as other legal persons.
63 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Finance if he can provide a full tax statement for a pension (details supplied) in Dublin 11 for a specific two year period. [11925/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, following a thorough search they are unable to locate details of Pay and Tax deducted for the years 1982/83 and 1983/84 in respect of the person in question.
64 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the saving to the Exchequer if the income tax relief for the rent a room scheme was abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11945/12]
On the basis of information provided in tax returns for the income tax year 2009, the latest year for which the most recent detailed information is available, the cost to the Exchequer of income tax relief for the rent-a-room scheme is estimated at approximately €5.6 million. On this basis the full year yield to the Exchequer of abolishing the tax relief would be of the same order.
65 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that when a credit union has the technology available to it enabling its members access their funds remotely for point of sale transactions and web payments, these payments are third party electronic payments exempted under Statutory Instrument No. 838/2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11958/12]
Section 48 of the Credit Union Act 1997 provides that a credit union may offer additional services to its members subject to these services appearing to the Central Bank of Ireland to be of mutual benefit to its members. Each credit union is required to apply to the Registrar of Credit Unions for permission to provide the service. However, in cases where a service appears to the Central Bank to generally involve no risk to the assets of the credit union or the funds of its members, the Minister for Finance has powers under Section 48(2) of the Act to make regulations under Section 182, exempting such a service from the requirement to have the separate prior approval of the Registrar.
S.I. No. 838/2007 sets out the Credit Union Act 1997 (Exemption from Additional Services Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2007. These regulations were made by the then Minister for Finance under Section 182, following consultations with the Registrar of Credit Unions. They provide that individual credit unions can offer any service whereby a credit union member may arrange to have transferred to or from his or her account third party payments by way of electronic funds transfer or otherwise, without requiring the prior approval of the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank.
It is not possible to be definitive on whether the services to which the Deputy refers would be third party electronic payments exempted under S.I. 838/2007 in all circumstances. It is a matter for individual credit unions to ensure, in the context of the specific nature of a proposed service, if the proposed service falls within the definition under S.I. No. 838/2007. In addition to the provision of such services being required to meet the requirements under those Regulations, credit unions are also required to meet all legislative and regulatory requirements under the Credit Union Act 1997 including the provisions set out in Section 32(3) of the Act, relating to restrictions on withdrawal of members' savings.
The Registrar of Credit Unions has advised that a circular, which issued to all credit unions on 27 January 2010, states that any credit union considering providing new card services to their members is required to contact the Registry of Credit Unions prior to developing any such services.
66 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that credit unions which already have the facility to offer their members their own individual bank accounts, will be included in any programme to promote a basic payment account to the unbanked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11962/12]
The Final Report on the Strategy for Financial Inclusion which was published on my Department's website in March 2011 identified that the credit unions have the potential to play a key role in the provision of the basic payment account and in the promotion of financial inclusion in the future. It is planned that there will be a pilot stage for the basic payment account which is expected to commence in mid 2012. Following an analysis of the outcome of the pilot stage, it is intended to roll the account out on a nationwide basis in 2013. It is expected that all credit institutions, including credit unions, will be able to participate in the provision of the basic payment account in 2013, provided they have the appropriate technology, infrastructure and systems and controls in place to provide this service.
The Commission on Credit Unions is examining the issue of "social lending" and how credit unions can play a role in providing financial services and products to meet the needs of low income groups and the unbanked. The final report of the Commission is due to be submitted to me by the end of March 2012.
67 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the mechanism a person has to use in regard to employment opportunities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11992/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that an individual's income from all sources, including income from employment, self-employment, pensions and investments, is taken into account in determining his or her annual income tax liability. The individual is entitled to tax credits which reduce this liability. An individual's civil status determines the level of tax credits available to them for the year of assessment. For 2012 these are:
|
Tax Credits |
€ |
|
Single person’s tax credit |
€1,650 |
|
PAYE tax credit |
€1,650 |
|
Widowed person/surviving civil partner tax credit |
€2,190 |
|
Married persons/persons in a civil partnership tax credit (where jointly assessed) |
€3,300 |
|
Age tax credit (over 65) if single/ widowed/ surviving civil partner |
€245 |
|
Age tax credit (over 65) if married/ in a civil partnership |
€490 |
The tax rate bands applicable to the individual for 2012 are as follows:
Single, widowed or surviving civil partner without dependent children —€32,800 @ 20%, balance @ 41%.
Single, widowed or surviving civil partner qualifying for one parent family tax credit —€36,800 @ 20%, balance @ 41%.
Married or in a civil partnership — one spouse or civil partner with income —€41,800 @ 20%, balance @ 41%.
Married or in a civil partnership — both spouses or civil partners with income —€41,800 @ 20% (with an increase of €23,800 max), balance @ 41%.
The increase in the standard rate tax band is restricted to the lower of €23,800 in year 2012 or the amount of the income of the spouse or civil partner with the lower income. The increase is not transferable between spouses or civil partners.
Individuals aged over 65 have no income tax liability if aggregate income for the year does not exceed €18,000, where single, or a joint income of €36,000, where married or in a civil partnership.
Marginal relief can be applied where one or both parties are over the age of 65, where an individual's income, or the joint income of a couple, exceeds the exemption limit. The taxpayer is given the benefit of paying the lesser of the tax on the excess of their income over the exemption limit at 40%, or alternatively the application of normal rate bands and credits.
Income is also subject to the Universal Social Charge (USC) at the following rates for 2012:
If the aggregate income is less than €10,036 for the year USC is not payable.
Where the aggregate income is €10,036 or over:
if the individual is under the age of 70 years the first €10,036 is charged at a rate of 2%, the next €5,980 is at a rate of 4% and the remainder is at a rate of 7%.
If the individual is over the age of 70 years the first €10,036 is at a rate of 2% and the remainder is at a rate of 4%.
For USC purposes the income of each spouse or civil partner is considered separately.
The Universal Social Charge (USC) does not apply to payments made under the Social Welfare Acts and similar type payments. Given the limited information in this question I am unable to be more specific in my answer. However, further information on entitlements and liabilities is available from the local Revenue Office on request or the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
The issue of whether this individual is required to make social insurance contributions to the Social Fund in respect of their self employed income, is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
68 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the situation in relation to a pensioner couple over 70 where the man has contributory State pension plus qualified adult allowance for spouse and a private managed pension fund bringing in perhaps income of €20,000 per annum, the spouse never worked outside the home and has no separate income but the private managed fund has recently been put in joint names; if he will clarify the effects of such a decision on joint names; if it will affect entitlement to full QAA on social protection pension, taxation commitments or indeed allowances; if the spouse will now get an extra tax allowance if she is legally to be tax assessed in her own name or can matters continue as before with all income taxed in husband’s name only; if he will clarify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12013/12]
My officials inform me that the Deputy has clarified that the "private managed pension fund" referred to is to be taken as a reference to an occupational pension from a private sector employment. As the Deputy will be aware, an occupational pension scheme is generally managed by a pension provider or by an administrator appointed by that pension provider. In addition, given the tax benefits of pension schemes, occupational pension schemes are those generally approved by the Revenue Commissioners for various purposes of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not aware of a scenario wherein an occupational pension scheme would be in the name of an individual entitled to a pension under that scheme. Nor are they aware of a scenario wherein an individual entitled to a pension under the rules of an occupational pension scheme can simply change that entitlement to include an entitlement of his or her spouse. I am further informed by the Revenue Commissioners that if the Deputy is prepared to forward details to my officials (for onward transmission to Revenue) of the specific case to which the question refers, they will examine the case with the view to providing the information being sought by the Deputy.
As to whether the amount and nature of an individual's income may affect an entitlement to the increase in a social welfare pension payable in respect of an individual having what is known as a "qualifying adult dependant" is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
69 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of discussions between him and AIB officials, he is satisfied sufficient notification was given to EBS staff that a bonus payment which was due in December 2011 will not be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12049/12]
I addressed the issue raised by the Deputy in his question when contributing to a Topical Issues debate on the matter of the EBS "13 Month" payment on 15 December 2011. The record of the House shows I indicated that "I have the utmost sympathy for EBS staff regarding the timing of the announcement of the decision that this so-called 13th month payment would not be made. This does not reflect well on management and should not have happened. However, this payment is described in the contracts of the relevant staff members as the payment of a Christmas bonus. The terms of the latest capital investment in AIB and its accompanying letters made clear in July 2011 that no bonuses whatsoever could be paid or awarded." I am happy that through the combined efforts of management and trade union officials, with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission, a solution was found acceptable to all parties whilst respecting the above principle
I might add to reinforce that principle that as informed by AIB, and contrary to continuing media reporting on the issue, no such payments have been made to EBS management since 1992 and no bonuses of any kind have been paid to this cadre of employee since 2008 in line with the conditions outlined above.
70 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his view on reports that Bank of Ireland has completed a restructure of only a small percentage of home loans that are in arrears or classified as impaired in view of the fact that this is resulting in additional distress for homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12051/12]
Bank of Ireland is an independent commercial entity and, subject to compliance with relevant legal, regulatory and accounting requirements, it is a matter for the institution's Board and management to manage and report on its mortgage book and other lending activities.
However, from a public policy perspective, a number of steps have been taken to protect all homeowners experiencing mortgage difficulty. The Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears provides that each bank must put in place a formal Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process to deal with its mortgage customers who are in arrears or pre-arrears and for the establishment of dedicated arrears support units and appeals processes to handle such cases. The Central Bank has published a guide for consumers on mortgage arrears called ‘Mortgage Arrears — A Consumer Guide to Dealing with your Lender' and this is available on the Central Bank website: http://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/processes/consumer-protection-code/Documents/Consumer%20Booklet%20-%20FINAL%20Feb%202011.pdf. The Deputy will be aware that recent data from the Central Bank indicates that the number of restructured mortgages is increasing across the system. At end December 2011, a total of 74,379 mortgages were restructured compared to 69,735 at the end of September 2011 and 59,229 at the end of December 2010.
In addition, as part of the overall process to implement the recommendations made in the report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Mortgage Arrears, the Central Bank is currently reviewing the mortgage arrears resolution strategies of all mortgage lenders to ensure that they are looking at a range of appropriate longer term solutions, such as those recommended in the Inter-Departmental Group report as well as other options that banks may themselves develop, for their customers who having difficulty meeting their mortgage commitments. In its engagement with banks on this matter, the Central Bank advises that it will wish to ensure that banks manage the capital cost of such solutions, ensure that there is transparency and fairness to the consumer and also ensure that banks have the operational capacity to implement such solutions.
71 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take with the PTSB in relation to the levels of variable interest applied which is pushing thousands of homeowners into arrears. [12067/12]
The lending institutions in Ireland, including those in which the State has a significant shareholding, are independent commercial entities.
Ultimately the pricing of financial products, including standard variable mortgage interest rates, is a commercial decision for the management team and board of each lending institution, having due regard to their customers and the impact on profitability, particularly where the cost of funding to each lending institution, including deposit pricing, is under pressure.
Neither the Central Bank nor I have any responsibility for any variation in the variable mortgage interest rates charged by Permanent TSB. However, as I have indicated in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions on this subject, the Central Bank has advised me that it will continue to engage with specific lenders which appear to have standard variable rates set disproportionate to their cost of funds.
72 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if it is still his view that the National Asset Management Agency will make a profit for the Irish Exchequer as per the view espoused by his predecessor upon the establishment of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12073/12]
In July 2010 NAMA published its Business Plan which incorporated three different scenarios and their associated net present value (NPV) outcomes over its expected life time. These included a scenario where there was a recovery of long term economic value which suggested that there was a positive NPV of €1bn; a scenario of long term economic value plus 10 per cent suggesting a positive NPV of €3.9bn or a recovery of long term economic value minus 10 per cent equating to a loss of €0.8bn. The NAMA Board is currently reviewing its strategy in the light of developments in the Irish economy and in the property market since it published its Business Plan in July 2010. I am advised by NAMA that the key factors which the Board considers critical in terms of NAMA's ultimate profitability includes the performance of various economies in which its debtors' assets are located, the timing and sustainability of any recovery in the property market in Ireland, the sustainability of the UK property market, the availability of finance and the extent to which it can maximise the level of income produced by its loans and property assets securing them. I have asked the NAMA Board to keep me informed of its deliberations.
73 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the number of persons employed by the National Treasury Management Agency, showing the details for National Asset Management Agency staff separately, who received bonus payments in respect of 2011; the overall amount that was paid; the highest amount paid to any individual; and the average payment to the employees in question. [12077/12]
74 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed by the National Treasury Management Agency including the National Asset Management Agency who took a reduction in their basic salary in the past 12 months; and the overall aggregate amount of the reductions incurred by persons employed by the organisation. [12078/12]
75 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the overall number of persons employed by the National Treasury Management Agency, shown by the agency’s constituent bodies; and the average salary which was paid in respect of 2011. [12079/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 to 75, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency that the Agency's remuneration review in respect of 2011 is currently being finalised. Last December I wrote to the NTMA Chief Executive asking him to ask all NTMA employees whose salary exceeds €200,000 to consider waiving at least 15% of salary or such amount of salary as exceeds €200,000. The Chief Executive replied that he and the CEO of NAMA would waive 15% of their salaries and that he had circulated my letter to the other NTMA employees concerned asking them to respond to him on the matter.
The total number of NTMA employees at end-2011 is set out in the table below:
|
NTMA Staffing 31 December 2011 |
No. |
|
Funding and Debt Management |
12 |
|
Banking Unit |
9 |
|
State Claims Agency |
63 |
|
National Pensions Reserve Fund |
10 |
|
National Development Finance Agency |
34 |
|
National Asset Management Agency |
193 |
|
NewERA |
6 |
|
Finance, IT and Risk |
70 |
|
HR and Corporate Services |
8 |
|
Legal, Control and Compliance |
16 |
|
Other |
12 |
|
Total |
433 |
The average salary of NTMA employees at end-2011 was €93,225.
76 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if in the context of determination of entitlement to mortgage interest relief in respect of a second dwelling in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, consideration will be given by the Revenue Commissioners to the fact that the original dwelling was defective and by agreement surrendered to the developer whereupon a new arrangement had to be entered into in respect of the replacement dwelling which in turn would now appear to prevent the entitlement to mortgage interest relief; if the matter will be reviewed to ensure that in such circumstances the entitlement is confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12111/12]
As I announced in the Budget, the proposed new 30% rate of tax relief in respect of interest paid on qualifying home loans for first time buyers who took out their first qualifying home loan in the period between 2004 and 2008 (both dates inclusive) comes into effect as regards the 2012 tax year and subsequent tax years until end 2017. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have reviewed the case in question and have determined that the 30% rate should apply to the loan. Revenue will write to the person concerned confirming the position in that regard shortly.
77 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of instances in which covered institutions are using taxpayers’ money to challenge in the High Court decisions made by the financial ombudsman in favour of mortgage holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12112/12]
Under Section 57 CL (1) of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act, 2004, if either a regulated financial service provider or a complainant is dissatisfied with a finding of the Financial Service Ombudsman (FSO), either the financial service provider or the complainant concerned may appeal to the High Court against the finding. Subject to any such appeal, a finding of the FSO is legally binding on the parties to a complaint. The FSO respects the right of parties to a complaint to appeal a finding as set out in the legislation and fully engages in all such appeals on a case by case basis, and in accordance with such legal advice as it may receive in respect of each appeal. As the Deputy is aware, the covered financial institutions operate at arm’s length from the Minister in relation to the day to day operations of the institutions. A decision to appeal or not appeal a finding of the FSO is a commercial/legal decision for the financial institution involved and as such I have no function in such matters.
78 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011 or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12573/12]
In response to the Deputy's question each Department is responsible for providing pension fund details in relation to commercial semi State companies for which they hold responsibility. In relation to my own Department there are no commercial semi State companies that come under my aegis.
79 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will accede to a request from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare to discuss essential works on the school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11913/12]
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to carry out various improvement works to their school building. As the scope of works for which funding is sought is outside the terms of the scheme it cannot be considered for funding. The school authority has been informed of this decision.
80 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the early childhood care and education scheme and a school place in respect of a child (details supplied); and if he will resolve the capacity issue and the regulations in the school before it is too late. [11929/12]
The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In this regard a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
81 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is his intention to have a summer works scheme in 2012; and if he will include window replacements. [11963/12]
92 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of grant aid in County Kerry (details provided); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12021/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 92 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which was published on 10th November last, sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system. Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 — over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary — and will continue to grow up to at least 2024 at post-primary.
In view of the very real need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years.
In the context, therefore, of the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation, it is not possible for me to advance with a summer works programme this year.
82 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 9 February 2012, will he provide clarification as to the provision of a special needs assistant for this child; and if he will provide a timeframe for when the school and parents can expect to hear the result of their appeal submitted to the National Council for Special Education. [11968/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that as outlined to him in my response to his question of 9th February, 2012, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant Support (SNA). The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the matter raised by the Deputy in relation to an individual application for SNA support to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
83 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that a site has been acquired for the purpose of constructing a new school building in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if the project will be included in the five-year building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11972/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the proposed acquisition of a site for the school he referred to is at an advanced stage and pre-contract enquiries are on-going between the solicitors of the relevant parties.
As the Deputy will also be aware, I have already indicated in the context of the announcement of the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework on the 10th of November 2011, which sets out the demographic challenges facing the education system in the coming years, that I intend to publish a five year plan outlining the projects that will commence construction during that time.
In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years.
The current position of all projects on the school building programme, including this project, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. Details in relation to projects are updated regularly.
84 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of all-girls primary schools in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11973/12]
In the 2010/11 school year there were 143 all girls primary schools. The gender of a school is defined according to the enrolment of boys and girls in mainstream classes. A full list of schools with their enrolments is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp? pcategory=10917&ecategory=12016&language=EN.
85 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the name and address of all the all-girls schools in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11974/12]
The names and addresses of all girls schools as requested by the Deputy are contained in the tables. The list for primary schools is for the year 2010/11 as the information for the 2011/12 school year is currently being processed. The list for post-primary schools is for 2011/12 school year.
|
Roll No. |
Official School Name |
Address Line 1 |
Address Line 2 |
Address Line 3 |
Address Line 4 |
|
00359V |
St. Louis Girls National School |
Park Road |
Monaghan Town |
||
|
00570R |
Mhuire Naofa Cailini |
Bishop Street |
Limerick |
||
|
00729F |
Clochar Loreto N S |
Grange Road |
Rathfarnham |
Dublin 14 |
|
|
00779U |
Presentation Girls Primary School |
Maynooth |
Co. Kildare |
||
|
00851C |
Presentation Convent |
Ballymakenny Road |
Drogheda |
Co. Louth |
|
|
01862M |
Tipperary G N S |
St. Michael’s St |
Tipperary |
||
|
02707F |
Sundays Well G N S |
Cork |
Co. Cork |
||
|
03220F |
Mercy Primary School |
Birr |
Co. Offaly |
||
|
04062S |
Listowel Presentation Primary |
Listowel |
Co. Kerry |
||
|
05257P |
Presentation Convent |
Bandon |
Co. Cork |
||
|
05437R |
Presentation Convent G.N.S. |
Mooncoin |
Co. Kilkenny |
||
|
05508O |
St Columbas N.S |
With Facility For Deaf Children |
Dughlas |
Corcaigh |
|
|
07183W |
St Josephs Girls N.S. |
Davitt Road |
Mountmellick |
Co. Laois. |
|
|
07651G |
Convent Of Mercy |
Clonakilty |
Co. Cork |
||
|
07722D |
St Peters N S Snr |
Athlone |
Co. Westmeath |
||
|
08052M |
Scoil Mhuire Fatima |
Dublin Road |
Drogheda |
Co. Louth |
|
|
08320L |
Kenmare Convent |
Kenmare |
Co. Kerry |
||
|
08430S |
Scoil Naomh Seosamh |
Skibbereen |
Co. Cork |
||
|
08958O |
S N An Eanaigh Cailini |
Ballyglunin |
Co. Galway |
||
|
09296W |
Our Ladys Abbey |
Scoil Na Gcailini |
Adare |
Co. Limerick |
|
|
09432E |
St Josephs Primary School |
Murgasty Road |
Tipperary Town |
Tipperary |
|
|
11894I |
Scoil Mhuire |
Gilford Road |
Sandymount |
Dublin 4 |
|
|
11976K |
Scoil Chóca Naofa |
Cill Chóca, |
Co. Chill Dara. |
||
|
12007G |
Our Lady Of Good Counsel Ns |
Ferrybank |
Waterford |
||
|
12535I |
S N Ursula Naofa |
Ursuline Convent |
Waterford |
||
|
12975N |
St Josephs Convent |
Newcastle West |
Co. Limerick |
||
|
13118U |
Clara Convent N S |
Clara |
Co. Offaly |
||
|
13343E |
Scoil Bhride |
Still Brook |
Mountrath |
Co. Laois |
|
|
13447Q |
Scoil Mhuire |
Lucan |
Co. Dublin |
||
|
13507I |
S N Muire Lourdes |
Tullow |
Co. Carlow |
||
|
13542K |
Cahirciveen Convent |
Cahirciveen |
Co. Kerry |
||
|
13612F |
Presentation Primary School |
Terenure |
Dublin 6w |
||
|
13661S |
Dunmanway Convent N S |
Dunmanway |
Co. Cork |
||
|
13910N |
S N Bun An Tsabhairne |
Crosshaven |
Co. Cork |
||
|
13932A |
S N Naomh Michael |
Arklow |
Co. Wicklow |
||
|
14651U |
Castletown Rd Convent |
Castletown Rd |
Dundalk |
Co. Louth |
|
|
15011M |
S N C Bhlarna |
Iosagain |
An Bhlarna |
Co. Corcai |
|
|
15056L |
S N San Vinseann Cailin |
North William St |
Dublin 1 |
||
|
15253N |
St Patricks Girls Ns |
Cambridge Road |
Dublin 4 |
||
|
15259C |
S N N Maolmhaodhagh C |
Dundalk |
Co. Louth |
||
|
15329U |
Bun Scoil Louis Naofa |
Cloughvalley |
Carrickmacross |
Co. Monaghan |
|
|
15632V |
St Joseph Girls N.S. School |
Kilmacow |
Co. Kilkenny |
Via Waterford |
|
|
16112A |
St Marys Convent |
Nenagh |
Co. Tipperary |
||
|
16142J |
S N Min Na Manrach |
An Clochan Liath |
Leitir Ceanainn |
Co. Dhun Na Ngall |
|
|
16159D |
Mallow Con N S |
Mallow |
Co. Cork |
||
|
16202B |
Castleblayney Convent |
Castleblayney |
Co. Monaghan |
||
|
16353W |
St Brigids Girls N S |
The Park |
Cabinteely |
Dublin 18 |
|
|
16444C |
Scoil Padraig Naofa C |
Dublin Road |
Limerick |
||
|
16566Q |
Scoil Brid |
Main Street |
Celbridge |
Co. Kildare |
|
|
16577V |
St Brigids Convent |
Glasnevin |
Dublin 11 |
111 |
|
|
16636L |
Curragh Camp G N S |
Curragh Camp |
Co. Kildare |
||
|
16648S |
Ath Treasna G N S |
Ath Treasna |
Co. Cork |
||
|
16753P |
St Vincent De Pauls Girls School |
Griffith Avenue |
Dublin 9 |
103 |
|
|
16792C |
St Brigids Convent N S |
Killester |
Dublin 5 |
105 |
|
|
16793E |
Mary Immaculate Ns |
Collooney |
Co. Sligo |
||
|
16821G |
Clochar Padraig Naofa |
Carndonagh |
Co. Donegal |
||
|
16860Q |
Corpus Christi N S |
Home Farm Road |
Drumcondra |
Dublin 9 |
109 |
|
16874E |
S N Naomh Iosef G |
Rathnew |
Co. Wicklow |
||
|
16928B |
S N Naomh Philomena |
Tullamore |
Co. Offaly |
||
|
16964F |
Scoil Mhuire Ogh 1 |
Loreto College |
Crumlin Rd |
Dublin 12 |
112 |
|
16989V |
Christ The King G N S |
Cabra |
Dublin 7 |
107 |
|
|
17060M |
Convent Of Mercy N S |
Abbeyfeale |
Co. Limerick |
||
|
17067D |
Christ King Girls Primary School |
Turner’s Cross |
Cork |
||
|
17103E |
St Marys Convent G |
Carrigtwohill |
Co. Cork |
||
|
17105I |
Muire Gan Smal C |
Glasheen |
Cork |
||
|
17148D |
S N Eoin Baisde G Sen |
Seafield Road |
Clontarf |
Dublin 3 |
103 |
|
17156C |
Scoil Naomh Aine |
Charleville |
Co. Cork |
||
|
17228B |
Clochar Muire N S |
Rathdrum |
Co. Wicklow |
||
|
17313P |
Our Lady Of Lourdes |
Ballinlough |
Cork |
||
|
17314R |
Scoil Naomh Eoin Dea |
Kilkenny |
Co. Kilkenny |
||
|
17355I |
Muire Na Dea Coirle G |
Mourne Road |
Drimnagh |
Dublin 12 |
112 |
|
17367P |
Scoil Mhuire Gns |
Navan Road |
Dublin 7 |
107 |
|
|
17457Q |
Nmh Ioseph N S |
New Ross |
Co. Wexford |
||
|
17459U |
Christ The King I G |
Cabra |
Dublin 7 |
107 |
|
|
17465P |
Dominican Convent Girls |
Cabra |
Dublin 7 |
107 |
|
|
17525H |
Light Of Christ National School |
Dunmore East |
Co. Waterford |
||
|
17576B |
Scoil An Choroin Mhuire |
Wicklow Town |
Co. Wicklow |
||
|
17671S |
Maria Auxiliatrix N S |
Fernbank |
Limerick |
||
|
17755B |
Scoil Naomh Mhuire C |
Ballincollig |
Co. Cork |
||
|
17840P |
S N Bheinin Naofa C |
Duleek |
Co. Meath |
||
|
17891J |
Scoil Mhuire |
Mount Sackville Convent |
Chapelizod |
Dublin 20 |
120 |
|
17970F |
Cl Scoil M Na Trocaire |
Baile An Bhothair |
Co. Baile Atha Cliath |
132 |
|
|
17977T |
Scoil Aine C |
Raheny |
Dublin 5 |
105 |
|
|
17979A |
S N Cnoc Ainbhil |
Lr Kilmacud Rd |
Stillorgan/Blackrock |
Co. Dublin. |
114 |
|
18047C |
Scoil Bride C |
Blanchardstown |
Dublin 15 |
||
|
18052S |
S N Muire Gan Smal |
Clochar Loreto |
Leitir Ceanainn |
Co. Dhun Na Ngall |
|
|
18073D |
S N Mhuire C |
Allenwood |
Naas |
Co. Kildare |
|
|
18098T |
S N Bhride C |
Bothar Brugha |
Drogheda |
Co. Louth |
|
|
18099V |
S N Muire Na Trocaire |
Ardee |
Co. Louth |
||
|
18153B |
S N Padraig Naofa C |
Dillons Cross |
Cork |
||
|
18170B |
SN Muire Na Freastogala |
Siuracha Na Carthanachr |
Baile Uailcin |
Baile Atha Cliath 12 |
|
|
18212O |
Scoil Na Maighdine Mhuire |
P.O. Box 8, |
Harbour Street, |
Mullingar, |
Co. Westmeath |
|
18237H |
Maria Assumpta G N S |
Ballyphehane |
Cork |
||
|
18238J |
Maria Assumpta Jnr Inft |
Ballyphehane |
Cork |
||
|
18324C |
Scoil Bride C |
Palmerstown |
Dublin 20 |
||
|
18341C |
Sn Louise De Marillac C |
Drumfin Rd |
Ballyfermot |
Dublin 10 |
|
|
18361I |
S N Caitriona C |
Coolock |
Dublin 5 |
||
|
18363M |
S N Muire Gan Smal |
Green Lane |
Carlow |
||
|
18412W |
S N C Naomh Padraig |
Donabate |
Co. Dublin |
||
|
18455R |
Our Lady Of Assumption |
Siuracha Na Carthanacha |
Baile Uailcin |
Baile Atha Cliath 12 |
|
|
18509O |
An Teaghlaigh Naofa |
Clochar Na Trocaire |
Port Lairge |
||
|
18535P |
St. Johns Girls N S |
Ballea Rd |
Carrigaline |
Co. Cork |
|
|
18563U |
Scoil Naomh Brid C |
Eglantine House |
Ballinlough |
Cork |
|
|
18566D |
S N Athair Maitiu C |
An Tochair |
Corcaigh |
||
|
18587L |
Scoil Mhuire Banrion |
Mayfield |
Cork |
||
|
18624O |
Mercy Convent Killaloe |
Killaloe |
Co. Clare |
||
|
18683H |
St Canices G N S |
Finglas |
Dublin 11 |
||
|
18689T |
Our Lady Of Mercy Senior P.S. |
Military Road |
Waterford |
||
|
18694M |
Convent Of Mercy N S |
Castlebar |
Co. Mayo |
||
|
18767N |
S N Realt Na Mara (C) |
Domhnach Cearnaigh |
Mornington |
Drogheda |
Co. Meath |
|
18793O |
Sc Naomh Eoin Le Dia |
Passage Road |
Waterford |
||
|
18911R |
Bantiarna Na Mbuanna G |
Baile Munna |
Dublin 9 |
||
|
18969C |
St Eithnes Senior G N S |
Edenmore |
Raheny |
Dublin 5 |
|
|
18977B |
S N Cholmcille C |
Swords |
Co. Dublin |
||
|
19000E |
S N An Spioraid Naomh C |
Curraheen Rd |
Bishopstown |
Cork |
|
|
19007S |
Eoin Baisde C Naoidh |
Seafield Road |
Clontarf |
Dublin 3 |
|
|
19015R |
St Josephs G N S |
Barry Avenue |
Finglas West |
Dublin 11 |
|
|
19037E |
St Monicas N S |
Edenmore |
Raheny |
Dublin 5 |
|
|
19159S |
St Pauls G N S |
Greenhills |
Kimmage West |
Dublin 12 |
|
|
19178W |
St Pius X G N S |
Fortfield Park |
Terenure |
Dublin 6 |
|
|
19209H |
Sn An Spioraid Naiomh C |
Sillogue Rd |
Ballymun |
Dublin 11 |
|
|
19215C |
S N Ard Mhuire C |
Ballsgrove |
Drogheda |
Co. Louth |
|
|
19232C |
S N Barra Naofa Cailini |
Beaumont |
Cork |
||
|
19247P |
S N An Tslanaitheora C |
Ard Easmuinn |
Dun Dealgan |
Co. Louth |
|
|
19259W |
St Patricks Gns |
Foxrock Ave |
Foxrock |
Dublin 18 |
|
|
19298J |
Scoil Nais Ide Cailini |
Kilmore Road West |
Artane |
Dublin 5 |
|
|
19303W |
Na Maighdine Mhuire |
Virgin Mary |
Girls National School |
Ballymun |
Dublin 9 |
|
19321B |
Our Lady Good Counsel Gns |
Johnstown |
Dun Laoghaire |
Co. Dublin |
|
|
19332G |
S N Muire Na Heireann |
Caherdavin |
Limerick City |
||
|
19396J |
Na Maighdine Muire Girl |
Ballinteer |
Dublin 16 |
||
|
19427R |
S N Bhreanndain C |
An Ghleann |
Corcaigh |
||
|
19466E |
St Kevins Girls |
Kilnamanagh |
Tallaght |
Dublin 24 |
|
|
19478L |
Holy Family Girls N S |
Askea |
Carlow |
Co. Carlow |
|
|
19623R |
St Pauls Jun Ns |
Greenhills |
Walkinstown |
Dublin 12 |
|
|
19692N |
St John The Baptist |
Old Road |
Cashel |
Co. Tipperary |
|
|
19797E |
Scoil Naisiunta Bhride |
Prosperous Road |
Clane |
Co. Kildare |
|
|
19895E |
Scoil Mhuir S Iosaf |
St Marys Place |
Plas Mhuire |
Off Dorset Street |
Dublin 7 |
|
19920A |
St John Of God N S |
Kilmore Road |
Artane |
Dublin 5 |
|
|
19929S |
St Brigids Senior Girls |
Finglas West |
Dublin 11 |
||
|
19955T |
Presentation Primary School |
Slievekeale Road |
Waterford |
||
|
19988L |
St Marys National School |
Grange Road |
Baldoyle |
Dublin 13 |
|
|
20038N |
Scoil Aiseiri Chriost |
Farranree, |
Cork. |
||
|
20228S |
St Laurence O Tooles Girls School |
49 Seville Place |
North Wall |
Dublin 1 |
|
County |
Roll No. |
School Name |
Address |
|
Carlow |
61140K |
St. Leo’s College |
Dublin Road, Carlow |
|
Cavan |
61070P |
Loreto College |
Cavan, Co. Cavan |
|
Clare |
61930Q |
Coláiste Mhuire |
College Road, Ennis, Co. Clare |
|
Clare |
61950W |
Scoil Mhuire |
Ennistymon, Co. Clare |
|
Cork |
62061T |
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte |
Árd Aoibhinn, Bandon, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62140P |
St Aloysius College |
Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62170B |
Sacred Heart Secondary School |
Convent of Mercy, Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62270F |
Loreto Secondary School |
Fermoy, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62320R |
St Mary’S Secondary School |
Convent Of Mercy, Macroom, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62350D |
St Mary’s Secondary School |
Convent Of Mercy, Mallow, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62380M |
St Mary’s High School |
Midleton, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62421A |
Presentation Secondary School |
Mitchelstown, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62450H |
St. Mary’s Secondary School |
Convent Of Mercy, Charleville, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62490T |
Mercy Heights Secondary School |
Skibbereen, Co. Cork |
|
Cork |
62590A |
St Vincent’s Secondary School |
St Mary’s Road, Cork |
|
Cork |
62621I |
North Presentation Secondary School |
Farranree, Cork |
|
Cork |
62630J |
St Aloysius School |
St Maries Of The Isle, Sharman Crawford Street, Cork |
|
Cork |
62640M |
St. Angela’s College |
St. Patrick’s Hill, Cork |
|
Cork |
62650P |
Ursuline Secondary School |
Blackrock, Cork |
|
Cork |
62661U |
Mount Mercy College |
Model Farm Road, Cork |
|
Cork |
62690E |
Scoil Mhuire |
2 Sidney Place, Wellington Road, Cork |
|
Cork |
62691G |
Regina Mundi College |
Douglas Road, Cork |
|
Cork |
62692I |
Christ King Girls’ Secondary School |
Half Moon Lane, South Douglas Road, Cork |
|
Cork |
62693K |
Presentation Secondary School |
Ballyphehane, Cork |
|
Cork |
62730N |
St Patricks College |
Gardiner’s Hill, Cork |
|
Donegal |
62840U |
Loreto Convent |
Letterkenny, Co Donegal |
|
Dublin |
60010P |
Loreto Secondary School |
Balbriggan, Co Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60021U |
St Marys Secondary School |
Baldoyle, Dublin 13 |
|
Dublin |
60042F |
Coláiste Íosagáin |
Bóthar Stigh Lorgan, Baile an Bhóthair, Co. Átha Cliath |
|
Dublin |
60070K |
Dominican College |
Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co. Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60081P |
Rockford Manor Secondary School |
Stradbrook Rd., Blackrock, Co. Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60090Q |
Rathdown School |
Glenageary, Co. Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60120W |
Mount Sackville Secondary School |
Chapelizod, Dublin 20 |
|
Dublin |
60122D |
Coláiste Bríde |
New Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
|
Dublin |
60130C |
Loreto Abbey Secondary School |
Dalkey, Co Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60140F |
Mount Anville Secondary School |
Mount Anville Rd, Dublin 14 |
|
Dublin |
60160L |
Notre Dame Secondary School |
Upper Churchtown Road, Dublin 14 |
|
Dublin |
60240J |
Loreto College Foxrock |
Foxrock, Dublin 18 |
|
Dublin |
60250M |
Holy Child Secondary School |
Military Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60260P |
St Joseph Of Cluny Secondary School |
Bellevue Park, Ballinclea Rd, Killiney, Co. Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60263V |
St Josephs College |
Lucan, Co. Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60300B |
Manor House School |
Watermill Road, Raheny, Dublin 5 |
|
Dublin |
60340N |
Loreto High School |
Beaufort, Grange Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 |
|
Dublin |
60341P |
Sancta Maria College |
Ballyroan, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 |
|
Dublin |
60361V |
St Raphaela’s Secondary School |
Upper Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60380C |
Santa Sabina Dominican College |
Greenfield Road, Sutton, Dublin 13 |
|
Dublin |
60690R |
Dominican College |
Griffith Ave, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 |
|
Dublin |
60710U |
Dominican College, Muckross Park |
Donnybrook, Dublin 4 |
|
Dublin |
60720A |
Saint Dominic’s Secondary School |
Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 |
|
Dublin |
60731F |
St Dominics College |
Cabra, Dublin 7 |
|
Dublin |
60732H |
Caritas College |
Drumfinn Road, Dublin 10 |
|
Dublin |
60741I |
St Michaels Secondary School |
Wellmount Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 |
|
Dublin |
60750J |
Holy Faith Secondary School |
1 Belgrove Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3 |
|
Dublin |
60770P |
St Mary’s Secondary School |
Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 |
|
Dublin |
60791A |
St Marys Secondary School |
Brookwood Meadow, Killester, Dublin 5 |
|
Dublin |
60792C |
Presentation College |
Warrenmount, Dublin 8 |
|
Dublin |
60800V |
Loreto College |
Crumlin Road, Dublin 12 |
|
Dublin |
60810B |
Loreto College |
Swords, Co Dublin |
|
Dublin |
60820E |
Loreto College |
53 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2 |
|
Dublin |
60840K |
Maryfield College |
Glandore Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 |
|
Dublin |
60843Q |
St Josephs Secondary School |
Stanhope St., Dublin 7 |
|
Dublin |
60851P |
Assumption Secondary School |
Walkinstown, Dublin 12 |
|
Dublin |
60852R |
Mater Christi |
Cappagh, Finglas, Dublin 11 |
|
Dublin |
60853T |
Mount Carmel Secondary School |
Kings Inn Street, Dublin 1 |
|
Dublin |
60860Q |
Our Ladys School |
Templeogue Rd, Terenure, Dublin 6W |
|
Dublin |
60870T |
Our Lady Of Mercy College |
Beaumont, Dublin 9 |
|
Dublin |
60871V |
Mercy College Coolock |
St Brendans Drive, Coolock, Dublin 5 |
|
Dublin |
60872A |
Mercy Secondary School |
Goldenbridge, Inchicore, Dublin 8 |
|
Dublin |
60890C |
St Louis High School |
Charleville Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6 |
|
Dublin |
60891E |
Jesus and Mary College |
Our Lady’s Grove, Goatstown Road, Dublin 14 |
|
Dublin |
60892G |
The Teresian School |
12 Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 |
|
Dublin |
60902G |
St Pauls Secondary School |
Greenhills, Dublin 12 |
|
Dublin |
60910F |
Alexandra College |
Milltown, Dublin 6 |
|
Dublin |
60930L |
Rosemont School |
Temple Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin |
|
Dublin |
70321P |
Margaret Aylward Community College |
The Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9 |
|
Dublin |
76092K |
Presentation College |
Terenure, Dublin 6W |
|
Galway |
62890M |
Ardscoil Mhuire |
Mackney, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway |
|
Galway |
62990Q |
Dominican College |
Taylors Hill, Galway |
|
Galway |
63001G |
Jesus and Mary Secondary School |
Salerno Secondary School, Threadneedle Rd, Salthill, Galway |
|
Galway |
63160D |
St. Brigid’s School |
Convent Of Mercy, Tuam, Co. Galway |
|
Galway |
63170G |
Presentation College |
Currylea, Tuam, Co Galway |
|
Kerry |
61260U |
Mean Scoil Naomh Ioseph |
Clochar na Toirbhirte, Castleisland, Co Kerry |
|
Kerry |
61301I |
Coláiste Íde |
Baile an Ghóilín,Daingean Uí Chúis, Co Chiarraí |
|
Kerry |
61340S |
St. Brigid’s Secondary School |
New Street, Killarney, Co. Kerry |
|
Kerry |
61380H |
Presentation Secondary School |
Listowel, Co Kerry |
|
Kerry |
61450C |
Presentation Secondary School |
Tralee, Co Kerry |
|
Kildare |
61682A |
Holy Family Secondary School |
Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
|
Kildare |
61730I |
Coláiste Naomh Mhuire |
Convent Of Mercy, Sallins Rd., Naas, Co. Kildare |
|
Kildare |
91505T |
St Wolstan’s Community School |
Ballymakeely, Clane Rd, Celbridge, Co. Kildare |
|
Kilkenny |
61520U |
St. Brigid’s College |
Callan, Co. Kilkenny |
|
Kilkenny |
61580P |
Loreto Secondary School |
Granges Road, Kilkenny |
|
Kilkenny |
61590S |
Presentation Secondary School |
Loughboy, Kilkenny |
|
Laois |
63451O |
Scoil Chriost Ri |
Presentation Secondary School, Borris Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois |
|
Limerick |
64050B |
St Joseph’s Secondary School |
Doon, Co. Limerick |
|
Limerick |
64260M |
Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ |
Laurel Hill, South Circular Road, Limerick |
|
Limerick |
64270P |
Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ |
Cnoc Na Labhras, Luimneach |
|
Limerick |
64280S |
Salesian Secondary School |
Fernbank, North Circular Road, Limerick |
|
Limerick |
64290V |
Ardscoil Mhuire |
Corbally, Limerick |
|
Limerick |
64300V |
Scoil Carmel |
O’Connell Avenue, Limerick |
|
Longford |
63760E |
Meán Scoil Muire |
Convent Road, Longford Town, Co. Longford |
|
Louth |
63850F |
Our Ladys College |
Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth |
|
Louth |
63860I |
Sacred Heart Secondary School |
Sunnyside, Drogheda, Co. Louth |
|
Louth |
63900R |
St Vincent’s Secondary School |
Seatown Place, Dundalk, Co. Louth |
|
Louth |
63910U |
St Louis Secondary School |
Dun Lughaidh, Dundalk, Co. Louth |
|
Mayo |
64520M |
St. Mary’s Secondary School |
Convent of Mercy, Ballina, Co. Mayo |
|
Mayo |
64590K |
St Joseph’s Secondary School |
Castlebar, Co. Mayo |
|
Mayo |
64620Q |
Mount St Michael |
Convent of Mercy, Claremorris, Co. Mayo |
|
Mayo |
64710R |
Sacred Heart School |
Westport, Co. Mayo |
|
Meath |
64360Q |
St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Navan, |
Mercy Convent, Navan, Co. Meath |
|
Meath |
64370T |
Loreto Secondary School |
St Michaels, Navan, Co. Meath |
|
Meath |
64450R |
Scoil Mhuire |
Convent Of Mercy, Trim, Co. Meath |
|
Monaghan |
64760J |
St Louis Secondary School |
Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan |
|
Monaghan |
64820B |
St. Louis Secondary School |
Monaghan, Co. Monaghan |
|
Offaly |
65620V |
Sacred Heart Secondary School |
Daingean Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly |
|
Roscommon |
65090S |
Scoil Muire gan Smal |
Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Town |
|
Sligo |
65180T |
Ursuline College |
Finisklin, Sligo |
|
Tipperary |
65280A |
Scoil Mhuire |
Greenhill, Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary |
|
Tipperary |
65330M |
Loreto Secondary School |
Coleville Rd., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary |
|
Tipperary |
65340P |
Presentation Secondary School |
Clonmel, Co Tipperary |
|
Tipperary |
65380E |
St Mary’s Secondary School |
Nenagh, Co Tipperary |
|
Tipperary |
65460C |
Presentation Secondary School |
Thurles, Co. Tipperary |
|
Tipperary |
65470F |
Ursuline Secondary School |
Thurles, Co. Tipperary |
|
Tipperary |
65500L |
St. Anne’s Secondary School |
Convent Of Mercy, Rosanna Road, Tipperary Town |
|
Waterford |
64900W |
Ard Scoil na nDeise |
Convent Rd, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford |
|
Waterford |
64922J |
Stella Maris |
Pond Rd, Tramore, Co. Waterford |
|
Waterford |
64970U |
Presentation Secondary School |
Cannon Street, Waterford |
|
Waterford |
64971W |
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School |
Ozanam St., Waterford |
|
Waterford |
64990D |
St Angela’s Ursuline Convent |
Ursuline Convent, Waterford |
|
Westmeath |
63210P |
Our Lady’s Bower |
Retreat Rd., Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
|
Westmeath |
63211R |
St Joseph’s College |
Summerhill, Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
|
Westmeath |
63290Q |
Loreto College |
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath |
|
Wexford |
63570W |
Coláiste Bride |
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford |
|
Wexford |
63620L |
St. Mary’s Secondary School |
Irishtown, New Ross, Co. Wexford |
|
Wexford |
63630O |
Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School |
Rosbercon, New Ross, Co. Wexford |
|
Wexford |
63660A |
Loreto Secondary School |
Spawell Road, Wexford, Co. Wexford |
|
Wexford |
63661C |
Presentation Secondary School |
Grogan’s Road, Wexford, Co. Wexford |
|
Wicklow |
61780A |
St Marys College |
St Mary’s Rd, Arklow, Co Wicklow |
|
Wicklow |
61820J |
Loreto Secondary School |
Vevay Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow |
|
Wicklow |
61860V |
Dominican College |
Wicklow, Co. Wicklow |
86 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of all-girls primary schools that have DEIS band 2 status in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11975/12]
88 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of disadvantaged primary schools in the country which will lose a teacher as a result of these posts being outside DEIS band 1 and DEIS band 2; the names and addresses of those same schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12002/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 88 together.
It is not possible at the moment to deal with the Deputy's request in full as the priority and urgency for my Department is to complete the teacher allocation process at this time. Notifications are currently being finalised to issue to each DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 school of their staffing entitlements for 2012/13, including the outcome of the Government's decision to retain 235 posts from previous disadvantage schemes in 140 Band 1 and Band 2 DEIS schools. When this process is complete, the information will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
As already announced the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level schools will proceed. This involves 136 posts from 163 post primary schools, 16 posts from 16 rural primary schools and 40 posts from 17 non DEIS primary schools.
87 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for the extension of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11990/12]
The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application to the Department for additional accommodation. This application is currently under consideration and officials from my Department will be in contact with the school shortly.
89 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new national school at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12012/12]
In June 2011, I announced that 20 new primary and 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years across a number of locations. This announcement included a proposal to establish a new school in the area referred to by the Deputy. This school is to be established in September 2012.
My Department invited patron bodies to make applications for patronage of the new primary schools to be established in 2012 and 2013. A report has been prepared on these applications for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group who will submit its report to me shortly.
Full details of the new arrangements for patronage of new schools and the criteria for deciding on patronage of these new schools are available on my Department's website.
90 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school place in respect of a person (details supplied). [12016/12]
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the approval of special classes for autism. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the matters raised by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply.
91 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of new school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12020/12]
The tender process for the appointment of a design team for the school building project referred to by the Deputy is nearing completion.
The members of the design team have been selected following a tender competition. The next step in the process will be the assessment of the proposed Design Team by the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) as is required under Health and Safety regulations. Once this is complete, assuming no issues arise, the contracts of appointment will issue to the design team.
93 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide statistical data regarding the availability of on site indoor PE facilities at primary schools on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12024/12]
My Department launched an online inventory of school accommodation which is available to schools on the Department's Esinet portal. The Inventory will provide key data and statistics on the existing school building stock throughout the country at both primary and post-primary levels. To date approximately 80% of schools have completed or are in the process of completing the inventory.
Information such as that sought by the Deputy will be available when all the data has been received from all schools. It is my intention to publish information from the inventory of school accommodation when all schools have completed the survey.
94 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the restrictions that exist in relation to the sale of sugary and fatty drinks and foods in schools here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12025/12]
In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.
It is a matter for each school to devise guidelines around the types of food that are available on the school premises and such policies should be driven by the needs and welfare of the pupils.
I am aware that many schools have, in co-operation with their parents' associations, developed healthy eating policies and I would encourage others to do so.
95 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take steps to have an application for a third level grant reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12043/12]
For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. An independent mature student is defined as a mature student who was not ordinarily resident with his or her parents or legal guardian from the October preceding entry or re-entry to further or higher education.
In order to establish a candidate's status as an independent mature student, documentary evidence is required as proof of a candidate's address from 1st October of the year preceding entry into college. In considering whether a mature student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision of the grant awarding authority to its appeals officer. Where the appeals officer decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department or the independent appeals board, as appropriate.
I understand that the outcome of the application was communicated to student referred to by the Deputy on 19 September 2011 and that the student was informed of the appeals process. No appeal has been received by the awarding authority to date.
96 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the board of management of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 have not received a response from his Department seeking a subvention to facilitate the granting of increased hours. [12075/12]
I can confirm that a reply to the correspondence from IMPACT to which the Deputy refers has issued from my Department and has been copied to the School Principal.
97 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied); his plans to address the concerns raised; if he has had or is proposing any meetings with the representative bodies to discuss the concerns raised; if so, the results or dates involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12076/12]
A public service-wide review of allowances, announced by the Government as part of Budget 2012, is currently being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Under Circular 70/2011, teachers who had been engaged in a public sector teaching post on or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the qualification allowances they were entitled to be in receipt of on that date. Such teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011. The position of teachers who, on 5 December 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the review. Teachers who were appointed to teaching for the first time on or after 5 December 2011 but before 1 February 2012 are eligible for allowances on the basis of their qualifications at entry to the profession up to a maximum of the allowance which had been applicable to an honours primary degree. Circular 3/2012 provides that allowances are not payable to new beneficiaries; i.e. those who become eligible for receipt of the allowance in question on or after 1 February 2012. Examples of such allowances include any form of qualification allowance or the supervision and substitution payment paid to teachers, and the secretary to the Board of Management allowance paid to school principals. The only exceptions to this prohibition are principal and deputy principal allowances. These decisions were taken pending the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances due to the upward pressure on the cost of teacher allowances. Without immediate action, this upward pressure would have cancelled out the savings made elsewhere in the education system and would bring about even harsher adjustments to schools and services. I am not in a position to comment further on the position in relation to teacher allowances until the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances is known.
98 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teaching posts being removed from a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the removal of these posts; the timescale for the removal of these posts; if he will reconsider the decision to remove these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12084/12]
Budget 2012 provided for the phased withdrawal of approximately 428 posts allocated to some schools under disadvantage programmes prior to the introduction of the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) Initiative in 2005. As already announced, the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level schools will proceed, including the 38 posts from 15 non-DEIS schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy. Where a school is losing three or more posts as a result of the combination of budget and reform measures, an application can be made to the Staffing Appeals Board with a view to seeking to have a portion of the loss in posts deferred to the 2013-14 school year on the basis that it is having a particularly adverse impact on the school's overall allocation. The priority for my Department is to complete the teacher allocation process at this time. Notifications are currently being finalised to issue to each school losing disadvantaged posts from previous schemes, of their staffing entitlements for 2012-13. Notification to the school to which the Deputy refers will issue before the end of this week, providing details of its staffing for 2012-13, including posts being withdrawn and details of the appeals mechanism open to the school.
99 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown by school of teachers who have successfully applied for early retirement; the dates from which these teachers will be leaving their respective schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12085/12]
Officials in the Pension Unit of my Department are addressing the pension benefit entitlements for those who are retiring at this time. The number of teachers in Primary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools who have applied to retire in the period 1 January to 29 February 2012 is 1,166. Information received from the Vocational Education Sector indicates that 220 teachers have applied to retire in that sector during that period. It is important to note that schools will be able to fill vacancies arising from retirements. A circular was issued by my Department in July 2011 requesting school Boards of Management to inform all staff in their schools (who are members of an occupation pension scheme) who intended to retire on or before 29 February 2012 that they were required to give three calendar months' notice of their date of retirement. The circular also stated that a notification may not be withdrawn on or after the date indicated as the last day of service. It was pointed out in the circular that failure to give the required notice could result in a delay in payment of pension benefits. Accordingly, the actual number retiring will not be accurately known until some time after 29 February 2012 when the details are processed and compiled. When the work of processing pension benefits for those retiring has been addressed, it is intended to commence work on compiling detailed statistical data on the number of teachers who retired and to publish this information on my Department's website.
100 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views in relation to a matter (details supplied); the proposals he has to address the concerns raised; if such technicalities as outlined can be addressed or appealed; if so, the mechanism or process available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12091/12]
103 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills following publication of arrangements for learning support and resource teaching which has led to concerns for staff and pupils in a school (details supplied), if urgent and favourable consideration will be given to the detailed request submitted by the principal and board of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12118/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 103 together.
The staffing arrangements for the 2012/13 school year are set out in Primary Circular 0007/2012 which is available on my Department's website. This includes the detail of the reform of the allocation process which is designed to bring a more equitable distribution of existing posts between schools.
The new arrangements incorporate a long overdue updating of the GAM (learning support) allocation for all schools. This inevitably involves changes to existing clustering arrangements whereby a teacher is shared between schools. A further change is that schools in any locality are being empowered to cluster and arrange their GAM resources in a manner that best suits their local needs. This should be completed by schools in March.
There are also new and separate arrangements for how resource hours for individual pupils are converted into teaching posts in schools. The requirement for resource hours in a school varies from year to year depending on the number, if any, of its pupils with autism etc. The new arrangements take account of the later timescale for the allocation of these hours necessitated by individual assessment by the NCSE.
All of the changes are designed to enable a more efficient operation of the teacher redeployment and recruitment and to reduce the impact of travel time between schools where teachers are shared.
My Department will be working with schools and the relevant education partners to ensure that the new arrangements operate as efficiently as possible. As the process proceeds this work can take account of any appropriate local arrangements that might be made to further optimise travel arrangements
101 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Skills if tax clearance certificates are an acceptable proof in relation to proving somebody was residing here for three of the past five years in relation to third level grants. [12094/12]
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority — local authority or VEC. Under the residency requirement of the Student Grant Scheme 2011, an applicant must have been legally resident in Ireland for at least 3 of the 5 years immediately prior to commencing an approved course in an approved institution.
As non-residents may also apply to the Revenue Commissioners for a tax clearance certificate, this document does not necessarily of itself prove residency in the State. However, it may be considered by the relevant grant awarding authority in conjunction with other acceptable supporting documentation to demonstrate residency, including utility bills, social welfare statements or evidence of registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) and other documents as outlined in Schedule 5 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011.
102 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage at which the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan is; when the project is likely to proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12117/12]
The major building project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on finalising the Stage 2(a) Submission (Developed Sketch Scheme) which will then be forwarded to my Department for review. Thereafter, officials from my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project.
The Department will shortly publish an outline five year programme on the projects to be constructed in that time. The school building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project at the school referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in the context of that programme taking into account the funding available, the building costs involved and the progression of other major projects required to meet demographic needs.
104 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list the rural DEIS and post-primary DEIS schools that will lose teaching posts; the reason they are losing posts; the date on which they are losing posts; the amount of money saved by the Exchequer from removing these posts; if he will reconsider this decision in view of the negative impact it will have on the education of young persons in these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12119/12]
Budget 2012 provided for the phased withdrawal of approximately 428 posts allocated to some schools under disadvantage programmes prior to the introduction of the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) Initiative in 2005.
As already announced, the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level schools will proceed with effect from 31 August 2012. This involves 136 posts from 163 post primary schools, 16 posts from 16 rural primary schools and 40 posts from 17 non DEIS primary schools, achieving savings of €4.09m in 2012 and € 12.28 m in a full year.
It is not possible at the moment to provide the list sought by the Deputy as the priority for my Department is to complete the teacher allocation process at this time. Notifications are currently being finalised to issue to each DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 school of their staffing entitlements for 2012/13, including the outcome of the Government's decision to retain 235 posts from previous disadvantage schemes in 140 Band 1 and Band 2 DEIS schools.
When this process is complete, the information will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
105 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify the situation in relation to the valuation process and valuation office under his remit; if he will further clarify the rateable base in relation to a sports club with a members bar operating under the Clubs Act, but with a declining membership and bar turnover and if valuation is based on the size of grounds and buildings, current day value of grounds and building, portion of building used as bar on a full-time basis or part-time basis, for example, a multi-purpose hall, membership numbers, bar turnover and if options to reduce rateable valuation can be outlined and statement made on the matter with specific reference to bar turnover, membership, reducing size of bar or even eliminating same and if such are allowable in an application to reduce valuation. [12015/12]
The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act 2001 and the making of valuations for rating purposes is his sole prerogative. The statute does not accord me as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform any function in this regard.
The Valuation Act 2001 provides for the exemption from rates of land that is developed for sport such as playing pitches, land on golf courses, tennis courses, etc. The Act also provides for the exemption from rates of "Community Halls”. To be classified as a Community Hall, the premises need to be used for purposes which are not for profit or gain and involve participation by inhabitants of the locality generally and are used for purposes which are of a recreational or otherwise of a social nature. Many sports clubs achieve exemption from rates on their property under this provision. However, the Valuation Act 2001 specifically excludes the premises of a club registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904 from this provision. Therefore, the premises of such a registered club is rateable. Essentially, this means that clubs licensed to sell alcohol are rateable. It is important to point out that this provision has the effect of making all premises occupied by the club rateable and not just that part of the premises normally used for the sale of alcohol. The premises of a club which ceases to be registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904 will no longer be rateable.
The sale of alcohol is a commercial activity and a licensed sports club is competing with other commercial licensed premises, all of which are rateable. Therefore, in equity, exemption from rates can only be achieved by the cessation of the club's registration under the 1904 Act.
Revision of valuation is the mechanism used to maintain the existing local authority valuation lists. It is used to add new properties to the list, to amend the valuation of altered properties and to remove demolished or defunct properties from the list. The valuations of commercial properties, including sports clubs, are determined by reference to the values of similar types of properties in the same local authority area to ensure, in so far as it is possible, that they are all treated in a fair and equitable manner. Therefore, rising or falling property values have no impact on valuations determined at revision.
106 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to amend legislation to ensure the National Asset Management Agency is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act; if so, when he intends to ensure that this happens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12074/12]
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to extend Freedom of Information to ensure that all statutory bodies and all bodies significantly funded by the Exchequer are covered by the legislation. The next steps in implementing this commitment will be consultation with Ministers in the coming weeks, in the context of finalising proposals for consideration by Government relating to both the restoration and the extension of Freedom of Information as set out in the Programme for Government.
107 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the flood relief plan for the river at Clonkeen and Glenflesk, County Kerry; when will the work commence to alleviate the on-going flooding to homes and property in Foiladown and surrounding areas. [11952/12]
In October, 2009, the Office of Public Works allocated funding of €13,500 to Kerry County Council to carry out a study of the flood problem in the Glenflesk area on foot of an application from the Council under the minor works scheme.
The study report, which was submitted by the Council to the OPW in November last year, recommended flood mitigation works at four locations (a) Upstream of Glenflesk/Foiladuane (b) Glenflesk (c) Headford and (d) Flesk Bridge.
Following discussion with the Council, it has been decided that providing a long term solution to the problem in Glenflesk will be addressed in the context of the ongoing South West Catchment Flood Risk Assessment study.
In the interim, it is open to the Council to submit applications for funding for minor flood mitigation measures under the OPW's Minor Flood Works scheme, and OPW understands that they intend to do so shortly.
Any application that is submitted by the Council will be considered having regard to the Minor Works scheme eligibility criteria and the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
108 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has requested that the commercial semi-State companies pay an increased dividend to the State in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12050/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, the NewERA unit was established within the National Treasury Management Agency in 2011 to reform the manner in which Government manages the commercial semi-State companies. NewERA will initially undertake the corporate governance function, from a shareholder perspective and reporting to relevant ministers, of ESB, Bord Gáis Éireann, EirGrid, Bord na Móna and Coillte. Its role will be , inter alia, to advise on matters such as the appropriate dividend for the State’s investment.
In reply to the Deputy's question, I have not requested that the commercial semi State companies pay an increased dividend to the State in 2012. However, the Government has agreed that my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and with the advice of NewERA and the Commission for Energy Regulation, will review the dividend policy in relation to ESB with a view to securing a greater return on the State's equity in future years.
109 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011 or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12053/12]
In response to the Deputy's question each Department is responsible for providing pension fund details in relation to commercial semi State companies for which they hold responsibility.
In relation to an Post National Lottery Company which comes under the aegis of my Department I wish to inform the Deputy that pay and pensions issues are a matter for An Post. The information requested regarding the pension fund would therefore be provided by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
110 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has a framework agreement in place for a certain type of work (details supplied). [12120/12]
The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have a framework agreement in place for joinery work.
In situations where OPW underakes construction work under contract, it is a matter for the main contractor how he/she commissions joiners or the skilled trades. OPW also employs joiners in its direct labour force, which is primarily engaged on maintenance work at State buildings.
111 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 may expect to receive notice of date in respect of their employment appeals tribunal hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11959/12]
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations. However, having made enquiries, I understand that the Tribunal received a claim from the person concerned on 21 April 2011.
The Tribunal has seen a significant increase in its caseload in recent years, as it is one of the front-line services directly impacted upon by the economic downturn. This has had the unfortunate consequence of increasing the time it takes for a claimant to have his or her case heard. All appeals are listed for hearing in accordance with their date of lodgment with the Tribunal. The current estimated waiting period for Tribunal hearings is approximately 67 weeks from the date of application. This period is subject to fluctuation, depending on the rate with which existing cases are disposed of.
I regret the lengthy delays that are currently being experienced.
With this in mind, I would add however that the functions and outputs of the Tribunal are being addressed in the context of my planned reform of the State's employment rights and industrial relations structures and institutions. I expect this reform and streamlining project to deliver a measurable improvement in the quality of services provided to users of the State's employment rights/industrial relations dispute resolution services and reduce the burden of accessing such services for users and reduce costs to the State.
112 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail the cost breakdown of the media launch of the action plan for jobs. [11994/12]
The cost of invoiced receipts received to date in relation to the media launch of the "Action Plan for Jobs", which was launched on 13 February 2012, is €1,551.57. This covers the design elements of the "Action Plan for Jobs" and includes the design of report cover, pop-ups, backdrop banner, podium banner, leaflet and web banner.
113 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of action plans for jobs printed and the cost breakdown of printing, layout and distribution costs of the action plans for jobs and the action plans for jobs table of actions. [11995/12]
The number of reports printed in respect of the "Action Plan for Jobs", which was launched 13 February 2012, was 1,000 of the main report and 200 of the "Action Plan for Jobs — Table of Actions".
The cost of invoiced receipts received to date in relation to the supply of 1,000 reports is €6,745 and €1,551.57 for design of the report covers, pop-ups, backdrop banner, podium banner, leaflet and web banner.
114 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a farm assist appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12062/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 June 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10 December 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration on 26 January 2012.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
115 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [11911/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16 January 2012 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration on 26 January 2012.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
116 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an application for carer’s allowance made on 20 December 2012 will take eight months to process; her views that this is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11912/12]
I confirm that an application for carer's allowance has been received from the above named.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her claim, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Some 7,698 carer's allowance applications are registered and awaiting a decision at present.
A major service delivery modernisation project is under way to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the development of information technology functions and associated business process re-organisation. The first tranche of new carer's allowance claims began to be processed under the new system in August 2011.
It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customer. Accordingly, the project is being given high priority and involves a significant level of time and commitment from the relevant staff in the Department. This has had a short-term negative impact on claim processing times which is expected to continue until the completion of the modernisation project in June of this year when all existing carer's allowance claims will be transferred onto the new processing systems. In addition, to dealing with approximately 330 new carer's allowance applications that are received each week, overtime working is being applied to help reduce backlogs that have built up. However, it is expected to be a significant number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level.
While the new systems and processes will facilitate a significant improvement in overall processing times, it should be noted the intake of carer's allowance claims remains at a high level and that individual claims may continue to take some time to process.
In the meantime, if a person's means are insufficient to meet their needs while awaiting a decision on a claim, they may apply for a means tested supplementary welfare allowance payment from their local community welfare officer.
117 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person can be in receipt of both the over 80s allowance, €10.00 weekly, and the living alone allowance, €7.70 weekly, in addition to their State pensions with a total weekly increase of €17.70 or if the payments are mutually exclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11919/12]
The over 80 allowance is an additional payment of €10 per week paid to people who are in receipt of a social welfare payment, including State pensions and who are over 80 years of age. It is not paid to qualified adults.
The living alone increase is an additional payment of €7.70 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State pensions and who are living alone. It is also available to people who are under 66 years of age who are living alone and receiving payments under one of a number of invalidity type schemes.
Both payments can be paid concurrently provided a person satisfies the conditions for each of the allowances.
118 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11924/12]
I confirm that an application for carer's allowance has been received from the above named. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her claim, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
119 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the average length of time a person applying for carer’s allowance must wait to receive payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11954/12]
The average time taken to award an application in the quarter ended September 2011 was 17 weeks. Figures for the last quarter of 2011 and for January 2012 are unavailable as, due to the introduction of a new claims processing system in carer's allowance area, new claims are being processed on the new system while older claims are still being processed on the old system.
As mentioned above, a major service delivery modernisation project is underway to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the development of information technology functions and associated business process reorganisation. The first tranche of new carer's allowance claims began to be processed under the new system in August 2011. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker more responsive service to the customer.
Accordingly, the project is being given high priority and involves a significant level of time and commitment from the relevant staff in the Department. This has had short-term negative impact on claim processing times which is expected to continue until the completion of the modernisation project when all existing carer's allowance claims will be transferred onto the new processing system.
120 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of a person who has applied for carer’s allowance and meets the criteria as of August 2011, the length of time this person will have to wait to receive the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11955/12]
Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on satisfying means, residency, full time care provision and medical suitability criteria. In the interest of fairness and equity, applications for carer's allowance are generally processed in order of the date the applications are received. The average time taken to award a claim to end of September 2011 was 17 weeks. This figure relates to the initial decision made on each application.
In determining entitlement to the allowance, unavoidable time lags may occur while the necessary investigations and inquiries are made. Delays may also arise if those applying are not in a position to supply all the necessary information in support of their claim.
If the Deputy can provide the personal public services number (PPSN) of the person in question, he will be advised of the current position of this individual case.
121 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11970/12]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
A person may qualify for payment BSCFA if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels and a qualified child allowance (QCA) must be paid to the applicant in respect of each child.
The person concerned received a BSCFA payment for one child only, as he was not in receipt of a qualified child allowance payment for his second child until December 2011 by which time the scheme had closed.
122 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review will take place of the many appeals in respect of a person (details supplied). [11983/12]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the supplementary welfare allowance, child benefit, disability allowance and domiciliary care allowance appeals of the person concerned have been determined by an Appeals Officer and notification of the Appeals Officers' decisions issued to the person on 1 February 2012.
An appeal in relation to carer's allowance is currently being processed and further to my response to Parliamentary Question Ref. No. 2890/12 on 18th January 2012, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there is no update to the information given previously.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
123 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason college students who have already undergone significant cuts to their student grants and increases in their course fees, are not included in national employment schemes such as JobBridge for the summer months they are not enrolled in courses and cannot find work due to the recession; her views that if students gained valuable work experience during the summer months they would be more employable and less likely to be on the live register; if there are plans to bring enrolled students in line with schemes to increase their skillset and prospects for when they graduate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12004/12]
The National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors. The scheme is limited to individuals who are currently on the Live Register and have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit or are signing on for credits for at least 3 of the last 6 months.
The eligibility to access the National Internship Scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register. It is important that as employment opportunities become available they are taken up by those on the Live Register. The structure for achieving this objective is through a reinvigorated National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) which currently provides the framework for engaging with the unemployed.
Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy and of the NEAP will be to keep those on the Live Register close to the Labour Market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that Live Register members availing of activation measures such as the National Internship Scheme will, while retaining social welfare unemployment payments and a top up allowance of €50, get an opportunity to engage in the workplace, get work experience and so be in a position to avail of employment opportunities as the economy improves.
For these reasons, it has been proposed as a matter of public policy that eligibility for the scheme be confined to those on the Live Register and in receipt of unemployment payments or signing for credits for 3 of the last 6 months. As such, the policy objective is to prioritise scarce resources on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it thereby ensuring a reduction in Exchequer costs over time.
My Department continues to monitor and review the operation of the JobBridge scheme including its eligibility criteria on an ongoing basis.
124 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of community employment schemes currently in place throughout the country; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to retain or replace with alternatives in equal numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12031/12]
There are currently 1043 sponsors of Community Employment schemes, with 23,300 places. I fully intend to maintain this level of activity during 2012.
As announced in the Pathways to Work, one of the five strands of the programme is to provide greater targeting of activation places and opportunities for job seekers — particularly those who are over one year unemployed. My Department will continue to provide supports in the form of work experience and training through the community and voluntary sectors. Community Employment will play a critical role in this.
125 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which extra staff were made available to her since 2008 with the objective of catering for increased demand arising from the downturn in the economy; the extent if any to which staff redeployment or transfer is commensurate with the extra workload generated by economic factors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12032/12]
126 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she can put in place procedures to eliminate the backlog in respect of applications and appeals in respect of various social welfare entitlements; when she expects to have the backlog cleared; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12033/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
In the period since May 2008 some 952 staff have been redeployed to the Department to fill critical vacancies in local offices, Central Support Units and the Department's Inspectorate to deal with the increased volume of claims due to the downturn in the economy. Taking into account the numbers of staff who have left the Department and the vacancies that exist currently, a net total of 486 additional staff have been assigned to the Department.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, having regard to workloads, management priorities and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
In order to offer a more streamlined, efficient and integrated service to customers, the Department is also undergoing a process of intensive planning and organisational change in establishing the new National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES). The establishment of the NEES under the management of the Department brings together the Community Welfare Service (CWS), the Employment Services and Community Employment Programmes of FÁS, the Rural Social Scheme and Community Services Programme from the Department of Community, Equality and the Gaeltacht and the Redundancy and Insolvency Schemes from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.
It is my intention that the NEES will integrate all employment and benefit support services in a single delivery unit. This new service will provide a coherent, integrated and more personalised service to customers and will help minimise the duplication that characterised services which were provided separately in the past.
Regarding the backlog of appeals, I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that in addition to the allocation of extra appeals officers that she is keeping the methods of operation by which the Social Welfare Appeals Office conducts its business under constant review, and that the processes are continuously being enhanced to reduce the backlogs in the office and, overall, to reduce the processing times for dealing with appeals.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to source staff to fill critical vacancies by way of redeployment, or transfer from within the Department and other Government Departments, taking account of the employment control framework (ECF) target, as determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
127 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she can review the position in respect of entitlements to means tested social welfare payments for the self-employed which will take into account the economic circumstances of families that find themselves in situations of social and economic distress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12034/12]
I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare in June 2011 to address a number of specific issues regarding the operation and interaction of the tax and social protection systems. The Group has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be addressed and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes.
The Group has been asked to examine a number of issues and to identify specific practical institutional and administrative improvements. One of the issues I have asked them to examine and report is the question of providing social insurance cover for self-employed persons in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable.
The Group is currently prioritising child income support payments and will, thereafter, examine other issues, including the feasibility of provision of social insurance cover for the self-employed.
The Group's overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the terms of reference. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget/estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support.
128 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for carer’s allowance pending or on hand at present; the timespan within which it is likely that such claims will be cleared; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12035/12]
The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers.
A total of 17,758 carer's allowance applications were registered in 2011 and 13,762 were processed in the same period. Some 7,698 applications are registered and awaiting a decision at present.
A major service delivery modernisation project is underway to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the development of information technology functions and associated business process re-organisation. The first tranche of new carer's allowance claims began to be processed under the new system in August 2011.
It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customer. Accordingly, the project is being given high priority and involves a significant level of time and commitment from the relevant staff in the Department. This has had a short-term negative impact on claim processing times which is expected to continue until the completion of the modernisation project in June of this year when all existing carer's allowance claims will be transferred onto the new processing systems. In addition, to dealing with approximately 330 new carer's allowance applications that are received each week, overtime working is being applied to help reduce backlogs that have built up. However, it is expected to be a significant number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level.
While the new systems and processes will facilitate a significant improvement in overall processing times, it should be noted the intake of carer's allowance claims remains at a high level and that individual claims may continue to take some time to process. Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. In determining entitlement to the allowance, in certain cases unavoidable time lags are involved in making the necessary investigations and inquiries to enable accurate decisions to be made. Delays can also arise if those applying for the allowance are not in a position to supply all the necessary information in support of their claim.
The staff and other resources available to the Department are regularly reviewed with a view to ensuring claims are processed as quickly as possible. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate steps to resolve the situation.
In the meantime, if a person's means are insufficient to meet their needs while awaiting a decision on a claim, they may apply for a means tested supplementary welfare allowance payment from their local community welfare officer.
129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of positions created to date under the jobbridge scheme; the remaining number of places if any; the number of applications on hand or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12036/12]
The National Internship Scheme, JobBridge was launched on 1st July 2011. Currently, 5,163 interns have commenced internship placements. In addition, there are 2,266 internship placements currently advertised.
130 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects to be in a position to address the employment issue of the long-term unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12037/12]
As part of the overall Government approach to unemployment, the Department of Social Protection operates a range of employment support measures designed to encourage and support social welfare recipients of working age to reduce their dependency on welfare payments.
These include tús — the community work placement initiative, the rural social scheme (rss), community employment (ce) and the community services programme (csp). Under tús, there is provision for up to 5,000 short-term quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year, rollout of this initiative is advancing with 2,875 currently engaged on the payroll. Under the rss, 2,730 are engaged, while 23,300 people are provided with opportunities under the ce scheme. The csp currently supports 2,800 people in full and part-time employment. The purpose of work placement, employment and training schemes is to focus on those people who are long-term unemployed and likely to have more limited opportunity of returning to the labour market and in need of training. In addition, last week I announced a new initiative "Pathways to Work", which is a radical new plan to get unemployed people back to work. "Pathways to Work" is primarily focused on those who have been out of work for a year or more. The aim is to get 75,000 people who are currently long-term unemployed back into the workforce and to reduce the average time spent on the live register from 21 months today to less than 12 months by the end of 2015.
My Department will continue to encourage and support social welfare recipients of working age to reduce their dependency on welfare payments by entering into both part time and full time employment. The National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) process is a key element in addressing the progression needs of those on the live register. It provides an opportunity to explore and access, under professional guidance, a full range of employment and training services. In addition, as provided for under the Programme for Government, a new National Employment and Entitlements Service is being established under the management of the Department of Social Protection. The new service will integrate employment and benefit payment services and will be based on a case management approach with the objective of providing a more customised and personal service to customers. This Department will spend €977 million on employment supports in 2012, up from €882 million in 2011. This increased spending of €95 million, against a backdrop of significant fiscal consolidation, underlines the Government's commitment to enhancing support for employment. Overall, the Department will offer 85,650 job placement or work experience initiatives in 2012.
A policy review of the overall range of employment support, activation and work schemes operated by the Department is currently underway. The aim of the review is to assess the schemes, individually and in combination, ‘in the light of their contribution to the Department's policy objective of supporting people of working age into employment' and to recommend any changes to the current range of schemes/programmes seen as required on the basis of the analyses carried out'. The review is scheduled for completion by the end of March.
131 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for domiciliary care allowance currently on hand; the likely timescale for decisions; the degree, if any, to which she can speed up the processing of such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12038/12]
There are currently 450 applications for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) on hands in the Department, with approximately 100 new claims received each week. Each application is assessed by one of the Department's medical assessors before being returned to the deciding officer for decision. Applicants are notified of the outcome of their applications in writing. Currently, it takes approximately seven weeks to process an application.
132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to ensure against the occurrence of overpayments which result in recovery and consequent hardship, with particular reference to cases in which the overpayment is not as a result of oversight or negligence on the part of the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12039/12]
My Department is fully committed to recovering 100% of overpayments arising as a result of suspected fraud or error. Effective debt recovery is seen as an integral part of the deterrent to fraudulent claiming. Debt holders should be aware that a departmental debt will remain on their records until fully recovered and will result in a reduction of all future entitlements up to and including state pension. Following the death of a customer who owes a debt, the Department will have a claim on any estate remaining.
Those clients who are aware that they are being or have been overpaid by my Department should contact their local social welfare office immediately. An overpayment recovery plan, acceptable both to the customer and to the Department, will then be agreed. The general approach is that the recovery amount proposed will be the maximum repayment that the debtor can afford in order to recover the overpayment as quickly as possible.
The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of my Department. In the context of the Fraud Initiative 2011-2013 which I launched last September, the Department is reviewing its overall approach to debt recovery. A range of options are currently being considered with a view to both minimising overpayments and increasing the rate of recoveries. The consideration of all the options has to be balanced, of course, clearly taking into account the core income support and social inclusion purpose of social protection payments and any particular legal requirements.
133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the position of people on local authority housing lists who have not been offered housing accommodation and continue to rely on private rented accommodation, which in turn is the subject of very strict guidelines regarding the maximum rent payable, with particular reference to areas such as north Kildare, which, by virtue of their location, are in the higher rent bracket, and who now find themselves unable to source rental properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12040/12]
Rent supplement provides short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. Since 2005, rent supplement expenditure has increased from €369 million to a provisional outturn of €503 million in 2011. The number of persons claiming the allowance increased from almost 60,200 persons in 2005 to over 96,800 at end 2011, a 61% increase.
The Government has effectively two initiatives to deal with long term reliance on rent supplement. The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is in operation since 2004 and the new Housing Policy Initiative as announced by our colleagues the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Housing and Planning on 16th June 2011.
Both initiatives give the local authorities specific responsibility for meeting the long term housing needs of people receiving rent supplement. Latest figures show that over 37,700 rent supplement tenancies have now been transferred from rent supplement to RAS and other social housing options since its inception.
The new maximum rent limits were set after an analysis of the most up to date market data available. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.
As the Department currently funds approximately 40% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review, reflect current market conditions and do not distort the market in way that could increase rent prices for others, such as low paid workers and students.
As existing claims come up for review (most claims are reviewed every six months), or when an existing lease expires, they will be reassessed using the new limits. Where a claim is under review and the rent is above the new maximum limit the customer is being asked to contact the landlord to renegotiate the rent. Where a landlord does not agree to reduce the rent to the new rates departmental officials will discuss the options open to the tenant up to and including seeking alternative accommodation. Departmental guidance to the officers administering rent supplement states that where negotiation with the landlord fails then rent supplement may continue to be paid for a period of up to thirteen weeks at the higher rate.
However, once the lease has expired, the tenant will be expected to find suitable accommodation at below the new limits in force. It is accepted that in limited circumstances rent supplement recipients may be forced to secure alternative accommodation. It should be stressed however, that these new limits will not cause or create homelessness for anyone in receipt of rent supplement.
134 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons engaged in community employment or related training or education schemes throughout County Kildare; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to ensure the retention of all such places, in view of the particularly high degree of professional management and occupational skills encompassed in the programme within County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12041/12]
The total number of persons employed on 32 individual CE projects in Co. Kildare is currently 646. There are no plans in 2012 to reduce the allocated number of CE places in Co. Kildare.
In line with the national review of CE, DSP Community Development Officers are in the process of engaging with all Sponsors of CE programmes in Co Kildare, in order to ensure that Sponsors are fully briefed on the review. Sponsors are been issued with pro-forma returns to assist them to complete their review.
The baseline amount of the grant remains the €500 per participant announced in the Budget. But there is discretion to make an amount of up to €1,000 per participant available to schemes in respect of the training and materials grant this year, subject to individual schemes providing a clear and transparent demonstration of need for this level of funding.
135 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she expects to be in a position to provide the necessary resources to retain the maximum number of places on community employment or related schemes throughout County Kildare, having particular regard to the ongoing success of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12042/12]
There are no plans in 2012 to reduce the allocated number of Community Employment (CE) places in Co. Kildare.
In line with the national review of CE, the Department's community development officers are in the process of engaging with all sponsors of CE programmes in Co. Kildare, in order to ensure that sponsors are fully briefed on the review. Sponsors are being issued with pro-forma returns to assist them to complete their review.
The baseline amount of the grant remains the €500 per participant announced in the Budget. But there is discretion to make an amount of up to €1,000 per participant available to schemes in respect of the training and materials grant this year, subject to individual schemes providing a clear and transparent demonstration of need for this level of funding.
137 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of lone parents receiving one-parent family payment who are in work, yet are below the 19-hour threshold to qualify for family income supplement. [12068/12]
There were 90,267 recipients of One-parent Family Payments at the end of January 2012 with payments being made in respect of 149,196 qualified children. It is estimated that approximately 46% of the recipients are in paid employment.
Information concerning the working patterns of recipients of One-Parent Family Payment is not collated by my Department. Therefore, it is not possible to identify what proportion of the 46% estimated to be in paid employment have fewer than 19 hours of work. However, I can inform the Deputy that 6,212 recipients of One-Parent Family Payment are also in receipt of Family Income Supplement, indicating that they have more than 19 hours' paid employment while still being on low income.
138 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has initiated a review of the proposed changes to the community employment scheme that were announced in budget 2012; the outcome of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12069/12]
A financial review of Community Employment schemes has commenced following the announced changes in Budget 2012. All schemes have been communicated with and met by an officer of my Department. Returns from these meetings are now being examined on a regional basis in terms of the funding requirements and what savings can be achieved within the limits set down by the Department. These outcomes will be analysed and will form the basis of the review findings which will be available from the end of March.
Initial feedback is that the additional flexibility of €1,000 provided by my Department has helped to ease the situation. There is a growing realisation that some reduction is necessary given the budgetary situation and there is a general acceptance of this in principle.
A series of meetings are taking place at national level with representative bodies in relation to coming up with solutions as to how savings can be gained within the programme and further meetings are planned. The financial review is due to be completed by the end of March 2012.
Due to the widespread consultation and the level of detail being provided it is not possible to make any recommendations or decisions until the process is completed.
There is also a review of Employment Support programmes, which includes Community Employment. Stakeholders are also being consulted as part of this review process. This review will also be completed by the end of March 2012. These reviews and subsequent reports at both the individual CE scheme level and at the macro level will provide good evidence on which to base future policy and ensure the most appropriate support for participants and the services provided to the community and voluntary sector.
139 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will estimate the cost to her Department in a full year of extending the right to short term welfare benefits, such as jobseeker’s benefit and illness benefit, to persons who pay class S pay-related social insurance; if she has considered such a proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12080/12]
Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). Ordinary employees who have access to the full range of social insurance benefits pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI Class A. (For employees earning less than €356 per week, the rate of employer's PRSI is 4.25%).
Any changes to the PRSI system to extend the full range of social insurance benefits, including jobseeker's benefit and illness benefit, to self-employed persons would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered in the context of a much more significant rise in the rate of contribution payable.
It is not possible at this stage to estimate the cost in a full year of extending the right to short term welfare benefits to the self-employed. I have, however, established the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government. The Advisory Group has been requested, inter alia, to examine and report on issues involved in providing social insurance cover for self-employed persons in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable. In addition, the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund, which is due to be completed in mid-2012, will also examine this matter.
Questions Nos. 140 and 141 withdrawn.
142 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full entitlement to contributory State pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12097/12]
To qualify for a State pension (contributory), the person concerned must:
have entered into insurable employment before age 56.
have at least 260 weeks full rate paid contributions (at least 520 contributions after 6 April 2012).
have a yearly average of at least 10 contributions recorded (taking paid and credited PRSI conditions into account) from 1953 or from the date of entry into insurance (whichever is the later) to the end of the last complete contribution year before reaching pension age.
The Department has not received a claim for State pension (contributory) from the person concerned. A claim form has been sent to her and on receipt of the completed claim form, her entitlement to pension will be fully examined and she will be notified of the outcome without delay.
143 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 9 February 2012, wherein it was indicated that a departmental facilitator was in contact with the person concerned to advise them of entitlements and support, given that no such contact was made, when it might be expected that such a meeting could take place with a view to identifying full entitlement and opportunities such as education and up-skilling with a view to return to work in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12098/12]
The facilitator has contacted the person concerned and has arranged to meet him on 5 March 2012 to advise him of his entitlements and the education and training supports available.
144 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason entitlement to invalidity pension is being questioned in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12100/12]
Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
The person concerned was awarded an invalidity pension from 21 December 2006. Invalidity pension claims are reviewed periodically to ensure that recipients continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt. Payment of invalidity pension will continue during this review process. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of this review.
145 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for back to education allowance from September 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12101/12]
There are a number of qualifying conditions for the back to education allowance scheme and it is not possible at this stage to determine if the person concerned will qualify for the 2012 scheme. She should submit an application when she has been accepted by the college for her chosen course of study and her application will be assessed in accordance with the guidelines for the 2012 scheme.
146 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications that have been received for rent allowance monthly in each of the past three years and monthly to date in 2012 by nationals and non-nationals. [12114/12]
Information is not available on the number of applications received each month for rent supplement broken down by nationality. However, the following tabular statement details the number of rent supplement recipients in 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012. A subsequent table provides details of rent supplement recipients broken down between Irish and non-Irish nationality for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011:
|
Year |
Number of Recipients |
|
2009 |
93,030 |
|
2010 |
97,260 |
|
2011 |
96,803 |
|
2012 (to 25th February) |
95,616 |
|
End 2009 |
End 2010 |
End 2011 |
||||
|
Nationality |
Recipients |
% |
Recipients |
% |
Recipients |
% |
|
Irish |
59,263 |
63.7% |
61,927 |
63.7% |
61,752 |
63.8 |
|
Non-Irish |
33,767 |
36.3% |
35,333 |
36.3% |
35,051 |
36.2 |
|
Total |
93,030 |
100% |
97,260 |
100% |
96,803 |
100% |
147 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the eligibility criteria under which applicants to the warmer homes scheme will be assessed; and if he will provide a definitive timeline for when the work group will have decided the new criteria in order that 2012 applications may be processed. [11926/12]
The Better Energy: Warmer Homes scheme is managed on behalf of my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty.
Previously, applicants were deemed eligible by SEAI for retrofit measures if they met defined criteria, such as eligibility for the National Fuel Scheme. All successful applicants were placed on a waiting list and addressed in rotation. The SEAI advises that there is a total of 10,382 homes on the national waiting list as of 13 February 2012. Energy efficiency upgrades continue to be provided and households on the waiting list on 31 December 2011 are being retrofitted according to their position on the waiting list. All applicants since that date have been informed that there will be a change in eligibility criteria.
The focus in 2012 is shifting to addressing, as a priority, those households identified as being in extreme energy poverty. Such households typically spend over 20% of their disposable income on energy services. Factors that will be taken into account in reviewing the eligibility criteria include the age of the home, the thermal efficiency of the home, the number and age of occupants, health considerations and household income. This will ensure that those most in need receive the benefit of energy efficiency measures first. The revised eligibility criteria will be published shortly and implementation of the prioritisation mechanism will begin next month.
148 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available to householders accessing the better energy homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11938/12]
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme, on behalf of my Department. The scheme is a demand-led programme open to all homeowners of dwellings built before 2006. The grants available under the Better Energy: Homes programme are set out in the following table:
|
Better Energy: Homes scheme |
Support Levels € |
|
Roof Insulation |
200 |
|
External wall insulation |
|
|
Apartment (any) OR Mid-terrace House |
1,800 |
|
Semi-detached OR End of terrace |
2,700 |
|
Detached House |
3,600 |
|
Internal Wall Dry-Lining |
|
|
Apartment (any) OR Mid-terrace House |
900 |
|
Semi-detached OR End of Terrace |
1,350 |
|
Detached House |
1,800 |
|
Cavity Wall Insulation |
250 |
|
High Efficiency Gas or Oil fired Boiler with Heating Controls Upgrade |
560 |
|
Heating Controls Upgrade |
400 |
|
BER After Upgrade Works (Only one BER grant per home) |
50 |
|
Solar Thermal |
800 |
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and there is a dedicated hotline at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
149 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number and types of fishing licences issued in Dublin for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the cost of purchasing each type of licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11939/12]
The number, types and costs of fishing licences issued by Inland Fisheries Ireland in Dublin District for the years 2010, 2011 are shown in the tables below.
The full details to date for 2012 are not yet available and those shown are as per the number of books (each containing 10 licences) issued to shops and may not all be sold.
|
2010 |
Licence Type |
Price |
Qty Sold |
Total Value (€) |
|
A Licence sales |
Annual |
120 |
367 |
44,040 |
|
B Licence Sales |
District |
58 |
88 |
5,104 |
|
P Licence Sales |
Juvenile |
18 |
34 |
612 |
|
R Licence Sales |
21 day |
46 |
62 |
2,852 |
|
S Licence Sales |
1 day ordinary |
32 |
20 |
640 |
|
W Licence Sales |
Foyle Extension |
76 |
7 |
532 |
|
578 |
53,780 |
|
2011 |
Licence Type |
Price |
Qty Sold |
Total Value (€) |
|
A Licence sales |
Annual |
120 |
402 |
48,240 |
|
B Licence Sales |
District |
58 |
97 |
5,626 |
|
P Licence Sales |
Juvenile |
18 |
24 |
432 |
|
R Licence Sales |
21 day |
46 |
44 |
2,024 |
|
S Licence Sales |
1 day ordinary |
32 |
33 |
1,056 |
|
W Licence Sales |
Foyle Extension |
76 |
4 |
304 |
|
604 |
57,682 |
|
2012*** (To date) |
Licence Type |
Price |
Qty Sold |
Total Value (€) |
|
A Licence sales |
Annual |
100 |
150 |
15,000 |
|
B Licence Sales |
District |
56 |
150 |
8,400 |
|
P Licence Sales |
Juvenile |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
R Licence Sales |
21 day |
40 |
0 |
0 |
|
S Licence Sales |
1 day ordinary |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
W Licence Sales |
Foyle Extension |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
226 |
23,400 |
***2012 figures are books issued to shops and may not be all sold.
150 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011 or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12570/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that any issues regarding pension funds for Commercial Semi State Companies are an operational matter for each Company.
151 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the household charge is in fact a law or a statute; if it is in fact law, if he will clarify the reason the public are being asked to register their consent to pay the charge instead of all home owners being sent a letter requesting them to pay it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11915/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge.
Citizens and residents of the State are bound by the laws of the State as enacted by the Oireachtas in accordance with the Constitution of Ireland.
The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January, 2012 to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, that person is required to declare that liability and to pay the household charge by 31 March, 2012. The Act further provides for offences where a person contravenes these statutory requirements.
152 Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discretion he has to allow local authorities to change guidelines for the affordable housing scheme allowing the council to temporarily rent out their homes with reference to the clawback that applies for a period of 20 years from the date of purchase, subject to the reduction provided between years ten and 20 for normal residency by the purchaser; and with further reference to the applicant complying with obligations required by a private landlord; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11961/12]
The allocation of an affordable home is made on the basis that an individual is in need of housing, is a first time buyer, cannot afford to purchase privately on the open market but can service a mortgage obtained by loan through an approved financial institution or a local authority where private finance has been refused. While the terms and conditions of the various affordable housing schemes and the regulations governing local authority loans do not prohibit an affordable home owner from renting a spare room in his/her home, a local authority may attach conditions to the contract with the purchaser pertaining to subletting of the unit and its use by the purchaser as his/her normal place of residence. In order to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes, houses sold to first time buyers under the various affordable housing schemes, at a significant discount from market value, contain a clawback provision. However, where a person is selling an affordable home and the clawback amount payable would reduce the proceeds of resale below the initial price actually paid, the legislation provides for the amount of the clawback payable to be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid that result. A breach of contract conditions would be a matter for a local authority to pursue as it considers appropriate given the particular circumstances involved. The administration of the various affordable housing schemes is a matter entirely for local authorities.
As announced in the Government's Housing Policy Statement, published on 16 June 2011, all affordable housing schemes, including shared ownership, have been stood down in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. A request for tenders in respect of the review was published at the beginning of February 2012.
153 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legal situation and current practice in relation to the management of CAS schemes by approved housing bodies once the mortgage period on the properties has expired and the property is no longer subject to the requirements of the mortgage deed with the local authority; if he intends to put in place a guidance framework for such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11964/12]
Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 1992 enables housing authorities to provide capital funding to approved housing bodies (AHBs) in respect of the provision of housing. A body seeking to obtain, and to retain, approved status under Section 6 of the Act must have as primary objectives, the provision of accommodation for low-income families or persons with special needs such as the elderly, the homeless or persons with a physical or intellectual disability. It must also have in its memorandum of association or registered rules, as the case may be, provisions prohibiting the distribution of any surplus, profit, bonus or dividend to members and requiring that the assets of the body be applied solely towards its objectives.
Approved housing bodies (AHB) are the owners of the accommodation schemes financed under my Department's capital funding schemes. These bodies have overall responsibility for the proper management and maintenance of their dwellings. It is also their responsibility to ensure that procedures and administrative arrangements are in place to achieve compliance with the terms of the capital funding schemes. It is a matter for the housing authority to have suitable liaison arrangements in place to oversee the administration of the schemes, and to ensure that the investment made in the dwellings provided under the schemes is preserved and the terms of the mortgage arrangements are complied with.
The Government's Housing Policy Statement, published in June 2011, identifies AHBs as key partners in the delivery of social housing. This recognises both the constrained funding levels available for local authority construction programmes and the capacity and track-record of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector.
AHBs are uniquely placed to help drive the achievement of the housing supply responses set out in the policy statement. However, the move from capital funded programmes of construction and acquisition by approved housing bodies to more revenue funded options presents challenges for them. As such, I intend to develop an enabling regulatory framework for the sector that will provide support and assurance both to the sector itself and to its external partners as it takes on the expanded role envisaged for it in the policy statement and to underline its status as a viable and attractive investment opportunity for financial institutions.
The development of such a regulatory framework, which is both robust and harmonised with the varying capacities of individual AHBs, will take some time. In the interim my Department is actively working with the sector on the development of a voluntary code which I expect most bodies will endorse. This code, which should be finalised and agreed in the coming months, will serve as a learning opportunity for the sector and for my Department as we develop a longer-term statutory framework that will best support the enhanced role of AHBs.
In the context of this regulatory work, my Department is keeping the situation in relation to the expiration of mortgage periods under review and will examine, in consultation with housing authorities and the voluntary housing sector, whether specific guidance in this area might be of assistance.
154 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise on a refuse bin collection problem relating to a person (details suppled); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11976/12]
In a number of remote rural areas, no household waste collection service is provided. For households without a collection service, there is a network of civic amenity sites and bring banks which accept a wide range of waste materials.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service.
A public consultation designed to inform the policy development process concluded in September 2011. A large number of responses were received from a broad spectrum of interests. A consensus is not apparent and, on almost all of the relevant issues, a considerable breadth of opinion was expressed. All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.
I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals in relation to household waste collection to Government by Easter this year. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives. Issues including uncollected waste and service coverage will be considered in this context.
155 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects to be in a position to provide funding to Galway City Council in respect of the housing grant for people with a disability, housing aid for older people and the mobility aids housing grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11979/12]
My Department's involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. The grant schemes, introduced in November 2007, are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. It is a matter for each local authority to determine how the funding is apportioned between the various grant measures and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within the allocation.
Exchequer allocations for 2012, totaling some €54.2 million, were notified to local authorities on 28 February under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. The Exchequer allocation to Galway City Council for 2012 amounts to €742,682
156 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions No. 191 and 192 of 22 February 2012 and notwithstanding the information contained therein, if he accepts that it is essential for his Department to routinely collect data sought in order that the effectiveness of the national scheme can be monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11998/12]
My Department does not currently collect information regarding the number of homes available and applications received under the Incremental Purchase Scheme in housing authorities. I consider it appropriate that my Department should collect this information and it is currently under consideration as to how best this should be done.
157 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of emergency funding for safety measures in ghost estates that has been applied for and drawn down by Kerry County Council; if he will provide details of the list of category four ghost estates in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12022/12]
My Department has received no applications for funding under the Public Safety Initiative from Kerry County Council nor have any estates in the Council's functional area been categorised as category 4 rendering them eligible for consideration for such funding.
158 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 2 February 2012, if he will confirm that social housing applications are updated at the counter of the local authority office in view of a statement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12029/12]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 162 of 2 February 2012, which outlines the policy in place for updating details or circumstances of households deemed qualified for social housing support and placed on the waiting list.
Notification of change of details of the household to the housing authority does not, in itself, require resubmission of an application form. However, the housing authority, at its discretion, may request additional information to verify the change of details or circumstances.
159 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it states in the housing policy the maximum acceptable time that a person has to wait for an assessment for housing need following receipt of a social housing application; if he will give details of this timeframe; and her plans to review the current policy. [12030/12]
Part 3 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, sets out the timeframe in which a housing authority must assess an applicant for qualification for social housing support.
A housing authority should deal with the application within a period of 12 weeks of receipt or, where the authority has requested additional information for the purpose of verifying information relating to the application, within 6 weeks of the receipt of such additional information. If the housing authority cannot complete the assessment of eligibility within the relevant period for stated reasons, the authority may extend the period for a maximum of 14 weeks.
I have no plans to review the current policy at this stage.
160 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the building control sections of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12059/12]
A fee of €30 is payable with a Commencement Notice required in accordance with section 6(2)(k) of the Building Control Act 1990. Where a commencement notice relates to more than one building, the fee is €30 per building up to maximum fee of €3,800.
The Building Control Act clearly places responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations on the owner of the building concerned and on the builder/developer who carries out the works. Moreover Section 6(4)(a) of the Act clearly specifies that where a commencement notice is submitted to a building control authority, the building control authority is not under any duty to any person to ensure that the building or works to which the notice relates will, either during the works or when completed, comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations or be free from any defect.
Building control authorities do however have a responsibility for enforcement of the Building Regulations and under the Act have strong powers to:
(i) scrutinise proposals and inspect works in progress;
(ii) serve enforcement notices for non-compliance;
(iii) institute proceedings for breaches of regulatory requirements;
(iv) seek High Court injunctions if non-compliance poses considerable and serious danger to the public.
The agreed national inspection target is that each building control authority should inspect a minimum of at least 12% to 15% of buildings covered by valid Commencement Notices submitted to the authority. My Department understands from statistical returns from building control authorities, that an inspection rate of 23% was achieved across the local authority sector during 2010.
I attach high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings. That is why, in July 2011, I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations.
In broad terms the measures will involve:
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;
(b) the lodgement of drawings at both commencement and completion of construction, demonstrating how the building has been designed and built to comply with all parts of the Building Regulations;
(c) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective oversight of building activity;
(d) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;
(e) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.
Mandatory certification, lodgement of drawings and improved inspection arrangements as outlined above are key reforms which, I believe, will have the capacity to improve the quality of buildings and will lead to further strengthening of the regulatory regime as early as possible in 2012.
Professionals who are engaged by developers will be required to ensure that construction at least meets the legal minimum standards and there is an urgent need for the construction professions to deliver high standards and professionalism in the construction field.
161 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12060/12]
The matter referred to in the question was endorsed by the Oireachtas in the context of the Planning and Development Act 2010 and is intended to enhance the efficiency with which the Board discharges its functions. The reduced quorum applies only in respect of certain cases. I have no plans at present to amend the quorum.
As indicated in the reply to Question No. 464 of 14 February 2012 the statutory process of filling a number of the current vacancies on the Board is now underway and I expect to be in a position to make appointments shortly. When appointing new Board members I will be taking account of the balance of skill sets and expertise required for the effective discharge of An Bord Pleanála's complex and wide ranging functions. Appointees to the Board do not represent their nominating body but are appointed to provide, as a function of the Board, an independent consideration of planning authorities' decisions submitted to the Board on appeal, and to adjudicate on a number of other matters including strategic infrastructure areas.
162 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the findings of his Department’s inspectors who inspected the Priory Hall development, Dublin, in 2006 for fire safety and building control issues; if these findings were communicated to Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12083/12]
I assume the question relates to inspections undertaken by the Housing Inspectorate of my Department following an application by the developer of the Priory Hall complex for Floor Area Compliance Certificates (FACCs) as introduced by section 72 of the 2004 Finance Act. The focus of the FACC process was to determine eligibility for exemption from stamp duty and the certificates issued serve no other purpose.
The application for the FACC was assigned to one of my Department's inspectors who then took responsibility for processing the application, which included a number of on-site visits for inspection purposes and written correspondence with the developer seeking documentary evidence of compliance with the Building Regulations. During this process my Department's inspector raised a number of concerns with the site engineer, which were notified in writing to the developer, in relation to the absence of fire collars on pipes and adequacy of roof and wall insulation. My Department's inspector subsequently liaised with the site engineer to resolve the areas of concern and no communication took place with Dublin City Council. The site engineer was requested to remove external cladding in order to fit the required insulation and to arrange for installation of fire collars on pipes.
Spot checks were subsequently undertaken by my Department's inspector to confirm the defects had been remedied. In relation to the fire collars the developer subsequently provided a certificate from CLM Fire Protection Limited dated 21 November 2006 confirming that fire collars had been installed in compliance with the Building Regulations. In addition signed copies of RIAI Form 1 — The Architect's Opinion on Compliance with Building Regulations (the form for use where professional architectural service has been provided at the design and construction stage of the relevant building or works) were provided by the developer to the Department's inspector in support of the FACC application.
These forms for Priory Hall were signed by a registered member of the RIAI and accompanied by the RIAI Membership Stamp confirming that architectural services were provided at design and construction stages; that designs (based on drawings submitted by the signatory) are in substantial compliance with the Building Regulations; and that fire safety certificates were properly obtained. The form is completed by the inclusion of the statement that "in the opinion of the Architect concerned, the construction of the relevant Building or Works is in substantial compliance with the Building Regulations." The onus is on the owner/developer and agents acting on their behalf to ensure compliance with the building regulations, including fire safety requirements.
In late 2008, following a complaint to Dublin Fire Brigade, Dublin City Council became concerned about fire safety issues more generally at Priory Hall and this resulted in a full investigative survey of the development which identified further and more serious concerns than had been uncovered by any previous inspection. Since that time it has used the statutory powers available to it to pursue compliance with planning permission conditions and with fire safety and building standards requirements, all of which are at issue in relation to Priory Hall. Failure by the developer to honour court undertakings to remedy fire safety defects led to the latest High Court proceedings.
163 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing applications received monthly in each of the past three years and monthly to date in 2012 by nationals and non-nationals; and if he will detail the nationality of the applicants. [12113/12]
The information requested is not collected by my Department.
164 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide financial assistance to community and voluntary groups to assist with redundancy payments when such groups have to lay off employees or when particular programmes end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12115/12]
While my Department funds, both directly and indirectly, a number of community and voluntary groups through the various Programmes it operates, my Department is not, and never has been, the employer of staff in these groups. My Department therefore has no role in the internal operations of these groups and does not set the salary or the other terms and conditions of employment, including in relation to redundancy payments. This is a matter for the Groups concerned.
In the past, under the Community Development Programme, my Department has provided grant aid towards the costs of statutory redundancy payments in certain limited circumstances, and provided that the rebate from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation was refunded in full to the Department.
165 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011 or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12572/12]
None of the agencies under the remit of my Department is considered to be a commercial semi-State company.
166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which domestic disputes culminating in court procedures are a determinant in respect of the issue of public service vehicle, PSV licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12110/12]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the regulations governing the issue of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences are set out in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963. I can inform the Deputy that the processing of PSV applications with regard to the suitability of the applicant is a matter for the Garda authorities. In that regard, I am advised that, where an application for a PSV licence is duly made, the Commissioner shall grant the licence if, inter alia, he is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence to drive small public service vehicles and has not been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Commissioner would render him/her unsuitable to hold a PSV licence. I am further informed that there is currently no legislative provision in force specifying the offences which would render an applicant who has been convicted of a specified offence unsuitable to hold a PSV licence.
167 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the community policing arrangements that will be put in place now that he has directed the closure of Tourmakeady Garda station, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11922/12]
Tourmakeady is in the Castlebar District and the Garda strength of that District, as of the 31 January 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 83. These resources are augmented by 12 civilian staff who provide vital technical and administrative support in the Castlebar District and free up sworn officers for operational duty. While the number of dedicated Community Gardaí in Castlebar station is 2, all Gardaí have responsibility to deal with Community Policing issues as and when they arise.The Commissioner is committed to providing a professional and effective service to the community, both urban and rural.
The importance of the partnership between An Garda Síochána and the community in preventing and detecting crime and maintaining a safe environment for everyone can never be over-emphasised and the pledge of An Garda Síochána is to continue to invest time and energy in those partnerships and relationships to the benefit of all. It is intended where possible that the resources presently assigned to Tourmakeady Garda station will remain in the Castlebar District, subject at all times to operational requirements as determined by the Commissioner.
168 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the application for naturalisation in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11923/12]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that applications for a certificate of naturalisation were received from the persons referred to by the Deputy in October, 2011. The applications are currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicants meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
169 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will allocate a community Garda van to a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11931/12]
The provision and allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that a dedicated vehicle has been provided for use by the Community Policing Units operating within the Garda Division to which the station referred to by the Deputy is attached. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the current transport arrangements meet the needs of the relevant Community Policing Units and that the situation will be kept under review.
170 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drug dealing convictions over €250,000 during the years 2007 to 2012, inclusive; the resulting sentence for each conviction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11932/12]
Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the management and administration of the courts including responsibility for maintaining and publishing court statistics is a function of the Courts Service. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it does not record the number of drug dealing convictions over €250,000 as there is no statutory threshold in relation to that monetary value. The Courts Service has informed me that statistics are maintained in respect of Section 15(a) and (b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 which provides for the only applicable threshold in relation to the market value of drugs. That threshold is €13,000 and I will request the Courts Service to forward the information direct to the Deputy.
171 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí, by rank, who have retired to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11933/12]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of sworn members by rank who retired between 1 January and 29 February 2012 was as set out in the following table:
|
A/Comm |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
|
1 |
5 |
15 |
15 |
71 |
155 |
172 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of warrants that were outstanding as of 20 February 2012 in the Garda J and R districts of the Dublin region; the average time before a warrant is served; if additional resources will be allocated to ensure no significant delays in serving warrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11934/12]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that records on PULSE show that there are currently 613 bench warrants, 233 committal warrants and 6,509 penal warrants outstanding in the Garda Districts referred to by the Deputy. In 2011 the majority of all warrants in these Garda Districts were executed within a six month timeframe from the date of issue of the warrant. I am further informed that a range of measures have been identified and implemented which are aimed at reducing the number of warrants on hand and the position is being closely monitored by senior Garda management.
173 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of income received from road traffic offences for the years 2009 to 2011, inclusive and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11935/12]
The collection of payments under the Fixed Charge Processing System was outsourced to An Post in January 2006. I am informed by the Garda authorities that information provided by An Post details the amount collected in respect of all fixed charge offence notices (road traffic, public order etc.) that attract penalty points and those that do not. These are referred to as Declaration Notices and Non-Declaration Notices respectively. The amounts collected in respect of Declaration Notices and Non-Declaration Notices for each of the years from 2009 up to 24 February 2012 are shown in the following table:
|
Gross Amount Collected |
An Post Charges |
Total Amount Collected for all Notices |
||
|
Year |
Declaration |
Non-Declaration |
All Notices |
|
|
2012 (to 24/02/2012) |
€2,612,330 |
€704,020 |
€75,358 |
€3,240,992 |
|
2011 |
€19,796,090 |
€4,682,380 |
€1,192,849 |
€23,285,621 |
|
2010 |
€14,456,460 |
€5,428,710 |
€814,105 |
€19,071,065 |
|
2009 |
€16,041,980 |
€5,921,230 |
€1,175,410 |
€20,787,800 |
The amounts received in respect of Road Traffic Fines imposed by the Courts from 2009 to January 2012 are as follows:
|
Year |
€m |
|
2012 (January) |
€0.881m |
|
2011 |
€9.488m |
|
2010 |
€11.372m |
|
2009 |
€15.665m |
174 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff by rank that are currently working in the Garda transport section at Garda headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11936/12]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of personnel assigned to the Garda Transport Section is 14, which is broken down as follows:
1 Garda Inspector,
1 Higher Executive Officer,
1 Garda,
1 Executive Officer,
10 Clerical Officers.
The allocation of all resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in consultation with his senior management.
175 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time a person applying for naturalisation must wait to receive notice of their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11956/12]
Upon receipt of an application for a certificate of naturalisation initial checks are conducted to ensure that it is valid and eligible. Applicants are currently being issued notification of their application status and application number within on average 5 working days, although this can be exceed for short periods from time to time when significant volumes of applications are received.
176 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the length of time a person who applied for naturalisation in July 2011 will be obliged to wait to discover if their application has been successful or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11957/12]
As the processing requirements and time taken to complete necessary checks vary from case to case, it is not possible to provide a specific date for determination of an individual application. However, I can say that I expect to make decisions on a large volume of 2011 applications in the coming months. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
177 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is any provision in law, but which has not been commenced through statutory instrument or otherwise, for the labelling of all alcohol for sale to indicate the specific retail outlet in which it was sold; if this is not the case if he will urgently introduce measures to ensure that all alcohol for sale is labelled to indicate its sale point of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12005/12]
The Government Alcohol Advisory Group considered the feasibility of regulations to require the labelling of alcohol containers in its 2008 Report. Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides for the making of regulations specifying particulars to be affixed to containers in which intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption off licensed premises which would enable the licensee and the licensed premises concerned to be identified. However, no such regulations have been made to date for reasons outlined in the Group's Report. The Group noted that while the labelling of alcohol containers was an attractive idea, significant challenges would need to be overcome in order to render it effective in practice. These challenges arose under two headings.
Firstly, practical difficulties would arise at retail level in cases where several individual containers were packaged together for sale, e.g. an enclosed six-pack of bottles; a plastic-wrapped tray of cans; or a wooden box containing bottles of wine. This raised the question of whether an appropriate label could be attached earlier in the supply or distribution chains rather than at the point of sale. The Group noted that attaching such labels to containers at an earlier stage might be simpler but it could create logistical difficulties for importers and distributors. Moreover, in the case of imports from EU countries, such additional labelling requirements could be regarded as infringing internal market rules relating to free movement of such goods.
Secondly, from an enforcement perspective, it was clear that possession by an underage person of a labelled container would not in itself constitute proof that the alcohol in the container has been illegally supplied to that person by the licensee whose particulars appeared on the container. The labelled container could have been taken from the family home or have been sold to a person over the age of 18 in good faith before being passed on to the person in possession of it. Indeed a container might have changed hands several times before coming into possession of the underage person.
The Group also noted that according to answers already given to parliamentary questions on the subject, issues relating to the evidential value of being found in possession of a labelled container had been raised during discussions on implementation of the 2003 Act with the Office of the Attorney General. That Office had expressed serious doubts about the evidential value of being found in possession of a labelled container and the overall effectiveness of any regulations that might be made under section 22 of the 2003 Act. For these reasons, I do not intend to make regulations under section 22 of the 2003 Act but I am prepared to give serious consideration in the context of the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill to any reasonable and workable labelling proposal that would not give rise to the difficulties outlined in the 2008 Report.
178 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received and reviewed the recent Blanchardstown alcohol strategy 2012 to 2014; his views that any of the objectives, particularly in terms of supply, reduction and enforcement, could be rolled out on a nationwide basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12006/12]
The document referred to by the Deputy has been brought to my Department's attention. Insofar as the development of national policy is concerned, this is a matter which will be considered further in the development of a National Substance Misuse Strategy under the aegis of the Department of Health, and in line with the Programme for Government commitment in this regard.
179 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options available in terms of qualification for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12102/12]
The person concerned has been in the State without the permission of the Minister since August 2005. Consequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 16th July, 2010, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should not have a Deportation Order made against her. The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
180 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in respect of provision of stamp 4 status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the order of procedures to be followed in their respective cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/12]
The first person named entered the State on 12 November, 1997 with his mother. He availed of the permission granted to his mother based on him being a family dependent. She was granted temporary permission to remain in the State in 2000 under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish born children. This permission to remain has been renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid to 9 January, 2014.
Given that he is now over sixteen years of age and entered the State with his mother, he is required to register his permission to remain. In this regard, he should attend his local Immigration Office with his mother, and submit his valid original passport and birth certificate for registration purposes. I should add that Stamp 2A is generally issued in cases of children aged between 16 and 18 who are studying with Stamp 4 being issued when such children become adults at age 18.
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the second person referred to by the Deputy in August, 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
181 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position on an application for naturalisation and family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12104/12]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in July, 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that there is no record of a Family Reunification application from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
182 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality notwithstanding the reply to previous parliamentary questions which do not appear to have regard to the details in the case wherein a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 is deemed to have a valid national passport and therefore not entitled to an Irish temporary travel document in view of the fact that their national passports were ceased by the authorities on the basis that having more than one such passport was illegal, if the matter will be examined with a view to ensuring that their national passport be restored or a travel document issued in lieu thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12105/12]
I refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions No. 206 of 19th January 2012 and No. 169 of 9th February 2012. The position remains unchanged. In particular, I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 9th February 2012 which stated the following:
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that, as an exceptional measure, the person concerned was issued with an Irish temporary travel document for travel purposes. It is understood that the person now holds a valid national passport. An Irish temporary travel document would not be issued to an individual who holds a valid national passport. The person concerned should contact their own national authorities should they have any issues with their passport.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
183 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures in respect of residency leading to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12106/12]
The Deputy should note that as the person concerned has no current right of residency in the State, the issue of naturalisation does not arise at this stage. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
184 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and-or expected residency status and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12107/12]
The person concerned has had his leave to remain in the State renewed for a further one year period, to 29 April 2012. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 28 April 2011. There is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy’s question.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
185 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in respect of entitlement to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12108/12]
A Deportation Order was made against this person on 13 January, 2011 which required him to remove himself from the State and remain outside the State. As he failed to remove himself from the State, he was deported from the State to his country of origin on 7th February 2011. The Deportation Order requires him to remain outside the State and therefore he has no permission to enter or reside in the State. Officials in the Citizenship Division of INIS inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
186 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in respect of the updating of stamp 4 and naturalisation process in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12109/12]
The first named person concerned has had his temporary permission to remain in the State renewed for a further one year period, until 11th April, 2012. This decision was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 31st March, 2011. The person concerned is required to apply one month before the end of his expiry period if he wishes to renew this temporary permission to remain.
Officials in the Citizenship Division of INIS inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from this first named person. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. The second person referred to by the Deputy was granted permission to remain in the State on 14 June, 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission to remain was renewed in 2007 and in 2010, and is currently valid to 14 June, 2013. An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the second named person in February 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether she meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
I am advised that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation having been submitted in respect of a minor child. Such an application is only possible where the child was born in the State without an entitlement to Irish citizenship, where there are Irish Associations or where the application is made by a naturalised Irish citizen on behalf of their child.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
187 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Permanent Defence Force who since the announcement of the closure of the barracks in Cavan, Mullingar and Clonmel have taken early retirement or are due to retire before the end of March 2012; the number of members at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12116/12]
The number of members of the Permanent Defence Force who, since the announcement of the closure of the Barracks in Cavan, Mullingar and Clonmel have taken early retirement or are due to retire before the end of February 2012, the latest date for which figures are available, is as follows:
|
Barracks |
No of retirees/proposed retirements |
Strength as at 28 February 2012 |
|
Cavan |
26 |
93 |
|
Mullingar |
14 |
136 |
|
Clonmel |
34 |
96 |
The military authorities advise that they do not anticipate that any personnel currently stationed in the three Barracks will retire during March 2012.
It is the Government's intention that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all of the assigned roles to them. It was against this backdrop, and having regard to restricted financial allocations, that the Government decided to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel. This recognises the significant modernisation that has been achieved to date.
In response to this revised strength ceiling of 9,500, there will be a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces encompassing a reduction in the number of Army Brigades from three to two. I have asked the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence to bring forward detailed proposals for my consideration.
Having said that, I recognise that the departure of the number of personnel outlined earlier, over a short period, will require close monitoring, particularly where vacancies arise in critical appointments. In order to address this issue, it is envisaged that limited promotion competitions will take place to provide candidates to fill critical vacancies. In addition, within the agreed 2012 estimates, limited recruitment will be undertaken in 2012. Throughout this process careful monitoring will take place to ensure that any problems arising are managed in the interim period.
188 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12571/12]
There are no commercial semi-State companies under the aegis of the Department of Defence.
189 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the stocking density rate for the disadvantaged area scheme 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11909/12]
The proposed changes to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in Ireland including the proposed alterations to the minimum stocking density requirements are still the subject of discussions between my Department and the EU Commission.
190 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of agri-environment options scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied); when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11910/12]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in respect of land parcels declared which required digitisation. This is being dealt with by my Department at present and once the digitisation process is completed, the application will be processed with a view to making payment in respect of 2010 at the earliest opportunity.
Payments in respect of the 2011 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investments related to approved AEOS actions. During these checks on the capital investment claim a number of queries were identified. My Department has issued a letter to the person named regarding these. Payment will issue at the earliest opportunity once all queries have been resolved and validations successfully completed.
191 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately announce the introduction of a new, properly funded agri-environment option scheme in order that farmers whose REP scheme contracts have expired can continue to improve their farms in an environmentally friendly manner with the support of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11980/12]
I am aware of the fact that farmers have or will finish their REPS contract during 2012 and I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environment Options Scheme on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. This decision will be taken in the context of an assessment of how a new scheme might be funded within the reduced funding and resulting pressures on the Department's Vote in the current year and, in particular, having regard to the expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by the Government.
I will make a decision on this matter shortly.
192 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding his research on the development of a bait based vaccination against TB for badgers and the related pilot project; his views that this research can lead to an end to badger culling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11985/12]
193 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost to the State on an annual basis for each of the past ten years inclusive of the anti TB badger culling programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11986/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.
The position with regard to the vaccination trials is that the intention of my Department is to replace badger culling with vaccination when research demonstrates that this is a practicable proposition. With this in mind, my Department has been funding research in UCD and collaborating with DEFRA in the UK on research into a vaccine to control tuberculosis in badgers. Research to date has demonstrated that oral vaccination of badgers in a captive environmentwith the BCG vaccine generates high levels of protective immunity against challenge with bovine TB. However, it is necessary to assess the impact of the vaccine on the incidence of disease in both badgers and cattle in field conditions. Accordingly, field trials are being undertaken, involving the vaccination by individual oral delivery of several hundred badgers over 3 to 4 years, with continuous monitoring of the population to assess the impact of the vaccine on the incidence of disease in the vaccinated and non-vaccinated control badger populations. The efficient and effective delivery of the vaccine to badgers is an important aspect of the research programme of my Department but no definitive conclusions as to the most appropriate bait or delivery mechanism can be arrived at from the research conducted to date. My Department intends to conduct further research into this issue and will be collaborating very closely with DEFRA on this matter.
If the trials are successful, badger vaccination will be incorporated into the eradication programme. However, it will be some years before the trials are completed and therefore targeted badger removals will continue in the medium term. I am, however, hopeful that the trials will demonstrate that vaccination of badgers can provide an effective alternative to badger culling in the longer-term.
The cost of the culling programme over the past 10 years is set out below (excluding staff costs):
|
Year |
€m |
|
2002 |
€1.79m |
|
2003 |
€1.63m |
|
2004 |
€1.28m |
|
2005 |
€2.10m |
|
2006 |
€2.63m |
|
2007 |
€3.32m |
|
2008 |
€3.64m |
|
2009 |
€3.38m |
|
2010 |
€2.78m |
|
2011 |
€3.04m |
Staff costs relating to personnel involved in the badger culling programme are not maintained separately from overall Department staff costs. However, the costs of staff involved in badger culling in 2011 is estimated at €3m.
The cost of the badger culling programme has to be considered in the context of the savings arising from its implementation. The badger programme has been in place since the mid 1990’s and was significantly enhanced in 2004. The incidence of bovine TB in Ireland has declined significantly since 1998 when approximately 45,000 animals were removed as reactors to just 18,503 reactors in 2011, the lowest level last seen since the start of the programme in the 1950’s. While it not possible to attribute the decline in the incidence of the disease to any single factor, my Department believes that much of the improvement in the disease situation can be attributed to the badger removal policy. In this context, it is interesting to note that it is estimated that the animal prevalence of TB in NI, where there is no badger removal programme, was, on average, approximately 33% higher than in the South during the ten year period 2002 to 2011. On this basis, I am satisfied that the badger removal programme is highly cost effective.
194 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any progress was made in his discussions with the Chinese delegation as regards to increasing exports of Irish food products and or opening of new markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11988/12]
China is a key strategic market for Irish exports of food, seafood and beverages and presents significant opportunities for other exports. Exports of Irish food and beverages to China are estimated in 2011 at €215m, including exports of hides and skins. Exports of food and beverages alone have risen from €135m in 2010 to an estimated €180m in 2011. It is anticipated that further growth in exports to China will continue in 2012. This increase in exports reflects both the efforts of Irish companies and Bord Bia in promoting sales of Irish food and beverages in China and my Department's work in conjunction with diplomatic channels in facilitating market access for individual companies into China. The recent visit of the Chinese Vice President to Ireland and, in particular, the opportunity he had to view an Irish dairy farm at first hand, is an important milestone in that respect.
The process of obtaining approval for the export of food and other products to China is complex and detailed. My Department continues to work closely with the Chinese Authorities and our Embassy in Beijing with regard to progressing the issue of market access for additional products, including beef. Market access for beef was one of the issues raised with Vice President Xi Jinping during his recent visit to Ireland. I will be leading a trade mission to China in April and the issue of trade and furthering our market access objectives will raised with my counterparts.
195 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to person (details supplied). [12054/12]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in respect of land parcels declared which required digitisation. This is being dealt with by my Department at present and once the digitisation process is completed, the application will be processed with a view to making payment in respect of 2010 at the earliest opportunity.
Payments in respect of the 2011 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investments related to approved AEOS actions. These checks have now been completed and following the payment of year 1, the payment in respect of year 2 will be finalised.
196 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will include small-scale farmers in developing countries in his submission to the UN Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition in April 2012; if he has any plans to attend the meeting of the UN Committee on World Food Security in Rome in 2012 when the Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12092/12]
The first discussions on the Global Strategic Framework will be held at the FAO Regional Conferences. The European Regional Conference, which my Department will be attending, will take place in April in Baku, Azerbaijan and will be an opportunity for Ireland to feed into the process and to influence the consensus ERG position to be formulated.
Ireland's submission will be prepared by my Department in consultation with our colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. While our submission has yet to be completed, I can assure you that it will be very supportive of smallholder farmers, particularly women, in developing countries. Our submission will be informed by the 2008 Hunger Task Force Report, which recommended three priority areas for Ireland in its efforts to address global hunger: 1) support to smallholder farmers, particularly women, in Africa; 2) addressing maternal and infant undernutrition, and 3) strengthening international political commitment to addressing Hunger.
Ireland has made steady progress in implementing the Hunger Task Force recommendations. Through our overseas development programme, Irish Aid, we support a comprehensive range of programmes to sustainably improve food and nutrition security of the poorest and most vulnerable. For example, in Malawi, we support smallholder farmers' organisations to improve soil fertility and diversify to more nutritious crops; in Tanzania, we support smallholder farmers' access to better farm inputs such as seeds and fertiliser; and in Lesotho, we support smallholder farmers to develop vegetable gardens to improve household nutrition. At the international level, we work to ensure that global agricultural research is focused on the needs of women smallholder farmers, and that research outputs are readily available to the poorest farmers.
The UN Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition is another opportunity to further Ireland’s work in this area, and I look forward to engaging with it.
A full meeting of the UN Committee on World Food Security takes place every October and is attended by my officials and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. October of this year. A decision on Ministerial attendance will be taken closer to the event.
197 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the outstanding agri-environment options scheme payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12093/12]
The person named has been informed in writing that he was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This process is under way with a view to commencing payments as soon as possible. In the event of any queries arising from these checks my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
198 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011 or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12568/12]
There are currently 4 Commercial State Bodies (listed below) that fall under the aegis of my Department.
Queries regarding the pension funds in these State Bodies should be addressed to the State Bodies themselves:
1. Bord na gCon.
2. Coillte.
3. Horse Racing Ireland.
4. Irish National Stud.
199 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if children born after the 30 June, 2009, still qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2012. [11947/12]
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. About 66,000 children, that is approximately 95% of children in the year before school, are availing of the free pre-school provision at this time.
Children qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September in the relevant year. This means, for example, that children born between 2 February 2008 and 30 June 2009 qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2012 and children born in July and August of 2009 will qualify for the programme in September 2013. There are no exceptions for children who are below the qualifying age.
The objective of the ECCE programme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. To achieve this, services participating in the pre-school year are expected to provide age-appropriate activities and programmes to children within a particular age cohort. For this reason, it is appropriate to set minimum and maximum limits to the age range within which children will qualify.
200 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons currently acting as foster carers here; the number of foster carers who have not been Garda vetted and the number of foster carers who are still waiting for Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11930/12]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) compiles and publishes monthly performance reports which include statistics in relation to children in foster care. Information in relation to the number of foster carers is published on a quarterly basis and the HSE reported that there were 3,769 foster carers, of whom 3,138 were approved by the Foster Care panel under Part III of the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) regulations, 1995, at the end of December 2011. Data for Galway is not included in these figures. It should be noted that there are a number of steps undertaken in the assessment of foster carers, including Garda vetting, prior to formal approval of foster carers. As regards information specifically in relation to Garda vetting, I have asked the HSE to submit the information to me and I will forward to the deputy when it is available.
201 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011 or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12569/12]
There are no commercial semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department.
202 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when he intends to comply with the instruction of the EU Commission to bring the VHI under the regulatory authority of the Central Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12052/12]
The Government has decided, on foot of my recommendations, that the VHI should make an application for authorisation by the Central Bank, subject to further Government decisions to be made relating to capitalisation, once the level of its capital shortfall is clarified. The VHI has been working for some time in preparation for this.
As the Deputy is aware, the European Commission took a case against the State regarding the VHI's derogation from the EU Non-Life Directives which had exempted it from the requirement to be authorised by the Central Bank. The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled against the State on 29 September last. In response to this judgement, the Government agreed to:
Engage with the Commission to address the ruling;
Work with the VHI and the Central Bank on the VHI's application for authorisation, with a decision then to be taken regarding the question of capitalisation;
Examine the legal and legislative requirements to allow for the incorporation of the VHI as a limited company, in order to address the concerns of the EU Commissioner for Competition that the VHI may benefit from an unlimited State guarantee;
Examine other options for the future status of the VHI.
The Government's plans and a realistic timetable were outlined to the European Commission on 9 December last. Resolution of the issues will involve a number of steps. The timescale for some of these steps is outside of the State's control and will depend on the time it takes for decisions to be made by the European Commission itself regarding State Aid issues, as well as by the Central Bank. The Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2008 provided for the VHI to acquire sufficient funding in terms of its capital reserves to enable it to make an application to the Financial Regulator for authorisation. The date by which the VHI must accrue the necessary reserves is set at 31 December 2013. Should the State decide to provide the funding requirements for authorisation, approval of the European Commission under State Aid rules would be required.
The Commission responded this week by way of a Letter of Formal Notice, a procedural notification that the Commission is obliged to issue within six months of a judgement. The letter had been expected and the Department has been in regular contact with the Commission in relation to the case.
The Department will continue to work with the Commission to progress a range of issues relating to the legal status of the VHI. It is making good progress in relation to these and will press ahead with them as planned.
I will now consider the terms of the Formal Notice in the normal way and respond to the Commission within the two month period specified by the Commission.
203 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for renewal of medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if this application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11916/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
204 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11917/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
205 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive Dublin north east is carrying out a full and transparent analysis of the actual and full unit cost of providing public beds in all community nursing units under its control in its administrative area; when this analysis will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11927/12]
211 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he and the Health Service Executive will establish and publish the full and actual cost of providing each public bed in each public community nursing unit in the Dublin-north east HSE region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11946/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 211 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
206 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will list any new services developed at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11940/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
207 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the current membership of the Dublin north east local drugs task force; the date each member was appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11941/12]
Details of the membership of Dublin North East LDTF are set out in the table below:
|
Name |
Sector |
Year Appointed |
|
Gerry McMahon |
Chair |
2008 |
|
Marie O’Sullivan |
Statutory |
2012 |
|
Aidan Fitzsimons |
Statutory |
2010 |
|
Dermot Reynolds |
Statutory |
Pre 2005 |
|
Sgt Colm Healy |
Statutory |
2009 |
|
Marian Vickers |
Statutory |
Pre 2005 |
|
Judith Leech |
Statutory |
Pre 2005 |
|
Michael O’Sullivan |
Statutory |
2009 |
|
Paul Hayes |
Statutory |
2010 |
|
Stephen Reid |
Community |
Pre 2005 |
|
Florrie Cunningham |
Community |
Pre 2005 |
|
Angela McLoughlan |
Community |
Pre 2005 |
|
Brian Doyle |
Community |
Pre 2005 |
|
Marie Hanlon |
Community |
Pre 2005 |
|
Donna Stanley |
Community |
2010 |
|
Arthur O’Donnell |
Community |
2009 |
|
John Curry |
Community |
Pre 2005 |
|
Gavin Carpenter |
Voluntary |
2009 |
|
Marian McKenna |
Voluntary |
2009 |
|
Larry O’Toole |
Public Representative |
Pre 2005 |
|
Cian O’Callaghan |
Public Representative |
2010 |
|
Leona Cronin |
Other |
2012 |
|
Derek Kelly |
Other |
2005 |
208 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the mileage rates paid to Health Service Executive employees using their own personal vehicle for work related transport; the rates paid to staff in the Dublin north east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11942/12]
The current rates of motor mileage allowance payable to Health Service Executive employees (as per HSE HR Circular 008/2009) in respect of the use of own vehicles for work related transport are set out in the tables below:
|
Official Motor Travel in a calendar year |
Engine Capacity up to 1,200 cc |
Engine Capacity 1,201 cc to 1,500 cc |
Engine Capacity 1,501 cc and over |
|
0 — 4,000 miles |
64.54 cent |
76.94 cent |
97.95 cent |
|
4,001 miles and over |
34.91 cent |
39.14 cent |
47.36 cent |
|
Official Motor Travel in a calendar year |
Engine Capacity up to 1,200 cc |
Engine Capacity 1,201 cc to 1,500 cc |
Engine Capacity 1,501 cc and over |
|
0 — 6,437 km |
40.11 cent |
47.82 cent |
60.88 cent |
|
6,437 km and over |
21.70 cent |
24.33 cent |
29.43 cent |
|
Official Motor Travel in a calendar year |
Engine Capacity up to 150 cc |
Engine Capacity 151 cc to 250 cc |
Engine Capacity 251 cc to 600 cc |
Engine Capacity 601 cc plus |
|
0 — 4,000 miles |
23.29 cent |
32.34 cent |
38.16 cent |
46.01 cent |
|
4,001 miles and over |
15.07 cent |
21.42 cent |
24.61 cent |
28.31 cent |
|
Official Motor Travel in a calendar year |
Engine Capacity up to 150 cc |
Engine Capacity 151 cc to 250 cc |
Engine Capacity 251 cc to 600 cc |
Engine Capacity 601 cc plus |
|
0 — 6,437 km |
14.48 cent |
20.10 cent |
23.72 cent |
28.59 cent |
|
6,437 km and over |
9.37 cent |
13.31 cent |
15.29 cent |
17.60 cent |
The same rates apply across each of the HSE regions.
Line managers in the HSE are required to ensure that only essential travel is undertaken and that the number of staff travelling on any official journey is kept to the absolute minimum.
209 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Health Service Executive to write to each medical card holder and GP-only card holder reminding card holders that their cards are due for renewal; if he will ensure that such letters are sent out a minimum of 30 days before the card is due to expire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11943/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
210 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of new physiotherapist, social worker, occupational therapist and speech and language therapist posts that have been created over the past 12 months in the Dublin north east region; the hospital in which each post is located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11944/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
212 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the drugs payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [11953/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
213 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11960/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
214 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the recent cut of 3.7% in funding for the personal assistance service; the way this will impact on those with disabilities and leaders; if he will ensure that best practice is maintained and the Health Information Quality Authority guidelines followed to ensure that every PA has adequate training in dealing with leaders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11965/12]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides arange of assisted living services including Personal Assistant services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
In 2011, a total of 1.68 million personal assistant/home support hours were provided to 11,571 persons with physical and/or sensory disability. Although the funding allocated to disability services has been cut by 3.7%, the HSE aims to maintain this level of service in 2012. Service efficiencies will be achieved through a process of negotiation with service providers around the unit cost of providing the service rather than reducing the number of hours or the pay of personal assistants.
As the Deputy's question regarding best practice, training and standards relates to service matters, I have arranged for that part of the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
215 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding changes to the rate paid in respect of the rehabilitative training bonus to participants in the national learning network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11966/12]
The decision to reduce the top up payment made to people with a disability attending rehabilitative training was implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE) without informing the Department of Health. The reduction from €31.80 per week to €20 per week, from the 1st January 2012, was communicated to the HSE Local Managers in advance of the Minister approving the National Service Plan for 2012.
I acknowledge that this proposed measure sought to bring consistency to the top up bonus paid to people attending the HSE rehabilitative training scheme with similar payments paid in other State training schemes.
Any reduction in payments to individuals requires adequate advance notice to enable the recipients and indeed, service providers, to take the reduction into account in planning their support needs and other arrangements.
It should also be noted that people with a disability attending Rehabilitative Training are usually in receipt of a State payment such as the Disability Allowance.
Accordingly, the HSE agreed to my request to review its decision, and it has recently submitted a Report on the matter which is under consideration in my Department.
216 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [11977/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
217 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [11978/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
218 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be provided to enable the Health Service Executive, HSE, to carry out a basic level of service in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11981/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
219 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health when an application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 and if he will expedite the matter. [11989/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
220 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health If he will give serious consideration to instructing the Health Service Executive to make available the nursing home accommodation requested as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11996/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
221 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to increase the number of rehabilitation medical consultants; his views on the fact that in 2011, 38% of persons with neurological conditions waited longer then six months to be diagnosed and 42% waited more then six months for a service to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11997/12]
The report entitled “National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015” was jointly commissioned by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and published in December 2011. The report sets out a clear policy with a recommended service framework that, when implemented, will ensure that the services are delivered in the most appropriate, most effective and most efficient way.
The report recognises that given the current economic climate, the focus in the short to medium term has to be on reconfiguration of services, structures and resources and the enhancement of the skills and competencies required to meet the changing context.
The HSE is committed to developing an implementation plan and an implementation structure for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services, in close collaboration with the HSE Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme.
In relation to the more detailed information requested by the Deputy I have forwarded the question to the HSE who will respond directly to you.
222 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card application was refused but a general practitioner card was issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork and their spouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12003/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
223 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the changes he has made or proposes to make in the configuration of his special advisers; the names, roles and functions of his special advisers; the number that are part-time and full-time; their remuneration and their previous roles, if any, within his Department and or the Health Service Executive or Health Boards and any pension payments they receive in that capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12007/12]
Since taking up office I have appointed two advisers, Mr Mark Costigan as Press Adviser and Mr Sean Faughnan as Special Adviser, both on the Principal Officer (Standard) salary level. Mr. Faughnan is paid at the minimum of the Principal Officer (Standard) scale, currently €80,051 and separate sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the appointment of Mr. Costigan on the fifth point of that scale, €92,672. Before his appointment Mr Costigan was the Deputy Government Press Secretary from September 2005 until the last general election. Prior to that he was the political editor of Today FM. Mr. Faughnan worked as a financial analyst for a number of years in London. More recently he was an advisor to the present Taoiseach while in opposition.
Mr. Faughnan has indicated to me his intention to reduce his work commitment from full time to one-third time. It is my intention to appoint Ms Maureen Windle, ex-Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Area Health Board on a two-thirds time basis, and one salary will accordingly be divided between the two individuals pro-rata in line with the time worked. Mr. Faughnan and Ms Windle will share the advisory role on the strategic health reform aspects of the Programme for Government as well as having responsibility for other tasks, including parliamentary issues.
Mr. Costigan deals with a wide range of press enquiries from both the national and local media and from specialised health publications and works closely with the Department across a broad range of communications activities..
Ms Windle is in receipt of a Public Service pension from her previous employment. Upon taking up appointment as my Adviser, she will be subject to standard public service pension abatement rules.
Mr. Faughnan has not had a previous role in this Department, the Health Service Executive or a Health Board.
While Mr. Costigan was answerable to former Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney, his role was as Deputy Government Press Secretary, based in Government Buildings. He has not had a previous role in the Health Service Executive or a Health Board.
224 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a school place in respect of a person (details supplied). [12017/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
225 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason no discharges are being made from hospitals in County Mayo to nursing homes. [12018/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
226 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of admissions that have been carried out under the fair deal private nursing home scheme in County Mayo. [12019/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
227 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the nature of the bed management problem at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, which has caused a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13, to be sent home several times from the hospital due to cancellation of the operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12026/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
228 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the total bed capacity of a nursing unit for the elderly (details supplied) in County Monaghan; the number of beds for long-term care; the number of beds for respite care; the number of beds in use at present for long-term care; the number of beds in use at present for respite care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12046/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
229 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided for Cavan General Hospital in respect of 2012; the level of funding provided in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12047/12]
230 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided for Monaghan General Hospital in respect of 2012; the level of funding provided in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12048/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
231 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12063/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
232 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12064/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
233 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be issued immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny [12071/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
234 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early assessment and operation will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite the matter [12072/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
235 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for funding by an advocacy group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12082/12]
My Department has not received an application for funding from the organisation in question. However, my Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures, along with the application form are set out on the Department's website —www.doh.ie. I have also asked the HSE to reply to you directly in respect of any funding it may have made to the organisation.
236 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be taken on an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12087/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
237 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12089/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
238 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the approximate deficit on the pension funds at the end of 2011 or most recent available date of each of the commercial semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12574/12]
The VHI have informed my Department that as at the 31 December 2011; on a minimum funding standard basis, the scheme does not have a deficit. On a Financial Reporting Standard FRS 17 basis, the pension deficit is €25.5 million, (net of deferred tax asset).
239 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the public service obligation contracts which were awarded to Bus Éireann for five years in 2009 without going to public tender, will go out to public tender when they come up for renewal in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11921/12]
Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus services can be procured by the National Transport Authority (NTA) through direct award contracts and any other new subvented services must be procured by way of open tendering.
At the expiry of the current 5 year direct award contract for the provision of PSO services with Bus Éireann the NTA have discretion to renew, modify or terminate the direct award provision of bus services following a consultation process with interested parties under which the NTA is obliged to justify its approach.
In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision, I will be consulting with my Ministerial colleagues soon on the future options for procurement of PSO bus services.
240 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve bus routes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11937/12]
The provision of bus services is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
241 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sporting event (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12023/12]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. As well as bringing spectators to our shores, the hosting of sports events such as the Ryder Cup, the Tall Ships Race, Volvo Ocean Race or the Solheim Cup can provide a great showcase for Ireland. Fáilte Ireland continues to support the holding of sports and other events that can boost tourism and in 2012 the Volvo Ocean Race will return to Ireland with its finale in Galway and the Navy-Notre Dame College Football game and the Tall Ships Race will take place in Dublin.
The normal procedure in regard to the hosting of an international sporting event is that the Irish affiliate of the relevant governing body will bid to host the event in Ireland. Where appropriate, the State Tourism agencies will provide advice and assistance to the sporting body which is seeking to secure an international event. In certain cases it may also be appropriate for Fáilte Ireland to provide financial support towards the event, in return for a contractually-agreed package of tourism and publicity benefits. I am supportive of the efforts of the State Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport to attract suitable international events, subject, of course, to overall Government financial constraints and an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any particular project.
242 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with Meath County Council regarding the possibility of events being held in County Meath during the Gathering next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12045/12]
In relation to the organising of The Gathering 2013, Fáilte Ireland has established a Project Board to oversee its planning and delivery. Staff assigned to work on The Gathering are currently considering how to engage appropriately with those groups, in the public, private and voluntary and community sectors who plan to hold Gathering 2013 events. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
