Written Answers Nos. 315-327
315. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if the figure provided for June 2013 of 895 participants on drug rehabilitation places includes support workers; if she will provide a breakdown showing the numbers of T-coded places participants in recovery and support workers who are subject to ordinary community employment conditions. [36141/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2013 there were 895 CE participants on drug rehabilitation places, this includes 158 support workers. (See Table 1 below).
This is a significant improvement in the number of participants on CE drug rehabilitation places when compared to January 2012 when a total of 578 (including support workers) were recorded.
Table 1: Ring-fenced Drug Rehabilitation, June 2013
|
- |
Referred Clients |
Support Workers |
Total |
|
Total |
737 |
158 |
895 |
June 2013: CSM IT Extracts
The take-up of CE places will be closely monitored. The Department is committed to reforming CE to ensure value for money, progression of the job seeker and support for community services.
316. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review for carer's allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36195/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the application for carer’s allowance from the person in question was refused on 4th April 2013 on the ground that, based upon the evidence provided, the person being cared for was not in need of full-time care and attention.
The person in question subsequently submitted additional evidence in support of the application and requested a review of the decision.
The review has been completed and, having considered the totality of the evidence, the deciding officer has confirmed the original decision to refuse payment of carer's allowance.
The person in question was notified of the review outcome on the 16th of July 2013 and of his right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
317. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to open a Intreo office in Ashbourne, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36205/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe full range of Intreo employment and support services for customers in the Ashbourne area are provided from the Department's Intreo Centre in Finglas, Dublin 11. Activation Group Engagement sessions are held locally in Ashbourne in order to further facilitate customers. In addition, Community Welfare Services for the area are administered from Ashbourne Health Centre.
The Intreo Programme is focused on transforming the existing Social Welfare Local Offices (SWLOs) into Intreo Offices over the period 2012-2014. There is no SWLO in Ashbourne, County Meath, and consequently, there are no plans to open an Intreo Office in the town.
318. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount that has been raised in each year since 2011 in changes to PRSI at budgets; if she will list those measures and the amount each was worth; the carryover the measures announced in Budget 2013 have into the 2014 financial year; if this counts towards the savings required in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36272/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table details the revenue raising PRSI measures introduced in Budget 2011 and subsequent Budgets and the yield as estimated at the time of the relevant Budget. PRSI measures which increase the yield to the Social Insurance Fund do not count towards the achievement of departmental expenditure ceilings.
Table: PRSI Budget Measures, 2011 to 2013
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
- |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2011 Budget Measures |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Abolition of annual earnings ceiling for employed contributors |
100.00 |
145.00 |
145.00 |
145.00 |
|
Class S- Self-Employed contributions increased to 4% |
53.00 |
40.00 |
40.00 |
40.00 |
|
Extension of PRSI to public office holders |
3.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
|
Increase in rate of PRSI to 4% for pre-1995 public servants with earnings exceeding €75,036 pa. |
12.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
15.00 |
|
Abolition of employee PRSI relief for pension contributions. |
20.00 |
30.00 |
30.00 |
30.00 |
|
Abolition of PRSI relief on public service pension levy |
55.00 |
60.00 |
60.00 |
60.00 |
|
Abolition of exemptions relating to approved profit sharing schemes (Employee element only, employer element reversed in 2011 Jobs Initiative) |
1.09 |
2.17 |
2.17 |
2.17 |
|
Abolition of approved save as you earn schemes (Employee element only, employer element reversed in 2011 Jobs Initiative) |
0.03 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
|
Abolition of exemptions relating to share awards (Employee element only, employer element reversed in 2011 Jobs Initiative) |
1.90 |
3.53 |
3.53 |
3.53 |
|
Abolition of exemptions relating to unapproved share option gains (Employee element only, employer element reversed in 2011 Jobs Initiative) |
0.54 |
0.81 |
0.81 |
0.81 |
|
Total 2011 Budget measures |
246.55 |
299.59 |
299.59 |
299.59 |
|
2012 Budget measures |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Abolition of employer PRSI relief on employee pension contributions |
- |
57 |
74 |
74 |
|
Total 2012 Budget measures |
n/a |
57 |
74 |
74 |
|
2013 Budget measures |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Abolition of employee weekly allowance |
- |
- |
265 |
289 |
|
Increase in minimum annual contribution for self-employed contributors |
- |
- |
13 |
18 |
|
Abolition of exemption for modified PRSI contributors on additional income received from self-employment or any unearned income |
- |
- |
8 |
12 |
|
Abolition of exemption for employees on full PRSI for unearned income (with effect from 2014). |
- |
- |
- |
14 |
|
Total 2013 Budget measures |
n/a |
n/a |
286 |
333 |
319. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently delayed from taking up a community employment scheme place due to a backlog in Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36273/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present over 1,200 applications to the Central Garda Vetting Unit from Community Employment (CE) are awaiting approval. It is worth noting that there has been an increase of 43% in the volume of CE applications for Garda Vetting this year.
The Department of Justice estimates that the current average processing time for applications is approximately 12 to 14 weeks from the date of receipt of the application. However, it advises that, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this time frame being exceeded.
To ensure that the services supported by CE are not disrupted as a result of the current delays in the vetting process, Department of Social Protection staff have been told to exercise flexibility and sanction extensions of employment where sponsors can demonstrate that such extensions are necessary.
The Department will continue to monitor the situation and provide guidance to sponsor organisations on rescheduling their recruitment process to better anticipate delays in garda vetting.
320. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36298/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer's decision.
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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
321. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide data on the savings made by her Department in 2011 and 2012 by the reductions in maximum rent levels in north Kildare and other counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36325/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide 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. There are approximately 84,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for the scheme in 2013.
The overall savings for 2011 and 2012 as a result of changes in the maximum rent limits under the scheme was some €24 million and €20 million respectively. Statistics are not maintained on a county basis.
The Department has recently completed a further review of the maximum rent limits with new limits in place effective from mid-June 2013.
Question No. 322 withdrawn.
323. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional staff resources and the hours spent on each case in 2012 and 2013 that deal with social welfare fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36328/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe control process is an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the Department and all staff involved in the administration of the various social welfare schemes are acutely aware of the need to implement appropriate controls at every stage of the process.
There are some 640 staff dedicated to control activities. This includes approximately 400 Social Welfare and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Inspectors. The remainder of the staff are based in scheme headquarters or other control units. Each major headquarter scheme section has a dedicated control unit which initiates, undertakes and co-ordinates all control activities within their respective areas. These units are also involved in data-matching projects in order to select cases for review. While some 'desk review' work is carried out at the scheme control units, the detailed investigations are sent to Inspectors, including the SIU.
The SIU carry out a wide range of control activities and projects which include reviewing means tested claims and entitlements, investigating fraud and abuse and carrying out employer inspections. The Unit works jointly with Revenue staff in the Joint Investigation Units and also does other inter-agency work with other bodies such as NERA, Customs and the Gardaí.
The Deputy will be aware that staff who work across the Department's local office structure have a strong control dimension to their work. Equally, the 1,700 or so Community Welfare Service and FÁS staff who transferred to the Department in the recent years are very aware of the need for appropriate controls to be applied across the range of schemes they operate.
Overall, I believe that a more integrated approach to fraud control to now be realised across the Department as a single customer view for control purposes is now available.
In addition, the Deputy should also note that:
- Activation and Control Teams operate at local level. They provide a focal point for the management and co-ordination of all the activities and resources in relation to the control of schemes at local level. They augment general control activity with particular approaches based on local knowledge and circumstances; and
- Medical Assessors carry out medical review examinations and desk reviews/assessments of medical reports. This is in order to provide a second medical opinion for the guidance of Deciding and Appeals Officers on all medical aspects of the illness schemes.
Control activity is, therefore, carried out in a number of ways by different staff and teams across the Department. The breakdown of the number of hours spent on each case is not available.
324. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to delays that persons on community employment schemes are experiencing in having Garda vetting applications processed; the total number of persons who have not been able to participate on a community employment scheme due to the failure of vetting to be completed in a timely manner; if she has highlighted this problem to her colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36359/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAuthorised staff from the Department of Social Protection are in touch with the Garda Central Vetting Unit on a regular basis. At present over 1,200 applications to the Central Garda Vetting Unit from Community Employment (CE) are awaiting approval. It is however worth noting that there has been an increase of 43% in the volume of CE applications for Garda Vetting this year.
The Department of Justice estimates that the current average processing time for applications is approximately 12 to 14 weeks from the date of receipt of the application. However, it advises that, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this time frame being exceeded.
In response to increase demands in garda vetting additional resources have been allocated to the Garda Vetting Unit to address this matter. It is expected that the delays in vetting will reduce over the next number of months as the new staff are deployed.
In the interim, to ensure that the services supported by CE are not disrupted as a result of the current delays in the vetting process, Department of Social Protection staff have been told to exercise flexibility and sanction extensions of employment where sponsors can demonstrate that such extensions are necessary.
The Department will continue to monitor the situation and provide guidance to sponsor organisations on rescheduling their recruitment process to better anticipate delays in garda vetting.
325. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of each State agency and commercial State company under the aegis of her Department, if she will provide details of the name of each pension scheme; details of the salary percentage contributions made by the employer and the employees; the latest information on the funding position of the scheme; if any changes are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36378/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board and the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman come under the aegis of my Department. All schemes are unfunded. Details in relation to salary contributions are set out in the following tabular statements.
PENSIONS BOARD
|
PENSIONS SCHEME |
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION ( All employer contributions are remitted to Department of Social Protection) |
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION * |
|
Pensions Board Staff Pension Scheme |
25% of pensionable pay |
1.5% of pensionable pay plus 3.5% of net pensionable pay |
|
Pensions Board Spouses’ & Children’s Pension Scheme |
25% of pensionable pay for staff appointed post 1995 and 30% of pensionable pay for staff appointed pre 1995 |
1.5% of pensionable pay |
|
Single Public Service Pension (Is applicable for New Entrants since Jan 2013) |
25% of Pensionable Pay |
3% of pensionable pay plus 3.5% of net pensionable pay |
CITIZENS INFORMATION BOARD
|
PENSION SCHEME |
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION |
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION* |
|
The Citizens Information Board Employee Superannuation Scheme |
N/A |
National Rehabilitation Board staff (NRB) appointed pre April 95 who transferred to Comhairle (formerly CIB) – 5% of pensionable pay NRB staff appointed post April 95 who transferred to Comhairle - 1.5% of pensionable pay plus 3.5% of net pensionable pay National Social Services Board staff who transferred to Comhairle and Citizens Information Board staff (formerly Comhairle) -- 1.5% of pensionable pay plus 3.5% of net pensionable pay |
|
The Citizens Information Board Spouses' & Children's Scheme. |
N/A |
1.5% of pensionable pay |
|
Single Public Service Pension (Is applicable for New Entrants since Jan 2013 |
N/A |
3% of pensionable pay plus 3.5% of net pensionable Pay |
OFFICE OF THE PENSIONS OMBUDSMAN
Pension Scheme only relates to the Pension Ombudsman as all other staff in the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman are serving civil servants
|
PENSION SCHEME |
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION |
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION |
|
Pension Ombudsman's Superannuation Scheme |
N/A |
1.5% of pensionable pay plus 3.5% of net pensionable pay |
|
Contributory Pension Scheme for the Spouse, Civil Partner and Children of the Pensions Ombudsman |
N/A |
1.5% of pensionable pay |
* Pensionable Pay (Basic salary plus any pensionable allowances)
Net Pensionable Pay (Pensionable pay less twice the annual rate of the maximum Contributory State Pension (CSP) currently payable by the Department of Social Protection.
326. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of miles claimed for and the amount of travel expenses paid to her and each Minister of State in her Department, in respect of their functions as a Minister in her Department. [36393/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn taking office, this Government reformed the transport arrangement for Ministers which has radically reduced the cost of travel. The Government decision involved confining the use of State cars from 1 May 2011 to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence. As a result, the average cost of providing transport has been reduced by 65% - from an average cost of €280,000 per minister in 2010 to a current annual estimate of €100,000 per annum.
I now use my own car for official business and have appointed two civilian drivers in accordance with Department of Finance instructions on Ministerial appointments. The travel/mileage allowance 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 number of miles I have claimed for since 1 May 2011 is 55,695 and the amount is €17,966.15.
A further €857 in respect of travel expenses has been paid to me since taking up office.
There is no Minister of State attached to my Department.
327. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the number of defined benefit pension schemes that submitted funding proposals to the Pensions Board prior to the deadline of 30 June; the total number of such schemes required to make such a return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36395/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process of submitting a funding proposal requires that trustees arrange for an actuary to carry out a valuation of the DB pension scheme's liabilities and assets at regular intervals and submit an actuarial valuation certificate to the Pensions Board outlining the funding position of the scheme. The date of each scheme valuation must be not later than 3 years after the last date of the previous valuation for that scheme.
If the actuary certifies that the scheme has insufficient assets to satisfy the Funding Standard, the schemes trustees must ensure that a funding proposal is forwarded to The Pensions Board with the actuarial funding certificate. The funding proposal must outline measures which ensure that the scheme could reasonably be expected to satisfy the Funding Standard by 2023 (in line with changes made in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2012). Following approval of the funding proposals, schemes report to the Pensions Board on their compliance with the funding proposal on an annual basis .
The suspension of the Funding Standard in 2008 meant that trustees were not required to submit funding proposals, however some schemes continued to comply during this time.
Therefore, not all schemes had to submit funding proposals by the 30th June deadline, depending on the last date of valuation, and some schemes may already have funding proposals in place and approved by the Pensions Board to deal with their deficits.
With the reinstatement of the Funding Standard, approximately 300 schemes were due to send in funding proposals by the 30th June 2013. 212 of these schemes did not submit funding proposals.
The Pensions Board has, by now, formally written to the schemes that have not submitted funding proposals to ascertain their particular circumstances. The Board will decide what steps to take scheme by scheme on a measured basis and taking account of the individual scheme circumstances.
The reason for the delay in trustees responding will become clearer as the Pensions Board engages with schemes individually. The Funding Standard had been suspended since 2008 with the date extended on a number of occasions, and trustees need to adjust to the fact that the regulatory structure has been reinstated. A number of schemes have already confirmed to the Board that submission of their funding standard is imminent. There also appeared to be an unfounded expectation that the date would be extended again and this contributed to the number that missed the deadline.
Following engagement by the Pensions Board and once pension schemes have submitted their funding proposals, it will then be possible within the coming months for the Board to provide a more accurate indication of the level of under-funding in DB pension schemes. It will also allow for the impact of the many measures already introduced to assist DB schemes to be assessed, including the potential benefits to schemes of the use of sovereign annuities/bonds.
