Written Answers Nos. 660-677
660. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new jobs created by her Department as a result of the jobs initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37283/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra661. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new jobs created by her Department as a result of the action plan on jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37299/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra662. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new jobs created by her Department as a result of budget 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37315/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 660 to 662, inclusive, together.
The Action Plan for Jobs, launched on 13 February 2012, is a matter for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It is important to note that the Action Plan for Jobs is not a policy working in isolation from other actions. The Government’s statement on Labour Market Activation, Pathways to Work, sets out our strategy to ensure that that as many new job opportunities as possible are filled by those on the Live Register.
663. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on taxis by her Department since February 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37331/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 February 2011 a total of €54,137 was spent on taxis by my Department. Taxis are used mainly by staff who travel as part of their official duties in instances where public transport is not available or practical at the time of travel. Taxis are also used by the Department’s Information Services operations area for secure delivery and retrieval of backup tapes to its computer data centres, for transport of equipment mainly in the Dublin area and to provide transport to staff out of hours, as the Department’s main computer data centre operates and is staffed 24 hours a day.
664. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of press officers in her Department; the number of press officers in each agency under her auspices; the total cost of press officers in her Department and in agencies under her auspices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37347/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two Press Officers in my Department, both of whom are Higher Executive Officers. The standard salary scale for the grade is €43,816 to €55,415. In addition to salary, overtime amounting to €27,160 has been incurred by the Press Officers in the past 12 months. The statutory agencies that operate under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board and the Citizens Information Board. The Office of the Pensions Ombudsman also comes under the remit of my Department. None of these organisations have dedicated Press Officers.
665. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of board appointees she has nominated since she came to office; the names, salaries and expenses of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37363/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) comes under the remit of the Department.
Social Welfare Tribunal
The Social Welfare Tribunal consists of a Chairman and four ordinary members, two on the nomination of Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two nominated by Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC). There has been one appointment to the Tribunal since I came into office. On the nomination of ICTU, Ms Chris Rowland, was appointed by me from 24 October 2011. No remuneration is paid to the members of the Tribunal. Members can claim expenses for attending both hearings and meetings, as set out below. They are also entitled to the standard travel and subsistence allowances if hearings/meetings involve travel.
|
Chairman |
€ |
|
Hearing (per sitting day) |
488.11 |
|
Meetings |
73.44 |
|
Members |
- |
|
Hearing (per sitting day) |
136.71 |
|
Meetings |
68.36 |
Referrals to the tribunal are very infrequent and no such referrals have occurred for almost two years. For that reason, there was no expenditure in relation to the Social Welfare Tribunal in 2011 and there has been no expenditure in 2012 to date.
Citizens Information Board
I have made two appointments to the Citizens Information Board since coming into office. Mr.Eugene McErlean was appointed with effect from 7 September 2011 and is entitled to an annual fee of €5,985. On 1 November 2011, I appointed Ms. Fiona Ward but as she is the Department’s representative on the board she is not entitled to any fee. Neither of these appointees have claimed expenses since being appointed to the Board.
Pensions Board
I have made no appointments to the Pensions Board since I came into office.
666. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for her Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37379/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPhotography services are used, in conjunction with press releases and conferences, to communicate the Department’s initiatives, schemes and services to customers and to the regional and national media. Up to 7 September 2012, the Department has paid for use of photography services on seven occasions since March 2011, as set out in the table. The total cost was less than €3,100.
The procurement of these photography services was carried out in accordance with national and EU procurement procedures. Since March 2012, the Department has been procuring photography services under the Framework Agreement established by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in February 2012. Full details of the Framework are available online via the National Procurement Services contract list at www.procurement.ie.
|
Date |
Company |
Event |
Cost € |
|
29th July 2011 |
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of JobBridge – the National Internship Scheme |
1,035.16 |
|
7th Nov 2011 |
Ark Photography |
Mortgage Arrears Seminar |
254.10 |
|
9th Nov 2011 |
Ark Photography |
Social Inclusion Forum |
254.10 |
|
21st Nov 2011 |
Ark Photography |
2 Social Inclusion Projects |
326.70 |
|
13th Feb 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of the Partial Capacity Scheme |
338.25 |
|
23rd Feb 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of Pathways to Work |
536.28 |
|
27th Apr 2012 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
Opening of a new Community Campus |
280.44 |
|
TOTAL |
3,025.03 |
667. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the final report on her consultation on changes to the sick pay system; when she expects to bring proposals to Cabinet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37402/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra680. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full cost-impact analysis on small business will be undertaken on her proposals to force employers to cover the cost of up to four weeks sick pay; if her attention has been drawn to the results of a recent Small Firms Association survey in relation to the impact that this proposal would have on small firms; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this proposal will add to the cost of employment and will result in job losses and goes against the Government's action plan for job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37637/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra748. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38192/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 667, 680 and 748 together.
There are a number of compelling reasons why the Government is considering the introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay at this time – firstly, as a measure to help in addressing the growing deficit in the social Insurance Fund; secondly, as a measure to limit progression from short-term illness to long-term illness or disability; and thirdly, to bring Ireland into line with practices in other countries in this area.
However, I am acutely conscious of the pressures facing employers in the current economic climate, and in particular, the pressures facing smaller and medium-sized enterprises, and I am aware of the opinions expressed by small firms in the recent survey conducted by the Small Firms Association (SFA) regarding the impact of the introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay. The report of the seminar which I hosted in February 2012 has been published and the Department has also met separately with key stakeholders.
I can assure the House that the range of complex issues that need to be addressed before any decision could be taken by Government on the possible introduction of such a scheme – the extent of coverage; the rate of payment; possible compensation mechanisms for employers where appropriate and how the scheme would be enforced and policed – will be discussed in the course of the wider process associated with the preparation of Budget 2013, and the views of stakeholder groups, such as the SFA, will be taken into account in that process.
668. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail, in tabular form, the total cost of providing entertainment for her Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37451/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra669. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on food and drink by her Department; if she will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37467/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together.
In the period 1 March 2011 to 7 September 2012 a total of €119,271 was spent on food and drink by my Department as outlined in the following table.
|
Type of Expense |
Amount (€) |
|
Beverages (Official Entertainment) |
585 |
|
Lunches (Official Entertainment) |
1,409 |
|
Refreshments/lunches provided at training courses |
16,952 |
|
Catering Services/Supplies |
99,379 |
|
Beverages (Customer Service Conference Expenses) |
946 |
|
Total: |
119,271 |
Beverages and lunches (Official entertainment) includes lunches and refreshments provided at various functions hosted by the Minister and other departmental officials. The policy for entertainment allowances is governed by the Department of Finance circular 25/2000. Refreshments/lunches provided at training courses mainly relate to the purchase of refreshments and catering supplies for the provision of tea, coffee, biscuits, etc. by the Department’s Staff Development Units for training courses. Lunches were also provided at a small number of training courses. Catering Services/Supplies refers to tea, coffee and biscuits provided at various departmental meetings. Beverages (Customer Service Conference Expenses) relates to refreshments provided at Customer Focus/Services Group meetings.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Social Protection employs more staff than any other Department. There were 7,011 people employed in the Department on 31 July 2012. The Department is also a very diverse organisation both in terms of the wide range of services it provides and in terms of the large number of locations at which it provides services. It operates out of almost 1,000 locations nationally, including 12 headquarters in Dublin and 10 decentralised locations outside Dublin, 66 local offices and it provides services at some 897 other locations throughout the State. This large scale and diversity necessitates a significant commitment to meetings, training and other interactions between staff and is also reflected in the incidental expenses associated with such interactions. For example, the food costs set out above in relation to training were incurred in the context of providing 7,513 training days from 1 March 2011 to 7 September 2012. This is an average of €2.26 per training day.
670. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on hair and make-up by her Department since she came to office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37483/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no expenses incurred by my Department in respect of hair and make-up since I came to office.
671. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in her Department; the name of the Minister of Minister of State to whom he or she reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser at the time he or she was appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if it was granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37499/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra676. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the political activities of each special adviser, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in her Department; if any of them were members of a political party; if so the parties to which they belonged; if any of them are or have been elected local authority members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37580/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra677. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on drivers and ministerial transport since February 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37596/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra892. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the names of special advisers for whom salary increases have been requested; the amount requested; the details of those granted increases and the amount by which they were increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40025/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 671, 676, 677 and 892 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the names and current salaries of my Special Advisors is set out in the tabular statement. There is no Minister of State attached to my Department.
|
TITLE |
NAME |
ANNUAL SALARY |
|
Press Advisor |
Kathleen Barrington |
€ 89,898 |
|
Special Advisor |
Edward Brophy |
€127,796 |
The applicable pay scale grade for Special Advisers is the Principal Officer (standard) scale: €80,051 to €92,672.
Kathleen Barrington commenced duty on 18 July 2011, and was initially on a salary of €80,051 i.e. the first point of the Principal Officer pay scale. However, on the basis of her experience and qualifications, I sought sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 19 October 2011 to place her on a salary on par with her previous remuneration and received sanction to place her on the 3rd point of the scale i.e. €86,604 per annum. Ms. Barrington progressed to the next point of the scale i.e. €89,898 with effect from 18 July 2012.
As Edward Brophy was previously employed in the private sector on a salary package that was more than twice the highest point of the Principal Officer (standard) scale, I sought sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for remuneration in excess of the applicable pay scale grade. A single point salary of €127,796 was sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform effective from 29 July 2011. This represents a reduction of over one third in my Special Adviser’s previous salary in the private sector.
The restrictions under the terms of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour on civil servants engaging in political activity do not apply to Special Advisers and they can engage in political activity or join political parties if they wish. These are not matters for which my Special Advisers are accountable to me under their contracts of employment.
The Government decided in March 2011 to confine the use of state cars from 1 May 2011. Accordingly, I now use my own car for official business. The travel /mileage rates payable depend on the car engine size and also incorporate a number of expense elements associated with the cost of running a car. These cost elements include insurance, full membership of AA/RAC, road tax and licence. The engine size of my car is 1400cc and the rate applicable is 46.25 cent per kilometre. The mileage costs, which I have claimed from 01 May 2011 to 30 June 2012 amount to €10,248.29.
I have two civilian drivers. The total cost of employing two drivers from May 2011 to date is €72,422.13. This amount includes travel and subsistence allowances, which are in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations for necessary absences on official duties from home and headquarters.
672. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide detail in tabular form of the names of all external public relations and consultancy persons and organisations used by her Department for the years 2011 and 2010; the amount paid to each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37515/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra674. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail in tabular form the amount paid on external public relations and communications consultants since February 2011; the reason for the payment; the name of each organisation used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37548/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra675. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail in tabular form the amount paid to consultants since February 2011; the name of each organisation used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37564/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra678. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by her Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, details of the consultants employed and costs of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37628/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 672, 674, 675 and 678 together.
The Department has a major programme of business, organisational and technological change underway to enable it to modernise the services which it provides to customers. The Department engages consultants for work which comes within the definition of ‘consultancy’ set out in Department of Finance guidelines - where a person or organisation provides intellectual or knowledge based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice) through delivering reports, studies, assessments, recommendations, proposals, etc. that contribute to decision making or policy making.
The Department’s press office deals with all media queries and public relations matters. No money has been spent by my Department on public relations consultancy during the period in question.
I do not draw down any Ministerial Allowances.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables with expenditure incurred for the years 2010, 2011 and up to 31st August 2012. I am satisfied that the procurement of consultancy services, including commissioning of reports, is essential to support the Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.
YEAR: 2010
|
Contractor |
Purpose |
€ |
|
ESRI |
SWITCH Model – Support for analysis of Budget proposals |
150,000 |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
SDM - Technical Development Advice |
137,255 |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
SDM - Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise |
105,289 |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Information Systems Audit Consultancy |
67,175 |
|
ESRI |
Activation: customer Profiling & Case Management (APCM) |
36,602 |
|
P.A Consulting Group |
ePayments RFI Evaluation |
34,058 |
|
Ernst & Young |
Security Partner to provide ongoing Information Security Support |
29,889 |
|
ESRI |
National Employment Action Plan Evaluation |
25,924 |
|
Polaris Human Resources |
Provision of HR services |
17,036 |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Provision of Confidential Forensic Investigation Services |
8,671 |
|
Petrus Consulting |
VFM Review of the Disability Allowance Scheme 2010 |
2,344 |
|
Camille Loftus |
Feasibility Study on Introduction of Single Social Assistance Payment for People of Working Age |
1,800 |
YEAR: 2011
|
Contractor |
Purpose |
€ |
|
Accenture |
Business Process Improvement |
186,563 |
|
ESRI |
SWITCH Model – Support for analysis of Budget proposals |
150,000 |
|
P.A Consulting Group |
Payments Strategy |
111,142 |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
SDM - Technical Development Advice |
135,495 |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
SDM - Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise |
101,253 |
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Review of Pension Charges |
36,300 |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Information Systems (IS) Internal Audit Services |
14,792 |
|
SIRA Consultancy |
Administrative Burden Review |
14,000 |
|
Mel Cousins & Associates |
Legal Research on Insurability issues & access to Legal Resources |
7,744 |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Confidential Forensic Investigation Services |
7,109 |
|
Patrick Oliver Ryan |
Gender Recognition Advisor Group Report |
7,000 |
|
Milliman |
Report on Funding Standard for Defined Benefit pension schemes |
6,050 |
|
John Grenham |
Report on General Register Office |
3,557 |
|
Mel Cousins & Associates |
Preparation & delivery of paper on Habitual Residence Clause |
2,420 |
YEAR: 2011
Social Inclusion Division Consultancy *
|
Contractor |
Purpose |
€ |
|
Irish Research Council for the Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS) |
Social Inclusion Research Innovation Awards |
50,000 |
|
ESRI |
Analysis & Measurement of Deprivation & Poverty |
48,001 |
|
Trinity College |
Poverty Research Initiative Awards |
9,788 |
|
UCD |
Poverty Research Initiative Awards |
6,650 |
|
NUI Maynooth |
Poverty Research Initiative Awards |
6,500 |
|
NUI Galway |
Poverty Research Initiative Awards |
5,000 |
|
Crowleys DFK |
Audit of Financial Statement for EU Year 2010 |
4,816 |
|
Jane Pillinger |
Consultation and Development of a Code of Practice guide |
2,000 |
|
Eleanor Ashe |
Proof Reading |
1,750 |
|
Aiden Lloyd |
Rapporteur/Report Writer for SIF |
1,500 |
|
Dr Mary Mulcahy |
Editing |
1,422 |
|
Maureen Bassett |
Evaluation and Reporting of EU Year 2010 |
1,032 |
|
Kathy Walsh |
Evaluation and Reporting of EU Year 2010 |
726 |
* Social Inclusion Division was the responsibility of the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs prior to 1st May 2011.
YEAR: 2012 (up to 31 August)
|
Contractor |
Purpose |
€ |
|
OECD |
OECD Review of Long Term Pension Policy |
130,000 |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
SDM - Technical Development Advice |
100,875 |
|
Accenture |
FÁS ICT Applications Systems Review |
44,772 |
|
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
SDM - Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise |
35,258 |
|
ESRI |
Analysis & measurement of Deprivation & Poverty |
33,494 |
|
Creative Inc |
Design Work for National Employment & Entitlements Service (NEES) |
24,777 |
|
Deloitte & Touché |
IS Internal Audit Services |
18,714 |
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Review of Pension Charges |
12,300 |
|
Indecon |
Evaluation of the JobBridge National Internship Scheme |
11,911 |
|
Baker, Tilly, Ryan & Glennon |
Provision of HR Services |
11,147 |
|
Round Tower Mediation & Training |
Provision of HR Services |
8,038 |
|
Ernst & Young |
Security Partner to provide ongoing Information Security Support |
7,623 |
|
Carr Communications |
Media Training Programme |
6,300 |
|
Compass Point |
Developing architecture for NEES |
4,600 |
|
Digital Skills Academy |
Pathways to Work – Ancillary Services |
2,665 |
|
Daniel Finn |
Pathways to Work – Consultation |
650 |
|
Eleanor Ashe |
Proof Reading –Technical Poverty and Child Deprivation reports |
600 |
|
Dr. Mark Tomlinson |
Peer Review Understanding Child Deprivation in Ireland |
500 |
673. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the gross annual salary costs for her private and constituency offices at present; the same figures for this time last year; and the same figures for any Ministers of State in her Department; if she will make a statement on the matter. [37532/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the current gross annual salary costs in respect of my private and constituency offices in the Department and corresponding details for September 2011 are set out in the following table. There is no Minister of State attached to the Department.
|
September 2012 |
Number of Staff |
Gross Annual Salary € |
|
Private Office |
7 |
451,862 |
|
Constituency Office |
4 |
151,720 |
|
Total |
11 |
603,582 |
|
September 2011 |
Number of Staff |
Gross Annual Salary € |
|
Private Office |
7 |
440,705 |
|
Constituency Office |
4 |
171,462 |
|
Total |
11 |
612,167 |
