Written Answers Nos. 128-136
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for guardianship payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52389/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe deciding officer dealing with the claim of the person concerned is awaiting further information before a decision can be made on the applicant’s eligibility to guardian’s payment. On receipt of the outstanding information the applicant will be notified of the decision without delay.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 21 November 2013, if it was acknowledged, when the original decision was made by the deciding officer, that the parent of the child in question made no contact with their child; if a determination was made at that juncture as to by whom the child was being maintained; if a solicitor’s letter verifying the position was brought to the attention of the deciding officer or the appeals officer; if the deciding officer or the appeals officer has since been made aware of the circumstances with a view to making the relevant payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52390/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe claim of the person concerned to Guardians payment contributory was disallowed on 30 May 2012 as the deciding officer was satisfied that the care arrangements in place for the child were on foot of a private mutual agreement between the child’s mother and the applicant, and therefore the child was not deemed to be abandoned. The applicant was notified of this decision. The Solicitor’s letter referred to was received, together with the applicant’s appeal, in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16th October 2012 and was considered during the appeal process. The Appeals Officer upheld the decision of the deciding officer on 15th March 2013. No new facts or evidence have been presented since the decision of the Appeals Officer.
131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the abolition of the transition pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52451/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreasing State pension age and the abolition of the State pension (transition) are steps that have been taken to ensure the sustainability of pensions into the future. The decision to reform State pension was taken in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives. These changes are already provided for in legislation. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin in 2014 with the standardising of State pension age for all at 66 years and the cessation of State pension transition. The State pension age will then increase to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 years in 2028.
It should be noted that until the 1970s, the standard age for receipt of State pension was 70 years of age. This applied at a time when longevity was much lower and working patterns were more likely to be physically demanding. State pension (transition) was introduced in 1970 when it was known as the retirement pension. It was designed to bridge the gap between the standard social welfare pension age, which at that time was 70 years of age, and retirement age. Over time, the age for State pension contributory was reduced to 66 years. The retirement condition associated with State pension transition has been criticised as a barrier to working.
The Deputy may wish to note that a significant number of people coming on to State pension (transition) in 2012 did not come from work as many were already on other social welfare schemes. In December 2012, there were approximately 14,400 State pension (transition) claims in payment and of those, just 12.5 per cent came from work with over 50 per cent coming from other social welfare schemes such as illness benefit, jobseekers benefit and assistance, invalidity and carers, indicating that significant numbers of people are leaving the workforce for a variety of reasons well in advance of State pension age. In terms of social welfare supports available to those at age 65, all short term social welfare schemes are payable to age 66.
132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of discussions between his Department officials in the office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Galway County Council in relation to the replacement of a bridge in Sean a Phéistín, Conamara, in respect of which there is a 1.5 tonne restriction at present; the requirements that have been laid down by his Department to the city council in respect of this replacement; the delay that these requirements will cause to this necessary work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52318/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the weight restriction that has been placed by Galway County Council on the bridge referred to by the Deputy and of the difficulties this has caused for local people. The position is, however, that the requirements in regard to the proposed replacement of the bridge in question arise under the Planning and Development Acts. Galway County Council, as a planning authority, must meet the requirements of planning law, which, in regard to planning and development matters, transposes the EU Habitats Directive into Irish law. This requires competent authorities such as the Council to screen, and where necessary, assess projects such as this one for their impact on European nature sites.
As Minister, I am a statutory consultee under the Planning and Development Acts and, in fulfilment of that role, my Department provides expert advice in regard to the relevant ecological issues relating to proposals such as this. The purpose of that advice is to assist planning authorities in meeting their obligations under national and EU law for the protection of nature. My Department has provided advice to Galway County Council in regard to the proposed project and it is now a matter solely for the Council to ensure that it proceeds in compliance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Acts. I can assure the Deputy that my Department remains available to the Council should it require any further advice or clarification in relation to the matter.
133. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the extraordinary delay in finalising the threat response plan in respect of the hen harrier population in Mullaghareirk and Bogra SPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52221/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe designation of six Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the hen harrier was done to meet the requirements of the European Birds Directive and in part response to an infringement case that resulted in an adverse finding against Ireland in 2007 regarding Ireland’s implementation of certain aspects of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Certain activities within these sites require consent from State authorities. These include the granting of forestry consents by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and consent by planning authorities for developments such as wind-farms. The granting of such consents must be done in compliance with the requirements of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive.
Following a recorded decline in the numbers of breeding hen harriers in several of these SPAs, the EU Commission has expressed concerns in regard to how such consents relating to these sites have been assessed. The issue of forestry consents has been subject to separate infringement proceedings under the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive. In response to these developments, my Department has begun the process of formulating a hen harrier threat response plan under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 which will, among other things, explore possible ways forward that can meet the requirements of the EU Directives while providing assistance to consent authorities in how to meet their legal obligations regarding these sites. It is hoped that the Plan, once finalised, will address the concerns voiced by landowners, users and other stakeholders and it is anticipated that it will address forestry, planning and farm-payment issues.
134. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published yet. [52266/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Annual Report for 2012 is published and available on my Department's website, with an option to read in either Irish or English, at the following direct link:
http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/AboutUs/AnnualReports/2012/
135. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Nure Bog in County Westmeath or any portion thereof has been purchased by the National Parks and Wildlife Service from a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52293/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sale to my Department of a large private holding in Nure Bog from the company referred to in the Deputy's Question was completed in June, 2012.
136. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas déanta ag Cumann Tarrthála Sléibhe na Gaillimhe chuig Údarás na Gaeltachta ar ionad stórála do na feithiclí agus don trealamh atá acu; má tá, cén dearcadh atá ag an Údarás ar an iarratas agus mura bhfuil, an mbreathnódh an tÚdarás go báúil ar iarratas ón gcumann agus an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an tseirbhís dheonach thábhachtach seo do Ghaeltacht Chonamara á cur i gcuntas; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [52312/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta nach bhfuil aon iarratas faighte acu go dáta ón eagraíocht atá luaite ag an Teachta. Sá chás go dtagann iarratas uathu, déanfar é sin a mheas sa ghnáthbhealach.
