Written Answers Nos. 287 - 304
287. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who are in receipt of carer's allowance who are not immediate family members; her plans to have those in receipt of the allowance Garda vetted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6299/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarers’ benefit and carers’ allowance are income supports not commercial considerations, payable to people who provide full-time care. The Department does not collect or collate information on the relationship of the carer to the person requiring care, therefore such information is not available. Where there is a commercial consideration and the carer is an employee, the responsibility for arranging Garda vetting rests with the employer or employing agency. I have no plans to introduce Garda vetting in respect of carers’ allowance recipients.
288. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6300/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe original jobseeker’s allowance claim for the person concerned was disallowed in September 2013. This was because when she returned from her holiday abroad, the duration of which was in excess of the allowable limits, she was requested to furnish documentation with regard to establishing her correct means, and this documentation was not forthcoming. The person concerned made a further claim for jobseeker’s allowance on 14 October 2013 which was disallowed as the requested documentation had still not been produced.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, the outcome of which has not yet been determined. Her claim for a rent supplement was also disallowed as her means could not be established, and this decision has also been appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned made a claim for basic supplementary welfare allowance on 5 December 2013. A new means assessment was carried out and her claim was awarded from that date. Her claim for a rent supplement was also re-instated from that date. A decision on whether or not the person concerned had an entitlement for the period that her claims were disallowed will be made by the Social Welfare Appeals Office when her appeals are heard.
289. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6307/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.
291. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of rent supplement cases that have transitioned into the housing assistance payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6356/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. There are currently approximately 79,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.
In July 2013 the Government approved the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Under HAP, responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with a long-term housing need will transfer from the Department of Social Protection to local authorities using HAP. Officials in the Department of Social Protection are working with those in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, who are leading the project, in developing proposals to give effect to this transfer. It is intended that the scheme will be piloted in Limerick local authority by end March 2014 with further roll out to selected local authorities during the year.
292. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any policy benefit to the practice of maintaining the tenant and landlord rent negotiations at a maximum of 92% of the market value in rents; if she has conducted any assessment to determine if this is a more realistic and sustainable way to operate the rent supplement scheme that would ensure landlord buy in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6359/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. There are currently approximately 79,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.
Revised rent limits under the rent supplement scheme came into force with effect from Monday 17 June 2013 and will be in place until 31 December 2014. The new rent limits have been determined following an extensive review of the private rental market based on the most up-to-date data available at that time. The rent limits have been set using the 35th percentile of availability at that time ensuring that sufficient housing is available for recipients of the scheme. The purpose of the rent limit review is to ensure availability of accommodation for rent supplement tenancies and not to provide rent supplement tenants with access to all housing in all areas while ensuring that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer is achieved.
There has been no assessment of the proposal by the Deputy to set maximum rent limits at 92% of the market value of rents. Increasing the maximum rent limits to 92% of the market value would have cost implications for the scheme and may also have the potential of pricing out working families on low incomes and students for suitable housing. The fact that some 79,000 people are being accommodated under the scheme shows that landlords are willing to engage with rent supplement recipients. I have no plans to revise the maximum rent limits or the methodology for determining the limits at this time.
The Department’s strategic policy direction is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of a short-term income support. In July 2013 the Government approved the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Under HAP, responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with a long-term housing need will transfer from the Department of Social Protection to local authorities using HAP. Officials in the Department of Social protection are working with those in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, who are leading the project, in developing proposals to give effect to this transfer. It is intended that the scheme will be piloted by the end of March 2014 in Limerick local authority with further roll out to selected authorities during the year.
293. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6377/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7 January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.
294. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total fund for family income supplement in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively; if €260 million in extra funding has been provided for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6390/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table.
Expenditure on Family Income Supplement, 2012 to 2014.
|
Revised Estimates Volume €m |
Out-turn €m |
|
|
2012 |
232.1 |
223.6 |
|
2013 |
229.6 |
261.5 |
|
2014 |
281.7 |
n/a |
The processing of applications for the family income supplement scheme is now totally up to date and delivering a fast and efficient service to lower-income working families. The backlog in claim processing was reduced substantially in 2013 from nearly 11,000 at the start of the year to just over 2,500 at the end of the year. All first-time claims and renewals are now processed promptly on receipt. This has led to an increase in the numbers on this scheme and to the increased allocation for 2014.
295. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person sells a permanent residence and is on jobseeker's allowance can continue to receive his or her payment while temporarily living in private rented accommodation and if that is time limited. [6401/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo qualify for jobseeker’s allowance a person must satisfy certain conditions, including a means test. The value of a customer’s principal private residence is not taken into account in the assessment of means. Where a person vacates their residence, either on a temporary basis or indefinitely due to old age or incapacity, the capital value of that property is exempt from the assessment of means for social assistance purposes (other than Supplementary Welfare Allowance). In addition, where a person moves out of the family home and the property is offered for sale, the capital value of that property is not assessed for a maximum period of two years from the date on which the property was vacated and remains vacant and unsold. When the property is sold, the capital value is assessable. Alternatively, after a period of two years for sale, the estimated capital value of the property becomes assessable. Where the customer moves from the property in order to make it available for renting purposes, the capital value is assessable immediately and the rental income is disregarded.
297. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 is not being allowed go on the live register despite numerous requests to do so. [6403/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned came to Ireland in November 2011 to join his wife who is in employment in the State. He made an application for jobseeker’s allowance in November 2012 which was disallowed, as based on his spouse’s earnings, his means were deemed to be above the allowable limit. He has never been employed in Ireland, and as he has not paid any social insurance contributions he is not entitled to receive credited contributions and form part of the Live Register.
299. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W was refused jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6414/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned received jobseeker’s benefit from 24 January 2013 until 23 October 2013, when his entitlement expired as he had received the maximum number of days payable under this scheme. He then immediately claimed jobseeker’s assistance, which is a means-tested payment, from 24 October 2013. The person concerned has access to capital investment funds which is taken into account when assessing his means. His means have been assessed at €970.00 per week, and the rate of payment for his family size is €342.00 per week. His jobseeker’s allowance claim was therefore disallowed, as his means were deemed to be in excess of the weekly rate of jobseeker’s assistance appropriate to his family size and circumstances. Notifications for appealing the decision were included with the disallowance notice.
300. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce legislative changes in order to emphasise employer responsibility for pension schemes and for funding future pension protection schemes, as is the case in most other EU countries. [6418/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn developing the measures contained in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act (No.2) 2013, consideration was given to imposing an obligation on employers to secure a minimum level of funding before a scheme could be wound up and to the provision of a pension protection scheme. You will be aware that defined benefit pension schemes in Ireland are set up and maintained by employers on a voluntary basis. There has never been a statutory obligation on employers under Irish law to contribute to their pension scheme (although schemes rules can place some level of obligation). Most defined benefit pension schemes in Ireland were established under a trust deed. As part of the process of establishing each occupational pension scheme, an employer undertakes to be bound by the rules of the scheme and to undertake certain liabilities and duties defined therein. The position regarding the employers and employees contribution obligation in a trust deed varies from deed to deed.
Employers have, by and large, made great efforts to support and deliver on the promise made to scheme members. This process is generally managed through dialogue between trustees, employers and members, where efforts are made to reach agreement regarding the steps that must be taken to secure scheme viability. This may include a mix of measures such as increased employer/member contributions, longer working and amended benefits.
Given the uncertainties as to the overall impact and potential for unintended consequences of applying an obligation on an employer to secure a minimum level of scheme funding in the event of the wind up of a scheme, it was not considered appropriate to make provision for such a legislative obligation. While some countries with very large defined benefit markets provide pension protection schemes it was considered that such an approach was not appropriate in the Irish context.
The Social Welfare and Pensions (No.2) Act 2013, provides that, in the event of the wind up of an underfunded pension scheme where the employer is insolvent, the State guarantees that existing pension benefits will be protected to a level of 50%, with pensions of €12,000 or less being 100% protected. The Pension Board is actively engaged with the schemes which do not meet the scheme funding requirement in order to assist these schemes, particularly schemes in a weak funding position, achieve a more sustainable funding position. The overriding priority in this area is to ensure that pensioners and members of pension schemes are protected and the future viability and sustainability of their schemes is ensured and made safer.
301. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review is taking place of State non-contributory pension applicants who have capital; if there is an age limit on the applicants being reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6432/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory (SPNC) is a means tested payment. Reviews of customer income, capital and investments are, therefore, undertaken on an on-going basis. In addition a customer must be residing in the State in order to be eligible to claim this payment. Ensuring that a customer receives the correct payment in line with their entitlements is an integral part of the day-to-day work of my Department. In 2013 over 4,000 SPNC customers were reviewed. These reviews are undertaken based on a number of criteria including length of time since last review, a change in the circumstances which has come to the attention of the Department and information received from other government departments and agencies. A customer may also request a review to be undertaken when their circumstances have changed and they want to avoid an overpayment occurring.
My Department is currently undertaking a number of reviews including SPNC recipients who may have significant amounts of capital and investments which could affect their means. Reviews are being conducted on a case by case basis irrespective of the customers’ age but taking into account their general health and wellbeing and their ability to conduct their own financial affairs.
302. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6433/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5 December 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.
303. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exception will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 regarding an exceptional needs payment to cover expenses related to a continuous cardiac monitor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6442/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned received an exceptional needs payment in December 2013 towards covering the cost of her telephone bill, including the line rental. Such payments are once-off in nature and are issued to provide assistance in cases where there is an urgent need due to an exceptional and unforeseen circumstance; they are not intended to cover expenses which are of a recurring nature. Under social welfare legislation, as the urgent need for the person concerned has been addressed it is not possible to provide further funding to towards her telephone costs, despite her medical condition. It is open to the person concerned to request an independent review of this decision by contacting the Reviewing Officer as detailed in the decision letter.
304. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by her Department and agencies under her aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6461/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework. In accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform procedures, procurements of goods and services in excess of €25,000 ex. VAT and all IT procurements in excess of €10,000 ex. VAT are advertised on E-tenders.
Goods and services are only procured by my Department without competitive tender in exceptional circumstances, in accordance with criteria set out in EU Directive 18/2004 and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform procedures. Article 31 of EU Directive 18/2004 sets out particular circumstances for use of single or restricted tendering for procurements of goods or services over the EU threshold (currently €130,000 (VAT exclusive) for Government Departments); justifications include particularly unforeseeable extreme urgency or exclusive technical expertise of selected provider of services or proprietorial nature of goods required. These conditions are also used in the Department as guidelines in determining the suitability of single tenders in the cases which are below EU threshold. In accordance with Department of Finance Circular 40/02 all procurement contracts which the Department proposes to award without a competitive process which exceed €25,000 in value (exclusive of VAT) are reviewed by my Department’s Internal Audit Unit and an Annual Report of such instances is submitted by the Accounting Officer (Secretary General) to the Comptroller & Auditor General.
I have supplied tables regarding IT and non IT contracts separately. The following table relates to IT contract awards for the entire period.
|
Purpose of Contract |
Name of Contractor |
Original Contract Value |
Competitive Process |
|
Payment & Agency Reconciliation Platform (PARP) Support & Development |
Fujitsu Ireland |
€116,883 |
Y |
|
IS Internal Audit Services |
Deloitte & Touché |
€170,748 |
Y |
|
Digital Documents |
Inpute Technologies |
€61,500 |
Y |
|
Confidential Forensic Services |
RITS Information Security |
€99,000 |
Y |
|
Security Partner to provide ongoing Information Security Support (2012-2014) |
Deloitte |
€83,025 |
Y |
|
Developing architecture for Intreo |
Compass Point |
€4,600 |
Y |
|
CoreExpense Travel & Subsistence System Upgrade & CoreTime & Attendance System Upgrade |
Core International |
€80,980 |
N |
|
Payment & Generic Scheme & Payments Processing - Deduction at Source for LPT |
Accenture |
€1,227,284 |
Y |
|
Payment & Agency Reconciliation Platform (PARP) Support & Development and Oracle Support & Upgrade |
Fujitsu Ireland |
€2,750,000 |
Y |
|
Welfare.ie Redesign 2012 |
Hewlett Packard |
€569,958 |
Y |
|
Modification to Jobseekers smartphone app |
Monsoon Consulting |
€6,865 |
Y |
|
BOMi Central Test |
Bearing Point |
€1,199,250 |
Y |
|
BOMi Release & Environment Mgmt. |
Bearing Point |
€1,445,250 |
Y |
|
BOMi Business Change |
Bearing Point |
€2,386,200 |
Y |
|
BOMi Production Support |
Bearing Point |
€3,693,075 |
Y |
|
Mobile Opportunity Exploration |
Accenture |
€33,388 |
N |
|
Corporate Portal (Stór) Support & Maintenance |
Hewlett Packard |
€600,000 |
Y |
|
Diet Supplement Diet Cost Report |
Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute |
€4,000 |
Y |
|
Business Object Modelling Team |
Deloitte |
€826,560 |
Y |
|
Support to Regional Development Team |
Deloitte |
€1,564,560 |
Y |
|
Enhancement of Means Assessment Object on the BOMi |
Accenture |
€391,829 |
Y |
|
Business Objects Modelling Advice & Expertise (2013-2015) |
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
€463,710 |
Y |
|
BOMi Technical Development Advice (2013-2015) |
Haywood Associates Ltd |
€524,694 |
Y |
|
Predictive Analytics Model |
Accenture |
€15,744 |
Y |
|
SEPA Compliance Project |
Accenture |
€169,316 |
N |
|
Technical Change Services in Medical Referral & Case Management Service |
Bearing Point |
€607,285 |
Y |
|
Digital Documents Support & Maintenance |
Inpute Technologies |
€114,390 |
Y |
|
Provision of support for the Naked Objects Framework (NOF) |
Naked Objects Group Ltd |
€153,750 |
N |
|
Strategic input to Technical Architecture Group |
Microsoft Consulting |
€53,109 |
N |
|
FÁS ICT Applications Systems Review |
Accenture |
€44,772 |
Y |
In relation to non IT contracts, the information requested is shown in the table.
|
Purpose of Contract |
Name of Contractor |
Original Contract Value |
Competitive Process |
|
Site investigation re. smoke testing/waste pipes/hygiene monitoring/odours in DSP Cobh, Co Cork |
Employment Health Advisors Ltd |
€2,023.35 |
Y |
|
Repeat investigation contamination July 2012, Ballymun SWLO, Dublin |
Wright Environmental Services |
€1,198.02 |
Y |
|
Exam indoor air quality June/July 2012, Floor 1, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Dublin |
Wright Environmental Services |
€3,382.50 |
Y |
|
Investigate contamination after leak July 2012, Ballymun SWLO, Dublin |
Wright Environmental Services |
€2,445.24 |
Y |
|
Arklow, Co Wicklow; Tallaght, Dublin and Kings Inn, Dublin, SWLO risk assessments regarding reception areas |
Nifast |
€1,845.00 |
Y |
|
Research Contract- Analysis & Measurement of Poverty and Deprivation 1 year extension of 2008-2011 Contract |
ESRI |
€81,494.31 |
Y |
|
Editing Services for research publications |
Elizabeth Costello |
€650 |
Y |
|
Review of Pension Charges |
Technical Guidance Ltd |
€1,230 |
N |
|
Review of Pension Charges |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
€61,500 |
Y |
|
Design Work for Intreo |
Creative Inc |
€23,407 |
Y |
|
Actuarial Review of Social Insurance Fund |
KPMG |
€153,750 |
Y |
|
Pathways to Work – Consultation |
Daniel Finn |
€650 |
N |
|
Evaluation of the JobBridge National Internship Scheme |
Indecon |
€60,725 |
Y |
|
Analysis & measurement of Deprivation & Poverty (2012 Programme) |
ESRI |
€81,230 |
N |
|
OECD Review of Long Term Pension Policy |
OECD |
€130,000 |
N |
|
Intreo Corporate Identity |
Language |
€22,730 |
Y |
|
Long-term Pensions Policy Research(Review of Pensions Priority) |
Mercer Ireland Ltd |
€18,150 |
Y |
|
External Service Delivery - Employment Services |
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion London |
€114,260 |
Y |
|
Provision of Financial Advisory Services |
PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC) |
€7,380 |
Y |
|
Guidance documentation for deciding & appeals officers |
Mel Cousins and Associates |
€2,400 |
N |
|
Diet Supplement Diet Cost Report |
Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute |
€4,000 |
Y |
|
Long-term Pensions Policy Research(Development of Report on Auto Enrolment) |
TOR Financial Consulting Ltd |
€6,956 |
N |
|
Profiling of Live Registrants to identify those most at risk of Labour Market Disadvantage |
ESRI |
€33,745 |
Y |
|
Review of Best International Practice re In-Work Supports |
Mel Cousins and Associates |
€10,000 |
Y |
|
Culture & Values Review(Employee Engagement Programme) |
Axiom Consulting |
€122,692 |
Y |
|
Planning re Youth Guarantee Implementation |
OECD |
€50,000 |
N |
|
Health & Safety Review of Department of Social Protection premises, 77 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 |
CPL Training Ltd, trading as Nifast Health and Safety Training |
€1,100 |
Y |
|
Research Contract- Analysis & Measurement of Poverty and Social Exclusion (AMPSE) 2013-2015 Total Award €240,000 (2013 is year 1 of 3 year contract) |
ESRI |
€67,979 |
Y |
No new contracts have been recorded to date in 2014. Information for bodies under the aegis of the Department is not immediately available and my officials will provide this information, which is being collated, separately to the Deputy when it is available.
