Written Answers Nos. 95-101
95. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the file pertaining to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 has not been forwarded to the appeals office by her Department; when it will be provided to that office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48519/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an appeal by the person concerned was registered on 20 June 2013 and in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Appeals Office contacted the appellant and asked her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal. This information was submitted on the 17 July 2013 and in accordance with the statutory procedures, the Department was asked to provide the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer’s comments on the grounds of the appeal.
These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 6 November 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
96. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to contributory pension a person has if that person has ten continuous years of paid reckonable contributions from age 55 to 65, if previous legislation entitled a person with such a contribution history to a full contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48568/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State pension is a very valuable asset and it is important, that those who receive it have made a significant contribution towards it during a working life.
In order to qualify for a minimum State pension contributory, a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions which include:
- commencing insurable employment at least 10 years before pension age,
- payment of a minimum of 520 qualifying contributions and
- achieving a yearly average of at least 10 qualifying contributions, paid or credited, over their working life.
This requirement for 260 paid contributions to 520 paid contributions changed in 2012, but had been provided for in legislation since 1997. Notwithstanding this change, it is not possible for anyone to achieve a maximum pension with ten years paid contributions. The qualifying criteria as set out above provides for a minimum pension. Recent State pension reform measures have not changed this rule.
A yearly average of 48 contributions or more over the working life is required in order to qualify for a maximum pension. The longer a person works and pays employment contributions, the higher the amount they achieve in pension payment in retirement.
97. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm if it is compulsory that social welfare recipients must now receive payments via bank transfer; the reason for same; if there are circumstances in which a person may have payments via An Post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48577/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is a key player in the payment services sector in Ireland with over 87 million payments issued to customers in 2012. The current range of payment options includes payment to an account in a bank, building society or certain credit unions that have been authorised by the banking and credit union regulators, payment at a local post office or payment by cheque.
The Department has undertaken a root and branch examination of its payment processes, methods and approaches. This resulted in the preparation of a Payment Strategy which was approved by Government and will be published before the end of the year. The aim of the Payment Strategy is to modernise the Department’s payment delivery approach by delivering payments to customers electronically and in a way that facilitates direct debits, ATM withdrawal, point of sale deductions and online payments by customers. The Strategy has the goal of reducing significantly the level at which welfare payments are made in cash. At present, 50% of all social welfare payments are disbursed in cash. This amounted to approximately €9.5 billion distributed over 43.7 million transactions last year. The analysis undertaken for the Payment Strategy indicates the very significant variation in the cost of different payment methods. The cost of issuing a welfare payment in cash is six and a half times more than paying to an account in a financial institution and three times more than issuing a payment by cheque rather than EFT.
The Payment Strategy sets out a multi-phased approach to be implemented over five years. The first phase has commenced with contract negotiations underway with An Post to maintain existing over the counter cash services. This will ensure that customers can continue to receive their payments in cash at local post offices for the foreseeable future. It provides an assurance in the continuity of cash payments to customers for up to six years while other aspects of the Strategy are progressing.
The next phase of the Strategy will be the progressive migration of customers to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments. The move to electronic payments for social welfare transactions is a trend that has been apparent for some time, and we have seen that most new social welfare customers (aside from jobseekers) are choosing EFT as their preferred method of payment. Last year four out of every five new customers claiming child benefit elected to be paid into an account. The Department does not intend migrating higher risk customers to an electronic payment until appropriate and robust measures are defined and fully implemented to mitigate any potential for increased risk of fraud within an electronic payments environment.
Moving to electronic payments will require a significant effort to assist and support suitable customers over the five year period. The Department will work energetically to help customers and their representatives in the transition period. The Deputy can, however, be assured that customers will not be refused a payment simply because they cannot receive it electronically.
98. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will investigate the acquisition, for the State, of Tullira Castle, Adrahan, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48444/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTullira Castle, built in 1882 with an adjoining fifteenth-century tower, is included in the Record of Monuments and Places maintained by my Department under the National Monuments Acts. Accordingly, it benefits from the range of protections afforded by that designation, including a requirement that any proposed works at the site must be notified to my Department. The Castle is further safeguarded through its listing in Galway County Council’s Record of Protected Structures under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012.
The property has been wonderfully restored and maintained by its owners. I do not consider that it would be of benefit to the property to include it among the national monuments or historic properties currently in my ownership, as Minister, even if the financial resources were available to me for this purpose.
99. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will report on the engagement between his Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta on the upgrade of Pearse's Cottage, Rosmuc, particularly in the context of the centenary commemorations. [48573/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the Capital Stimulus Package announced in the Budget, funding of €6m was provided for 2014 in respect of the 1916 Commemorations Programme. A number of projects come under the scope of this programme, including the GPO, the Military Archives and Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc. While no specific amount has been allocated at this juncture from the €6m to any of these projects, I understand that it is intended to address that issue in the context of the forthcoming publication of the Revised Estimates Volume.
Further consideration will have to be given, in consultation with the various key stakeholders, to the appropriate steps to be taken to advance the project at Pearse's Cottage, taking into account the overall resources that will be available under the 1916 Commemorations Programme. In this context, my Department recently held an initial meeting with the various stakeholders, including the OPW, Galway County Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Bord Fáilte, to progress the matter.
The Deputy can be assured that officials from my Department are in regular contact with Údarás na Gaeltachta in relation to this matter.
100. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a county breakdown of the amount of money spent and units upgraded under the better energy homes scheme in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [48485/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a county breakdown of the amount of money spent and units upgraded under the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [48486/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.
The Better Energy Homes and the Better Energy Warmer Homes Schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme.
The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar thermal with the works being undertaken by privately appointed contractors.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria of the scheme and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. The scheme is also delivered through a separate strand via an area based approach. Measures available include: draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation and are free of charge to the customer.
The table provides details of the amount of Exchequer funding disbursed, and the number of homes upgraded with energy efficiency measures, by county, in respect of both Schemes, in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013.
Better Energy Homes Scheme:
|
-- |
2010 |
- |
2011 |
- |
2012 |
- |
2013 |
- |
- |
- |
|
County |
Homes Completed |
Grant Value |
Homes Completed |
Grant Value |
Homes Completed |
Grant Value |
Homes Completed |
Grant Value |
Total Homes Completed |
Total Grant Value |
|
Carlow |
465 |
€388,327 |
445 |
€356,523 |
255 |
€253,720 |
154 |
€128,970 |
1,319 |
€1,127,540 |
|
Cavan |
1,015 |
€887,190 |
1,098 |
€970,264 |
437 |
€344,955 |
154 |
€130,020 |
2,704 |
€2,332,430 |
|
Clare |
2,926 |
€2,480,184 |
2,613 |
€2,896,688 |
998 |
€1,066,900 |
360 |
€308,340 |
6,897 |
€6,752,112 |
|
Cork |
5,521 |
€5,672,383 |
7,492 |
€8,503,414 |
4,434 |
€4,299,060 |
2,200 |
€1,873,405 |
19,647 |
€20,348,262 |
|
Donegal |
1,633 |
€1,413,339 |
1,487 |
€1,330,593 |
579 |
€531,175 |
154 |
€135,305 |
3,853 |
€3,410,413 |
|
Dublin |
6,066 |
€8,451,049 |
7,300 |
€12,219,962 |
5,373 |
€7,726,534 |
2,761 |
€3,318,266 |
21,500 |
€31,715,810 |
|
Galway |
4,087 |
€3,362,419 |
4,141 |
€3,457,468 |
1,966 |
€1,559,360 |
759 |
€577,801 |
10,953 |
€8,957,048 |
|
Kerry |
3,067 |
€2,833,275 |
2,546 |
€2,721,696 |
1,045 |
€1,059,895 |
468 |
€445,740 |
7,126 |
€7,060,606 |
|
Kildare |
1,118 |
€1,195,745 |
1,179 |
€1,317,942 |
747 |
€739,766 |
357 |
€322,095 |
3,401 |
€3,575,548 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,216 |
€975,171 |
1,070 |
€1,009,134 |
465 |
€469,430 |
169 |
€156,390 |
2,920 |
€2,610,125 |
|
Laois |
711 |
€572,928 |
755 |
€603,926 |
366 |
€253,940 |
120 |
€111,953 |
1,952 |
€1,542,747 |
|
Leitrim |
280 |
€256,000 |
247 |
€246,470 |
163 |
€148,970 |
43 |
€36,900 |
733 |
€688,340 |
|
Limerick |
3,410 |
€3,344,491 |
3,743 |
€5,087,731 |
1,696 |
€2,341,510 |
526 |
€484,440 |
9,375 |
€11,258,171 |
|
Longford |
521 |
€439,543 |
379 |
€359,850 |
172 |
€183,760 |
57 |
€41,690 |
1,129 |
€1,024,843 |
|
Louth |
1,174 |
€1,041,784 |
1,095 |
€1,055,967 |
721 |
€515,744 |
435 |
€289,780 |
3,425 |
€2,903,275 |
|
Mayo |
1,186 |
€1,035,540 |
1,767 |
€1,704,304 |
898 |
€934,388 |
206 |
€235,974 |
4,057 |
€3,910,206 |
|
Meath |
1,226 |
€1,134,225 |
1,216 |
€1,283,818 |
678 |
€654,323 |
434 |
€402,840 |
3,554 |
€3,475,207 |
|
Monaghan |
869 |
€967,375 |
892 |
€1,090,371 |
413 |
€444,450 |
97 |
€87,760 |
2,271 |
€2,589,956 |
|
Offaly |
533 |
€497,545 |
525 |
€496,608 |
319 |
€322,150 |
136 |
€119,400 |
1,513 |
€1,435,703 |
|
Roscommon |
845 |
€708,530 |
801 |
€771,392 |
363 |
€329,445 |
119 |
€101,560 |
2,128 |
€1,910,927 |
|
Sligo |
607 |
€538,448 |
570 |
€545,042 |
350 |
€307,602 |
117 |
€108,340 |
1,644 |
€1,499,432 |
|
Tipperary |
2,139 |
€2,014,001 |
2,500 |
€3,202,252 |
1,093 |
€1,346,078 |
366 |
€333,922 |
6,098 |
€6,896,253 |
|
Waterford |
1,624 |
€1,572,646 |
1,965 |
€2,683,427 |
1,184 |
€1,380,139 |
438 |
€386,055 |
5,211 |
€6,022,267 |
|
Westmeath |
740 |
€722,960 |
756 |
€792,999 |
369 |
€340,810 |
147 |
€147,430 |
2,012 |
€2,004,199 |
|
Wexford |
2,252 |
€1,769,837 |
1,835 |
€1,561,634 |
839 |
€631,036 |
356 |
€243,620 |
5,282 |
€4,206,127 |
|
Wicklow |
731 |
€932,952 |
819 |
€1,326,849 |
503 |
€764,609 |
261 |
€298,110 |
2,314 |
€3,322,519 |
|
Grand Total |
45,962 |
€45,207,885 |
49,236 |
€57,596,324 |
26,426 |
€28,949,749 |
11,394 |
€10,826,106 |
133,018 |
€142,580,064 |
Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme:
|
Counties |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 YTD |
Total |
|
Carlow |
537 |
213 |
220 |
128 |
1,098 |
|
Cavan |
364 |
323 |
267 |
107 |
1,061 |
|
Clare |
349 |
1,353 |
345 |
200 |
2,247 |
|
Cork |
3,581 |
2,406 |
1,140 |
632 |
7,759 |
|
Donegal |
717 |
922 |
634 |
516 |
2,789 |
|
Dublin |
2,836 |
2,756 |
1,893 |
1,458 |
8,943 |
|
Galway |
1,191 |
2,133 |
580 |
380 |
4,284 |
|
Kerry |
762 |
587 |
575 |
263 |
2,187 |
|
Kildare |
1,318 |
377 |
196 |
137 |
2,028 |
|
Kilkenny |
436 |
445 |
209 |
113 |
1,203 |
|
Laois |
622 |
412 |
94 |
80 |
1,208 |
|
Leitrim |
299 |
256 |
220 |
169 |
944 |
|
Limerick |
808 |
1,016 |
1,019 |
1,283 |
4,126 |
|
Longford |
297 |
199 |
164 |
141 |
801 |
|
Louth |
1,167 |
360 |
157 |
120 |
1,804 |
|
Mayo |
928 |
1,251 |
983 |
547 |
3,709 |
|
Meath |
954 |
310 |
241 |
118 |
1,623 |
|
Monaghan |
318 |
248 |
286 |
146 |
998 |
|
Offaly |
643 |
586 |
258 |
206 |
1,693 |
|
Roscommon |
536 |
533 |
319 |
161 |
1,549 |
|
Sligo |
628 |
511 |
278 |
194 |
1,611 |
|
Tipperary |
1,609 |
1,571 |
624 |
177 |
3,981 |
|
Waterford |
1,003 |
387 |
372 |
222 |
1,984 |
|
Westmeath |
732 |
278 |
194 |
128 |
1,332 |
|
Wexford |
730 |
713 |
705 |
391 |
2,539 |
|
Wicklow |
926 |
242 |
202 |
184 |
1,554 |
|
- |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total* |
Grand Total |
|
- |
24,291 |
20,388 |
12,175 |
8,201 |
65,055 |
*To 7 November 2013
