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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 13 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 143-164

Employment Support Services

Ceisteanna (143)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

143. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will develop a clear strategy to increase awareness of the employment supports available to persons with disabilities; and her plans for further steps regarding same. [49850/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has a primary role in delivering a wide range of disability related supports, in relation to both income-support schemes and employment services for people with disabilities. These services were provided previously by FÁS and are now delivered through the Department under a new national identity - “EmployAbility Service – which is aimed at supporting people with disabilities to avail of employment opportunities. The supports available include for employers workplace equipment adaptation grants and wage subsidies; and for employees with a disability on site job coaches and mentors. As responsibility for these supports now lies with the Department, a review of how best to ensure the effective integration of these supports into the broader suite of measures provided, will be undertaken and the issue of how to increase awareness of employment supports available to people with disabilities will form part of that review.

Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 118.
Question No. 145 answered with Question No. 127.
Questions No. 146 and 147 answered with Question No. 117.

Disability Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (148)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

148. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider making a liaison or support person available to those who need assistance making applications and appeals with respect to disability-related payments as recommended by Inclusion Ireland. [49845/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is the policy of my Department to standardise and simplify application forms. Plain English principles are applied to ensure that they are available in a simple, clear, easy to read format. My Department operates a network of some 125 social welfare local and branch offices throughout the country. Each local office has dedicated information officers providing information on all the Department’s schemes and services and who are available to assist with the completion of application forms where required.

The nationwide network of over 200 Citizens Information Centres also offers a drop-in service where callers can meet information providers face-to-face. Staff in these centres offer information, advice and advocacy to individuals on a wide range of public and social services, including the Social Welfare Appeals process. In addition the National Advocacy Service, which was established under the Citizens Information Board in January 2011, provides an independent, confidential and free, representative advocacy service to vulnerable people with disabilities who cannot self-advocate, while supporting others to use mainstream services. The aim of the National Advisory Service is to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard and their rights safeguarded.

I am satisfied that the assistance and support available to customers, through my Department’s offices, through the Citizens Information Centres and the National Advocacy Service enables them to access my Departments schemes and services, including disability related payments, in a timely and effective manner that best meets their needs.

Question No. 149 answered with Question No. 136.
Question No. 150 answered with Question No. 127.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (151)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

151. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will commence a review of income supports for family carers as recommended by the Carer's Association. [49833/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In the recently published National Carers’ Strategy my Department committed to recognising the needs of carers by the provision of income supports. My Department currently provides a range of supports for family carers including carer’s allowance, carer’s benefit and the annual respite care grant, as well as secondary benefits such as free travel and household benefits. There are almost 52,000 people in receipt of carer’s allowance from my Department at an annual cost of over €500 million. Of these, over 22,000 are getting half-rate carer’s allowance in addition to another social welfare payment at an annual cost of some €90 million. There are over 1,600 people in receipt of carer’s benefit with an allocation of €23 million in 2012.

In Budget 2012, the basic rate of all income supports for carers was maintained. The means test for carer’s allowance is one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system. The income disregard is €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. A couple with two children can earn up to €35,400 and qualify for the maximum rate of carer’s allowance, as well as the household benefits package and free travel while a couple earning €59,300 can still qualify for the minimum rate of carer’s allowance and additional benefits. Carer supports were reviewed as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and all of my Department’s schemes are kept under review as part of the budgetary process. I have no plans to initiate a separate review of carer income supports.

Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 117.

Departmental Functions

Ceisteanna (153)

Kevin Humphreys

Ceist:

153. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced within her Department due to the failure to transfer files for appeals quickly when decisions in the negative for entitlements to payments are appealed by a citizen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49989/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Significant resources and effort have been put into reducing backlogs and improving appeals processing times for appellants, including:

The assignment of 15 additional Appeals Officers (AO).

Retaining retired experienced AOs for 18 months ending December 2011.

Improving business processes and implementing a new operating model in SWAO.

Programme of process redesign and system modernisation in scheme areas.

I think it is worth repeating the scale of the increases in social welfare appeals over the last three years. Up to 2009, the average number of appeals received was 15,000 per annum. In 2011 it rose to 32,000. In the same period the number of decisions finalised increased from an average 13,500 to 34,027.

Currently the details of delays in the transfer of files for Appeals are outlined in the table:

Table 1 - Files Awaiting Submission to SWAO as at 5th November 2012

Scheme

Files Awaiting Submission to Appeals

invalidity pension

3,688

jobseekers schemes

1,423

carers

1,131

SWA

892

Other schemes

794

domiciliary care allowance

747

disability allowance

398

child benefit

214

illness benefit

96

The Department continues to examine what further improvements must be made to reduce processing times. When an appeal is received, it is acknowledged, the Department makes a submission to the SWAO on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant. Part of this process is a review by the Department of the initial decision in light of new evidences or information submitted as part of the appeal. For example, in the case of schemes which include medical criteria, the time taken by the Department will almost always include a review by a different medical assessor to the one who initially examined the case. In cases where a person’s means are the issue, a further visit by a Social Welfare Inspector may be required. All of this adds time to the process.

In effect the Department allows multiple reviews and submissions of fresh evidence to ensure the applicant gets every opportunity to make their case. A number of jurisdictions do not do this and inevitably restrict the opportunities of the applicant. Nonetheless, there is no doubt further improvement is needed and there are plans in place to do so. In relation to the SWAO itself, the Chief Appeals Officer expects to finalise 6,000 more claims in 2013 than will be finalised this year. This will be achieved through the additional capacity generated as the newer Appeals Officers become experienced. As things stand, with turnover of staff and additional new recruits, 25 Appeals Officers have less than 18 months experience.

There is a major programme of process redesign and modernisation currently underway in relation to many scheme areas which will reduce scheme backlogs and will also reduce the time taken for the Department to respond to requests from the SWAO for submissions in relation to appeals. It is also planned to improve the capacity of the Medical Review and Assessment Service through the recruitment of additional Medical Assessors in 2013. All of these measures taken together will reduce the waiting times for appellants.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (154)

Kevin Humphreys

Ceist:

154. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing delays of over six months in the processing of disability, invalidity and carer's allowance applications and the difficulties it is causing for members of the public who have to live with the uncertainty of the status of their entitlements for up to a year in some cases; the action being taken to address the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49990/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There has been a significant increase in the number of new claims received in all these three schemes over the past 3-4 years. A major service delivery modernisation project has been undertaken to improve the efficiency of administration of the three scheme areas in question and to help to deal with the increased volumes. This involves the deployment of information technology solutions and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for invalidity pension (IP) and carer’s allowance (CA) is now completed and will be completed for disability allowance (DA) by the end of this month. In tandem with the full implementation of the new system, comprehensive business process improvement exercises were recently completed in both IP and CA areas, the focus of which is to optimise performance and provide improved customer service. New organisational structures were introduced and additional temporary staff were allocated to IP and CA areas to support these initiatives.

I am pleased to say that the number of IP claims awaiting decision has decreased from 7,267 at the end of May 2012 to 4,560 at the end of October 2012 and continues to decrease. The new process and structures were implemented in CA on 3 September 2012. The number of claims awaiting decision there at the end of September was 10,322 and has reduced to 9,517 at the end of October 2012. Furthermore, an additional 10 temporary staff are being assigned to expedite backlog claim clearance in CA. It will take a number of months before the backlog is cleared but the process is continually monitored to ensure backlog eliminated in the shortest possible timeframe.

The current average time taken to process new DA applications is 17 weeks. Following the full deployment of the new system later this month, a similar business process improvement initiative will be commenced and a programme will be put in place to eliminate backlog of new applications. In the meantime, temporary staff have been assigned to DA to support the modernisation project and overtime working is being operated as appropriate. It should be noted that the time required to process a new application in each of the three schemes can vary depending on the complexity of the individual circumstances and the information provided by the claimant. In addition, a request for a review or an appeal by a person adds to length of time taken to deal with the claim.

Diplomatic Representation Expenditure

Ceisteanna (155)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

155. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on developments arising from the joint statement on the future relationship between Ireland and Britain made by him and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, at Downing Street on 12 March 2012. [49391/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Joint Statement envisages a comprehensive programme of engagement between the two administrations, including close bilateral engagement between respective departments and regular meetings at Secretary General/Permanent Secretary level.

A range of bilateral meetings have taken place across a range of policy areas since the March 2012 Joint Statement. A plenary meeting of Secretaries General and Permanent Secretaries has been scheduled for 16 November in London, to consider progress to date and map out future work, looking ahead to the Annual Review Summit in 2013. This work programme is based on a number of areas as set out in the Joint Statement, including Energy & Climate Change, Economic & Financial Issues and Trade & Investment. The Joint Statement also provides for the preparation of a joint evaluation of the depth of economic relations between Britain and Ireland and of the opportunities for closer collaboration in support of growth to the mutual benefit of both islands.

The project is being overseen by a Steering Group comprising of senior officials from both jurisdictions. A wider consultative group consisting of key lead Departments is also being established and will be engaged throughout the consultancy. An interim report is to be delivered by mid February 2013 and a final report by end March. The Prime Minister and I have committed to meeting together at Annual Summits to review and oversee progress in the broad areas outlined in the Joint Statement. The next summit meeting is expected to take place in March 2013.

State Agencies

Ceisteanna (156)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

156. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the list of quasi-governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a list of quasi-governmental organisations and agencies under his remit that have been abolished since March 2011 or are scheduled to be abolished and the date on which they are due to be abolished; the date on which the body was created; the name of the body; the 2012 budget for the body; the number of employees of the body in 2012; the names of outside consultants hired by the organisation since march 2011; and his future plans for the body. [49392/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department. The NESDO was established under the NESDO Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). NESDO has a budget of €2.220m this year and employs 17.2 staff.

NESDO\NESC was one of the organisations to be critically reviewed as part of the programme of rationalisation of State agencies, announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 17 November 2011. My Department carried out the review. The review concluded that the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) was no longer required and should be abolished and that the NESC should be maintained as the statutory body. The review contained a number of other recommendations in relation to the functioning of NESC. My Department is proceeding to implement the recommendations of the Review. The abolition of NESDO as a statutory body will require primary legislation and the timelines for publication of this legislation will depend on the availability of necessary drafting resources.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (157)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

157. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49393/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department will achieve savings in 2013 in all areas of administrative activity through improvements in procurement processes, greater use of technology and shared services, redeployment of resources and restructuring of processes. However the final 2013 allocation is still under discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure Reform as we need to take account of additional requirements in respect of the Constitutional Convention, Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and reductions to my Departments employment control framework in the context of Government policy on public service staff number reductions.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (158)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

158. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the amount currently being spent on, or budgeted for by State agencies under his remit for spending, on the areas of communication, public relations, consultancy, advertising and human resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49659/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department. The NESDO was established under the NESDO Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). The expenditure by NESDO in 2012 to date under the headings requested by the Deputy is included in the following tabular statement:

Communications

Public Relations

Consultancy

Advertising

* Human Resources

Nil

Nil

€122

Nil

€1,300,710

*this figure represents the salary cost of the staff of NESDO.

Public Sector Staff Increment Payments

Ceisteanna (159)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

159. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in a tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between €0 to €10,000, €10,001 to €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,000 to €90,000, €90,000 to €100,000, €100,001 to €110,000, €110,001 to €120,000, €120,001 to €130,000, €130,001 to €140,000, €140,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €160,000, €160,001 and above; and if these figures include local authorities, vocational educational committees, commercial semi-State companies, non-commercial State agencies and bodies public sector retirees. [49861/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will provide the information requested in relation to my Department. In relation to the National Economic and Social Development Office, which comes under the aegis of my Department and which includes the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), no staff have retired to date.

Public Sector Reform Review

Ceisteanna (160)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

160. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the opportunities that persons in lower grades of the public service have been afforded in contributing to the reforms of the public service as sought in the public service agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50648/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department values all its staff and the contributions they make in helping to ensure its goals and objectives are achieved as efficiently and effectively as possible. Staff serving in all grades in my Department help formulate and contribute to the reforms being implemented in my Department. In particular, this involves discussion and agreement of reform plans under the Croke Park Agreement through Departmental Council meetings involving all staff associations. In addition, there are regular meetings between senior management and staff at Departmental and divisional level, quarterly meetings of all staff, and formal staff consultation processes in line the Department's Organisation Review Programme Action Plan and HR Strategy.

Human Rights Issues

Ceisteanna (161)

John Paul Phelan

Ceist:

161. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the Chinese Government the issue of alleged human rights violations in China, with particular reference to allegations of organ harvesting and persecution of Falun Gong worshippers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49419/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Human rights have been a priority of successive Irish Governments and are a key aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy. The Government is concerned about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. In April of this year, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with representatives from the Falun Dafa Association of Ireland and discussed the ways in which human rights issues, including those relating to the Falun Gong, are raised with the Chinese authorities both by Ireland and by the European Union.

Freedom of religious belief and expression is an issue which is discussed regularly with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral meetings and at European Union level. At these meetings, the Government re-iterates the great importance Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation. At the most recent session of the EU-China human rights dialogue on 29 May 2012, the EU again raised the issue of restrictions on Falun Gong practitioners. At this meeting, the EU also presented the Chinese side with a list of individual cases of concern, including those of several detained Falun Gong practitioners.

During the Taoiseach’s visit to China in March , he agreed a joint statement with Premier Wen Jiabao to establish a Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation between Ireland and China. The Strategic Partnership, which is a major step forward in bilateral relations, provides for a strengthened political and economic dialogue between China and Ireland and promotes closer consultation and cooperation between my Department and its Chinese counterpart. The Strategic Partnership reaffirms the commitment of Ireland and China to respect and safeguard human rights. As set out in the joint statement, Ireland and China will conduct exchanges of expertise in governance and rule of law on the basis of equality and mutual respect. We hope that, as China develops, it will be possible for further progress to be made in ensuring that individual rights are enjoyed by all China’s citizens. We will continue to address these matters in a frequent and regular dialogue, including the EU human rights dialogue and also bilaterally, in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.

State Agencies

Ceisteanna (162)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

162. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the amount currently being spent on, or budgeted for by State agencies under his remit for spending, on the areas of communication, public relations, consultancy, advertising and human resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49653/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are no State agencies under the remit of my Department.

International Relations

Ceisteanna (163)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

163. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider placing an Irish presence in Sarajevo for the EU heads of mission meetings as Ireland enters the EU Presidency to facilitate and monitor the peace process in Bosnia and prevent further disintegration of stability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49678/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland is a strong supporter of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective, and closely monitors developments in the country. Ireland’s embassy in Slovenia is accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina. While an Irish diplomatic presence in Sarajevo would be desirable, the considerable financial pressures of recent years have led to further reductions in Ireland’s already small diplomatic service. Severe resource and budgetary constraints mean that it will unfortunately not be possible to have a presence on the ground in Sarajevo during our Presidency. However our Ambassador and the Deputy Head of Mission in Ljubljana have travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina several times in the past year, and will continue to travel regularly, including to attend EU Heads of Missions meetings, and to report on developments there.

I am also pleased that the European External Action Service has built a strong presence in Sarajevo. Under the arrangements of the Lisbon Treaty, it is the EEAS rather than the rotating Presidency that takes the lead on the EU’s relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nevertheless, Ireland will continue to take a strong interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina and we stand ready to support and assist the country in its progress towards its EU perspective, both during our Presidency and beyond.

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Ceisteanna (164)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

164. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of officials by grade in his Department that will be working solely on the Presidency for the remainder of 2012; if redeployment or promotion has occurred; if they will be paid any additional allowances or pay; the way these officials were selected; if the selection procedure gave rise to any complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50025/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department was given a temporary reprieve for 2012 and 2013 from the impact of the Government’s Employment Control Framework and was also allocated 50 temporary additional posts by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in order to enable it to plan and fulfil its EU Presidency responsibilities and activities in the first half of next year. Most of the temporary additional staff required by the Department for the Presidency are now in situ and have been assigned as appropriate. At headquarters, eight staff have been redeployed to my Department from other Government Departments and Offices to which they are scheduled to return in summer 2013 – 4 Assistant Principal Officers, 3 Higher Executive Officers and one Clerical Officer. Ten Administrative Officers and 8 Clerical Officers have also been recruited on fixed-term contracts through the Public Appointments Service and 8 Interns were recruited on the same basis directly by the Department. One retired officer has been temporarily re-engaged until July 2013.

As regards Missions broad, the majority of Presidency-related posts have been assigned to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels, with smaller numbers allocated to other Missions including the Permanent Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva and those to the OSCE, the IAEA and a number of smaller international organisations in Vienna. The Presidency staffing plan for the Permanent Representation in Brussels was prepared following a carefully coordinated inter-departmental needs evaluation. Overall, the staffing of the Permanent Representation has been temporarily increased by 80 officers in various grades, the majority of whom have been assigned by other Departments and Offices at their own expense and from within their own staffing resources, with some 30 administrative and clerical staff temporarily locally recruited.

The additional staff assigned to the Department for the Presidency are directly engaged in Presidency-related activities in most cases, although most also have other duties and some have been assigned to positions vacated by experienced officers redeployed to Presidency roles. Presidency responsibilities will also impact in varying degrees on the work of a number of the core staff of my Department at home and abroad. Temporary promotions or acting-up allowances have not been a feature of the staffing arrangements for this Presidency. The Department is not aware of any complaints relating to the selection procedures.

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